View source for Geography of Kyrgyzstan

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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Location map+ |Kyrgyzstan |width=300 |float=right |caption=Map of Kyrgyzstan |places=
{{Location map~ |Kyrgyzstan |lat=42.87472|long=74.61222 |label=Bishkek }}
{{Location map~ |Kyrgyzstan |lat=40.05304|long=70.81601 |label=Batken|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Kyrgyzstan |lat=40.93333|long=73.00000 |label=Jalal-Abad|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Kyrgyzstan |lat=41.43333|long=76.00000 |label=Naryn|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Kyrgyzstan |lat=40.52361|long=72.79897 |label=Osh }}
{{Location map~ |Kyrgyzstan |lat=42.51667|long=72.23333 |label=Talas }}
{{Location map~ |Kyrgyzstan |lat=42.48333|long=78.40000 |label=Karakol }}
}}

[[Kyrgyzstan]] is a landlocked nation in [[Central Asia]], with an area of 199,951 km².<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/kyrgyzstan/ "The World Factbook: Kyrgyzstan"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622174332/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/kyrgyzstan/ |date=22 June 2021 }} United States Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 12 January 2010</ref> The national territory extends about {{convert|900|km|abbr=on}} from east to west and {{convert|410|km|abbr=on}} from north to south.<ref name=":0">{{citation-attribution| {{cite encyclopedia|title=Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan: country studies|publisher=[[Federal Research Division]], [[Library of Congress]]|location=Washington, D.C.|url=https://www.loc.gov/item/97005110/|last=Olcott|first=Martha Brill|date=1997|editor-last=Curtis|editor-first=Glenn E.|edition=1st|pages=119–125|isbn=0-8444-0938-3|oclc=36364151|access-date=10 September 2021|archive-date=20 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520055121/https://www.loc.gov/item/97005110/|url-status=live}}|entry=Kyrgyzstan: Physical Environment}}</ref>

Kyrgyzstan is bordered on the east and southeast by [[China]], on the north by [[Kazakhstan]], on the west by [[Uzbekistan]], and on the south by [[Tajikistan]]. The borders with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in the [[Fergana Valley]] are rather complicated.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kamp |first=Marianne |date=2017 |editor-last=Megoran |editor-first=Nick |title=Broken Ties in the Ferghana Valley |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/48614284 |journal=Current History |volume=116 |issue=792 |pages=285–287 |doi=10.1525/curh.2017.116.792.285 |jstor=48614284 |issn=0011-3530}}</ref> One consequence of the [[Stalinism|Stalinist]] division of Central Asia into five republics is that many ethnic [[Kyrgyz people]] do not live in Kyrgyzstan.<ref name=":0" /> Three [[enclave]]s, legally part of the territory of Kyrgyzstan but geographically removed by several kilometers, have been established, two in Uzbekistan and one in Tajikistan.<ref name=":0" />

The terrain of Kyrgyzstan is dominated by the [[Tian Shan]] and [[Pamir Mountains|Pamir]] mountain systems, which together occupy about 65% of national territory.<ref name=":0" /> The [[Alay Mountains|Alay range]] portion of the Tian Shan system dominates the southwestern crescent of the country, and, to the east, the main Tian Shan range runs along the boundary between southern Kyrgyzstan and China before extending farther east into China's [[Xinjiang|Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region]].<ref name=":0" /> Kyrgyzstan's average elevation is {{convert|2750|m|abbr=on}}, ranging from {{convert|7439|m|abbr=on}} at [[Peak Jengish Chokusu]] to {{convert|394|m|abbr=on}} in the [[Fergana Valley]] near [[Osh]].<ref name=":0" /> Almost 90% of the country lies more than {{convert|1500|m|abbr=on}} above sea level.<ref name=":0" />

