As far back as 15 years ago, being essential part and South-Eastern border of powerful "empire" of Soviet Union, the country, we are going to tell you about, was totally closed for outside look. Today, when the veil has eventually been thrown off, this mountainous land along with its ancient people has lots to tell and show to inquisitive traveler.

The country is officially called "Kyrgyz republic", implying that it has chosen republican political system and, in its development, it sticks to democratic principles. The republic is headed by president, elected with nation-wide voting. However, for the rest of the world the country is known under the name "Kyrgyzstan", appellation which might be translated as "dwelling of Kyrgyz people". And this "residence" is unique. It is unique with every of its qualities and orientations, and it is unique with the ability to tolerate all these, sometimes contrary and even mutually exclusive, qualities to coexist on the common territory. Such amazing "symbiosis of opposite" can be found nowhere in the world.

On the one hand, this is the land of very old vivid oriental culture. That's why, there are so many specimens of oriental architecture: monumentally-religious edifices concerned with Islam - minarets, mosques, mausoleums of medieval khans and military leaders, as well as fortified caravanserais. On the other hand, capital Bishkek and provincial centers are the models of Soviet municipal engineering and town-planning. All the government and state facilities represent Soviet architecture of the epoch of so-called "socialistic realism".
On the one hand, being Central Asian country, Kyrgyzstan is very warm, even hot land with sharply continental climate; on the other hand, snow-covered summits of the Tien-Shan bear on their slopes the second largest glacier in the world - Southern Enilcheck with the length of 62 km.

On the one hand, having spent 70 years under the Communist regime, the country is still directed to Russia in its political and economical development, on the other hand, it actively cooperates with West. Suffice it to say, that being strategic partner of the USA, Kyrgyzstan is the only state out of the post-Soviet countries, where the American Air Base is located. There are a lot of foreign organizations (such as U.N.O., OSCE etc.), embassies and representatives. Several TV channels in English, French, German, Italian, Spain and other languages are broadcasted in Bishkek. Not long ago was established American University. People readily adopt everything European, and English language is getting more and more popular with each passing day.

Kyrgyzstan is inhabited by frank friendly people, who, by the way, like to be photographed with foreign tourists. For that sake you can stop absolutely any passer-by and he, smiling, will answer positively.

That attracts to Kyrgyzstan modern travelers, people with various interests in such fields like culture, history and architecture of Central Asia and Silk Road; Soviet Union and Communism as well as those, who are interested in present-day geopolitical situation. In fact, Kyrgyzstan, due to its geographical location, is featured with the main part in the region.
What does endow that hospitable people with such tolerance to opposite views, fancies and ideology? The answer to the question consists in particular mountainous relief of the country and in its multifarious types of climatic conditions. You know many ethnographers as well as writers and journalists associate forming of nation's outlook with environment and climate it lives in.

Consequently, ancient stock-breeder, nomadizing with his herds from one pasture to another, saw all the diversity of vegetative and animal worlds, comprehended that there were places, different from his environment, where snow never melted or scorching choppy soil vainly asked for moisture.  It was filling his mind with understanding of word's versatility, making all Kyrgyz people as a whole such open to learning everything new, and, hence, such hospitable.