==Topography and drainage==
[[File:Kyrgyzstan 1996 CIA map.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Detailed map of Kyrgyzstan]]
[[File:Kazakhstan.A2001150.0615.500m.jpg|thumb|right|250px|This [[MODIS]] true-color image shows portions of Kazakhstan (top) and Kyrgyzstan at the bottom. The lake at the top of the image is [[Lake Balkash]].]]
[[File:Kyrgyzstan Topography.png|thumb|250px|Topography]]
[[File:Blank Kyrgyzstan Map.png|thumb|250px|right|Blank map]]
The mountains of Kyrgyzstan are geologically young, so that the physical terrain is marked by sharply uplifted peaks separated by deep valleys.<ref name=":0" /> There is also considerable glaciation,<ref name=":0" /> with the largest glacier being the [[Engilchek Glacier]].<ref name="travel map">{{cite book|title=Kyrgyzstan Travel Map|publisher=Rarity Firm, LTD|location=Bishkek}}</ref> Kyrgyzstan's 6,500 distinct glaciers are estimated to hold about {{convert|650|km3|cumi}} of water<ref name=":0" /> and cover 8,048 square kilometers (5,000 square miles) or 4.2% of Kyrgyzstan.<ref name="travel map" /> Only around the [[Chüy Valley|Chüy]], [[Talas Valley|Talas]], and [[Fergana Valley|Fergana]] valleys is there relatively flat land suitable for large-scale agriculture.<ref name=":0" />

Because the high peaks function as moisture catchers, Kyrgyzstan is relatively well watered by the streams that descend from them.<ref name=":0" /> None of the rivers of Kyrgyzstan are navigable, however.<ref name=":0" /> The majority are small, rapid, runoff streams. Most of Kyrgyzstan's rivers are tributaries of the [[Syr Darya]], which has its headwaters in the western Tian Shan along the Chinese border.<ref name=":0" /> Another large runoff system forms the [[Chu (river)|Chu (Chüy)]], which arises in northern Kyrgyzstan, then flows northwest and disappears into the deserts of southern Kazakhstan.<ref name=":0" /> [[Issyk-Kul|Ysyk-Köl]] is the second largest body of water in Central Asia, after the [[Aral Sea]], but the saline lake has been shrinking steadily, and its mineral content has been rising gradually.<ref name=":0" /> Kyrgyzstan has a total of about 2,000 lakes with a total surface area of {{convert|7000|km²|sqmi|-1}}, mostly located at altitudes of 3,000 to 4,000 meters.<ref name=":0" /> Only the largest three, however, occupy more than {{convert|500|km²|sqmi}} each.<ref name=":0" /> The second- and third-largest lakes, [[Song-Köl]] and [[Chatyr-Köl]] (the latter of which also is saline), are located in the [[Naryn (river)|Naryn River Basin]].<ref name=":0" />

Natural disasters have been frequent and varied.<ref name=":0" /> [[Overgrazing]] and [[deforestation]] of steep mountain slopes have increased the occurrence of [[mudslide]]s and avalanches, which occasionally have swallowed entire villages.<ref name=":0" /> In August 1992, a severe earthquake left several thousand people homeless in the southwestern city of [[Jalal-Abad]].<ref name=":0" />

==Climate==
[[File:Koppen-Geiger_Map_KGZ_present.svg|thumb|upright=1.4|Kyrgyzstan map of Köppen climate classification]]
The country's climate is influenced chiefly by the mountains, Kyrgyzstan's position near the middle of the Eurasian landmass, and the absence of any body of water large enough to influence weather patterns.<ref name=":0" /> Those factors create a distinctly continental climate that has significant local variations.<ref name=":0" /> Although the mountains tend to collect clouds and block sunlight (reducing some narrow valleys at certain times of year to no more than three or four hours of sunlight per day), the country is generally sunny, receiving as much as 2,900 hours of sunlight per year in some areas.<ref name=":0" /> The same conditions also affect temperatures, which can vary significantly from place to place.<ref name=":0" /> In January the warmest average temperature ({{convert|-4|°C|disp=or}}) occurs around the southern city of Osh, and around Ysyk-Köl.<ref name=":0" /> The latter, which has a volume of {{convert|1738|km3|cumi|0|sp=us}}, does not freeze in winter.<ref name=":0" /> Indeed, its name means "hot lake" in Kyrgyz.<ref name=":0" /> The coldest temperatures are in mountain valleys.<ref name=":0" /> There, readings can fall to {{convert|-30|°C}} or lower; the record is {{convert|-53.6|°C}}.<ref name=":0" /> The average temperature for July similarly varies from {{convert|27|°C|1}} in the Fergana Valley, where the record high is {{convert|44|°C}}, to a low of {{convert|-10|°C}} on the highest mountain peaks.<ref name=":0" /> Precipitation varies from {{convert|2000|mm|in|1|sp=us}} per year in the mountains above the Fergana Valley to less than {{convert|100|mm|in|1|sp=us}} per year on the west bank of Ysyk-Köl.<ref name=":0" />

{{Weather box
|width = auto
|location = Bishkek (1991–2020, extremes 1936–present)
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|collapsed = yes
|Jan record high C = 20.0
|Feb record high C = 25.4
|Mar record high C = 30.5
|Apr record high C = 34.7
|May record high C = 36.7
|Jun record high C = 40.9
|Jul record high C = 42.1
|Aug record high C = 39.7
|Sep record high C = 37.1
|Oct record high C = 34.2
|Nov record high C = 29.8
|Dec record high C = 23.7
|year record high C = 42.1
|Jan high C = 2.9
|Feb high C = 5.1
|Mar high C = 12.1
|Apr high C = 18.7
|May high C = 24.1
|Jun high C = 29.5
|Jul high C = 32.4
|Aug high C = 31.4
|Sep high C = 25.6
|Oct high C = 18.5
|Nov high C = 10.3
|Dec high C = 4.6
|year high C = 17.9
|Jan mean C = −2.7
|Feb mean C = −0.5
|Mar mean C = 6.2
|Apr mean C = 12.8
|May mean C = 17.8
|Jun mean C = 22.9
|Jul mean C = 25.5
|Aug mean C = 24.2
|Sep mean C = 18.7
|Oct mean C = 11.6
|Nov mean C = 4.2
|Dec mean C = −1.1
|year mean C = 11.6
|Jan low C = −7.1
|Feb low C = −4.9
|Mar low C = 1.0
|Apr low C = 6.9
|May low C = 11.2
|Jun low C = 16.1
|Jul low C = 18.4
|Aug low C = 16.9
|Sep low C = 11.7
|Oct low C = 5.6
|Nov low C = −0.5
|Dec low C = −5.2
|year low C = 5.8
|Jan record low C = −31.9
|Feb record low C = −34.0
|Mar record low C = −21.8
|Apr record low C = −12.3
|May record low C = −5.5
|Jun record low C = 2.4
|Jul record low C = 7.4
|Aug record low C = 5.1
|Sep record low C = −2.8
|Oct record low C = −11.2
|Nov record low C = −32.2
|Dec record low C = −29.1
|year record low C = −34.0
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 28
|Feb precipitation mm = 37
|Mar precipitation mm = 51
|Apr precipitation mm = 75
|May precipitation mm = 60
|Jun precipitation mm = 34
|Jul precipitation mm = 19
|Aug precipitation mm = 15
|Sep precipitation mm = 19
|Oct precipitation mm = 37
|Nov precipitation mm = 44
|Dec precipitation mm = 37
|year precipitation mm = 456
|Jan snow depth cm = 5
|Feb snow depth cm = 3
|Mar snow depth cm = 1
|Apr snow depth cm = 0
|May snow depth cm = 0
|Jun snow depth cm = 0
|Jul snow depth cm = 0
|Aug snow depth cm = 0
|Sep snow depth cm = 0
|Oct snow depth cm = 0
|Nov snow depth cm = 1
|Dec snow depth cm = 3
|year snow depth cm = 5
|Jan humidity = 75
|Feb humidity = 75
|Mar humidity = 71
|Apr humidity = 63
|May humidity = 60
|Jun humidity = 50
|Jul humidity = 46
|Aug humidity = 45
|Sep humidity = 48
|Oct humidity = 62
|Nov humidity = 70
|Dec humidity = 75
|year humidity = 62
|Jan rain days = 3
|Feb rain days = 5
|Mar rain days = 9
|Apr rain days = 12
|May rain days = 13
|Jun rain days = 10
|Jul rain days = 10
|Aug rain days = 6
|Sep rain days = 6
|Oct rain days = 8
|Nov rain days = 7
|Dec rain days = 4
|year rain days = 93
|Jan snow days = 9
|Feb snow days = 9
|Mar snow days = 5
|Apr snow days = 2
|May snow days = 0.3
|Jun snow days = 0
|Jul snow days = 0
|Aug snow days = 0
|Sep snow days = 0
|Oct snow days = 1
|Nov snow days = 4
|Dec snow days = 7
|year snow days = 37
|Jan sun = 137
|Feb sun = 128
|Mar sun = 153
|Apr sun = 194
|May sun = 261
|Jun sun = 306
|Jul sun = 332
|Aug sun = 317
|Sep sun = 264
|Oct sun = 196
|Nov sun = 144
|Dec sun = 114
|year sun = 2546
|source 1 = Pogoda.ru.net<ref name="BishkekPogoda">{{Cite web |title=Weather and Climate-The Climate of Bishkek |url=http://www.pogodaiklimat.ru/climate/38353.htm |access-date=3 January 2022 |publisher=Weather and Climate |language=ru |archive-date=8 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208185256/http://www.pogodaiklimat.ru/climate/38353.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> 
|source 2 = NOAA (sun, 1961–1990)<ref name="NOAABishkek">{{Cite web |title=Frunze (Bishkek) Climate Normals 1961–1990 |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/TABLES/REG_II/KY/38353.TXTT |access-date=8 February 2015 |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] }}{{Dead link|date=May 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
|date=August 2010
}}

{{Weather box
|width = auto
|location=Osh
|metric first=yes
|single line=yes
|collapsed=yes
|Jan high C = 0.8
|Feb high C = 3.8
|Mar high C = 11.7
|Apr high C = 20.3
|May high C = 25.6
|Jun high C = 30.5
|Jul high C = 32.4
|Aug high C = 30.8
|Sep high C = 26.5
|Oct high C = 19.1
|Nov high C = 10.5
|Dec high C = 3.2
|year high C =

|Jan mean C = -3.8
|Feb mean C = -1.0
|Mar mean C = 6.4
|Apr mean C = 14.1
|May mean C = 18.9
|Jun mean C = 23.0
|Jul mean C = 24.9
|Aug mean C = 23.1
|Sep mean C = 18.5
|Oct mean C = 12.0
|Nov mean C = 4.8
|Dec mean C = -1.0

|Jan low C = -8.3
|Feb low C = -5.8
|Mar low C = 1.1
|Apr low C = 7.9
|May low C = 12.3
|Jun low C = 15.6
|Jul low C = 17.4
|Aug low C = 15.5
|Sep low C = 10.5
|Oct low C = 4.9
|Nov low C = -0.8
|Dec low C = -5.1
|year low C =

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 35
|Feb precipitation mm = 44
|Mar precipitation mm = 55
|Apr precipitation mm = 52
|May precipitation mm = 47
|Jun precipitation mm = 18
|Jul precipitation mm = 12
|Aug precipitation mm = 6
|Sep precipitation mm = 8
|Oct precipitation mm = 38
|Nov precipitation mm = 32
|Dec precipitation mm = 32

|source 1 = Climate-data.org<ref name="Climate-data.orgOsh">{{cite web 
| url = https://en.climate-data.org/location/961302/ 
| title = Climate: Osh 
| access-date = March 20, 2018 
| archive-date = 30 June 2018 
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180630000401/https://en.climate-data.org/location/961302/ 
| url-status = live 
}}</ref>
|date = March 2018
}}

{{Weather box
|width = auto
|location = Karakol
|metric first = yes
|collapsed = Yes 
|single line = yes
|Jan high C = -4.7
|Feb high C = -2.9
|Mar high C = 4.8
|Apr high C = 14.0
|May high C = 18.9
|Jun high C = 23.1
|Jul high C = 25.5
|Aug high C = 25.0
|Sep high C = 20.2
|Oct high C = 12.7
|Nov high C = 3.4
|Dec high C = -2.3

|Jan mean C = -10.4
|Feb mean C = -8.5
|Mar mean C = -0.5
|Apr mean C = 7.8
|May mean C = 12.8
|Jun mean C = 16.7
|Jul mean C = 19.0
|Aug mean C = 18.2
|Sep mean C = 13.4
|Oct mean C = 6.4
|Nov mean C = -1.9
|Dec mean C = -7.6

|Jan low C = -16.1
|Feb low C = -14.0
|Mar low C = -5.8
|Apr low C = 1.7
|May low C = 6.8
|Jun low C = 10.4
|Jul low C = 12.5
|Aug low C = 11.4
|Sep low C = 6.7
|Oct low C = 0.1
|Nov low C = -7.1
|Dec low C = -12.9
| precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 12
|Feb precipitation mm = 14
|Mar precipitation mm = 23
|Apr precipitation mm = 39
|May precipitation mm = 55
|Jun precipitation mm = 54
|Jul precipitation mm = 57
|Aug precipitation mm = 55
|Sep precipitation mm = 39
|Oct precipitation mm = 31
|Nov precipitation mm = 20
|Dec precipitation mm = 14

|Jan humidity = 69.4
|Feb humidity = 69.6
|Mar humidity = 59.4
|Apr humidity = 46.6
|May humidity = 47.2
|Jun humidity = 45.0
|Jul humidity = 43.0
|Aug humidity = 41.2
|Sep humidity = 42.5
|Oct humidity = 49.6
|Nov humidity = 58.7
|Dec humidity = 68.7
|source 1 = Weatherbase (humidity) <ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=603157&cityname=Karakol-Ysyk-K%F6l-Kyrgyzstan&units=metric
| title = The Climate of Karakol
| publisher = Weatherbase
| access-date = 31 July 2014
| archive-date = 24 February 2020
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200224191222/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=603157&cityname=Karakol-Ysyk-Kl-Kyrgyzstan&units=metric
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
|source 2 = Climate-Data.org (temp & precip) <ref>{{cite web
| url = http://en.climate-data.org/location/3092/
| title = Climate: Karakol
| publisher = Climate-Data.org
| access-date = 19 May 2016
| archive-date = 16 August 2018
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180816025555/https://en.climate-data.org/location/3092/
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
}}

== Climate change==
{{Excerpt|Climate change in Kyrgyzstan}}

==Environmental issues==
{{Main|Environmental issues in Kyrgyzstan}}

Kyrgyzstan has been spared many of the enormous environmental problems faced by its Central Asian neighbors, primarily because its designated roles in the Soviet system involved neither heavy industry nor large-scale cotton production.<ref name=":0" /> Also, the economic downturn of the early 1990s reduced some of the more serious effects of industrial and agricultural policy.<ref name=":0" /> Nevertheless, Kyrgyzstan has serious problems because of inefficient use and pollution of water resources, [[land degradation]], and improper agricultural practices.<ref name=":0" /> The country is prone to earthquakes, and major flooding occurs during the snow melt.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}

===Water resources===
The Kyrgyz Republic is the only Central Asian state where water resources are fully generated within its own territory. The water originates from the often glacier covered mountain ranges and its abundance is a vital component for agriculture and the production of hydro‐electric power. The mountainous Kyrgyz Republic is an essential "water tower" for irrigated arable farming on arid plain territories. In addition, the impressive glacierized mountain landscape implies a considerable potential for [[tourism]].<ref name="Murat">{{Cite web|url=http://geb.uni-giessen.de/geb/volltexte/2014/10962/pdf/DuishonakunovMurataly_2014_06_25.pdf|title=Glaciers and permafrost as water resource in Kyrgyzstan - distribution, recent dynamics and hazards, and the relevance for sustainable development of Central Asian semiarid regions|last=Duishonakunov|first=Murataly Turganalievich|date=25 June 2014|website=University of Giessen, Germany|language=en|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=28 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628051322/http://geb.uni-giessen.de/geb/volltexte/2014/10962/pdf/DuishonakunovMurataly_2014_06_25.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:E8092-Bishkek-Alamedin-River.jpg|thumb|Alamedin River does not carry a lot of water in September]]

Although Kyrgyzstan has abundant water running through it, its water supply is determined by a post-Soviet sharing agreement among the five Central Asian republics.<ref name=":0" /> As in the Soviet era, Kyrgyzstan has the right to 25% of the water that originates in its territory, but the new agreement allows Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan unlimited use of the water that flows into them from Kyrgyzstan, with no compensation for the nation at the source.<ref name=":0" /> [[Kyrgyzstan]] uses the entire amount to which the agreement entitles it, but utilization is skewed heavily in favor of agricultural irrigation.<ref name=":0" /> During the Soviet era, Kyrgyzstan and [[Tajikistan]] shared their abundant water resources with [[Uzbekistan]], [[Kazakhstan]], and [[Turkmenistan]] during summer, and these three nations shared oil and gas with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in winter. According to the [[International Crisis Group]], the skewed system that is currently in place could cause irreversible regional destabilization, and needs to be dealt with by international actors to avoid a crisis in [[Central Asia]].<ref>International Crisis Group. "[http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/europe/central-asia/233-water-pressures-in-central-asia.pdf Water Pressures in Central Asia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520103226/http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/europe/central-asia/233-water-pressures-in-central-asia.pdf |date=20 May 2016 }}", [http://www.crisisgroup.org CrisisGroup.org] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603105331/http://www.crisisgroup.org/ |date=3 June 2020 }}. 11 September 2014. Retrieved 7 October 2014.</ref> In 1994 agriculture accounted for about 88% of total water consumption, compared with 8% by industry and 4% by municipal water distribution systems.<ref name=":0" /> According to World Bank experts, Kyrgyzstan has an adequate supply of high-quality water for future use, provided the resource is prudently managed.<ref name=":0" /> However, in Central Asia water problems are on the rise. The Kyrgyz Republic exports water to irrigate the neighbouring states Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. To prevent conflicts, water allocation and use, and in particular the role of agriculture as major water user, have become very important questions in the development discourse in recent years, and will continue to be in the future.<ref name="Murat" />

Irrigation is extremely wasteful of water because the distribution infrastructure is old and poorly maintained.<ref name=":0" /> In 1993 only an estimated 5% of required maintenance expenditures was allocated.<ref name=":0" /> {{Asof|1997}}, an estimated 70% of the nation's water supply network is in need of repair or replacement.<ref name=":0" /> The quality of drinking water from this aging system is poorly monitored—the water management staff has been cut drastically because of inadequate funds.<ref name=":0" /> Further, there is no money to buy new water disinfection equipment when it is needed.<ref name=":0" /> Some aquifers near industrial and mining centers have been contaminated by heavy metals, oils, and sanitary wastes.<ref name=":0" /> In addition, many localities rely on surface sources, making users vulnerable to agricultural runoff and livestock waste, which seep gradually downward from the surface.<ref name=":0" /> The areas of lowest water quality are the heavily populated regions of the Chui Valley and [[Osh Region|Osh]] and [[Jalal-Abad Region|Jalal-Abad]] Regions, and areas along the rivers flowing into Ysyk-Köl.<ref name=":0" />

In towns, wastewater collection provides about 70% of the water supply.<ref name=":0" /> Although towns have biological treatment equipment, as much as 50% of such equipment is rated as ineffective.<ref name=":0" /> The major sources of toxic waste in the water supply are the [[Mercury (element)|mercury]] mining combine at Haidarkan; the [[antimony]] mine at Kadamzai; the Kadzyi Sai [[uranium]] mine, which ceased extraction in 1967 but which continues to leach toxic materials into nearby Ysyk Köl; the Kara-Balta [[Uranium]] Recovery Plant; the Min Kush deposit of mine tailings; and the Kyrgyz Mining and Metallurgy Plant at Orlovka.<ref name=":0" />

===Land management===
[[File:E8184-Tamchy-mud-dam.jpg|thumb|Low-cost water management in [[Tamchy]], [[Issyk Kul Region]]]]
The most important problems in land use are soil erosion and salinization in improperly irrigated farmland.<ref name=":0" /> An estimated 60% of Kyrgyzstan's land is affected by topsoil loss, and 6% by salinization, both problems with more serious long-term than short-term effects.<ref name=":0" /> In 1994 the size of livestock herds averaged twice the carrying capacity of pasturage land, continuing the serious [[overgrazing]] problem and consequent soil erosion that began when the herds were at their peak in the late 1980s.<ref name=":0" /> Uncertain land tenure and overall financial insecurity have caused many private farmers to concentrate their capital in the traditional form—livestock—thus subjecting new land to the overgrazing problem.<ref name=":0" />

The inherent land shortage in Kyrgyzstan is exacerbated by the flooding of agricultural areas for hydroelectric projects.<ref name=":0" /> The creation of [[Toktogul]] Reservoir on the Naryn River, for example, involved the flooding of 130&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> of fertile land.<ref name=":0" /> Such projects have the additional effect of constricting downstream water supply; Toktogul deprives the lower reaches of the Syr Darya in Uzbekistan and the Aral Sea Basin of substantial amounts of water.<ref name=":0" /> Because the Naryn Basin, where many hydroelectric projects are located, is very active seismically, flooding is also a danger should a dam be broken by an earthquake.<ref name=":0" />

'''Environment - current issues:''' Nuclear waste left behind by the Soviet Union in many open-air pits in hazardous locations. [[Water pollution]]; many people get their water directly from contaminated streams and wells; as a result, water-borne diseases are prevalent; increasing [[soil salinity]] from faulty irrigation practices. Illegal hunting of very rare species such as the [[snow leopard]] and the [[Marco Polo sheep]].

'''Environment - international agreements:'''
<br />''party to:'' [[Air Pollution]], [[Biodiversity]], [[Desertification]], [[Hazardous Wastes]], Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

=== Aral Sea===

In response to the internationally recognized environmental crisis of the rapid desiccation of the [[Aral Sea]], the five states sharing the Aral Sea Basin (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) are developing a strategy to end the crisis. The World Bank and agencies of the United Nations (UN) have developed an Aral Sea Program, the first stage of which is funded by the five countries and external donors. That stage has seven areas of focus, one of which—land and water management in the upper watersheds—is of primary concern to Kyrgyzstan. Among the conditions detrimental to the Aral Sea's environment are erosion from [[deforestation]] and [[overgrazing]], contamination from poorly managed irrigation systems, and uncontrolled waste from mining and municipal effluents. Kyrgyzstan's National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP) has addressed these problems as part of its first-phase priorities in cooperation with the Aral Sea Program.

===Environmental policy making===
[[File:Stamp Kyrgyzstan Pallas Cat 2008.jpg|thumb|left|[[Pallas cat]], the famous wild cat of Kyrgyzstan, celebrated on a postage stamp]]
The NEAP, adopted in 1994, is the basic blueprint for environmental protection.<ref name=":0" /> The plan focuses on solving a small number of critical problems, collecting reliable information to aid in that process, and integrating environmental measures with economic and social development strategy.<ref name=":0" /> The initial planning period is to end in 1997.<ref name=":0" /> The main targets of that phase are inefficient water resource management, land degradation, [[overexploitation]] of forest reserves, [[Biodiversity loss|loss of biodiversity]], and pollution from inefficient mining and refining practices.<ref name=":0" />

Because of severe budget constraints, most of the funds for NEAP operations come from international sources, including official institutions such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank and numerous international nongovernmental organizations.<ref name=":0" /> Implementation is guided by a committee of state ministers and by a NEAP Expert Working Group, both established in 1994 by executive order.<ref name=":0" /> A NEAP office in Bishkek was set up with funds from Switzerland.<ref name=":0" />

The main environmental protection agency of the Kyrgyzstan government is the State Committee on Environmental Protection, still known by its Soviet-era acronym, Goskompriroda.<ref name=":0" /> Established by the old regime in 1988, the agency's post-Soviet responsibilities have been described in a series of decrees beginning in 1991.<ref name=":0" /> In 1994 the state committee had a central office in Bishkek, one branch in each of the seven regions, and a total staff of about 150 persons.<ref name=":0" /> Because of poorly defined lines of responsibility, administrative conflicts often occur between local and national authorities of Goskompriroda and between Goskompriroda and a second national agency, the Hydrometeorological Administration (Gidromet), which is the main monitoring agency for air, water, and [[soil quality]].<ref name=":0" /> In general, the vertical hierarchy structure, a relic of Soviet times, has led to poor coordination and duplication of effort among environmental protection agencies.<ref name=":0" />

=== Specially protected areas ===

A number of protected nature areas have been designated by the government of the republic. As of the end of 2004, they included:<ref>[http://www.scout-kg.narod.ru/library/l_zap-zak.html Особо охраняемые природные территории Кыргызской Республики (по состоянию на конец 2004 года)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326173139/http://www.scout-kg.narod.ru/library/l_zap-zak.html |date=26 March 2010 }} (Protected areas of the Kyrgyz Republic (as of the end of 2004)) {{in lang|ru}}</ref>
* Eight state [[nature reserve]]s ([[zapovednik]]s), with the total area of 2,880&nbsp;km²;
* [[List of national parks of Kyrgyzstan|Nine state nature]] [[national park]]s (2,760&nbsp;km²);
* Ten forest, twenty-three floral, eighteen geological, and two general-purpose protected areas ([[zakaznik]]s), as well as fourteen [[game reserve]]s, with the total area of 3,250&nbsp;km²;
* Lake [[Issyk Kul]] (so designated since 1998) and [[Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve|Sary-Chelek]] [[biosphere reserve]] (since 1978), together occupying the area of 282&nbsp;km².<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological-sciences/biosphere-reserves/asia-and-the-pacific/kyrgyztan/| title = Biosphere Reserves in Kyrgyztan (sic)| access-date = 21 January 2012| archive-date = 25 October 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131025224539/http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological-sciences/biosphere-reserves/asia-and-the-pacific/kyrgyztan/| url-status = live}}</ref>

==Area and boundaries==
[[File:E8302-Tamchy-skyline.jpg|thumb|[[Tamchy]] Bay on Lake [[Issyk Kul]]]]
;Area:
:*total: 198,951&nbsp;km²
:**''country rank in the world:'' 85th
:*land: 191,801&nbsp;km²
:*water: 8,150&nbsp;km²

;Area — comparative:
:* Australia comparative: slightly less than three times the size of [[Tasmania]]
:* Canada comparative: slightly less than half the size of [[Newfoundland and Labrador]]
:* United Kingdom comparative: approximately 1{{sfrac|1|2}} times the size of [[England]]
:* United States comparative: approximately the size of [[South Dakota]]
:* [[European Union|EU]] comparative: slightly less than {{sfrac|2|3}} the size of [[Italy]]

;Land boundaries:
:*total: 5,473&nbsp;km
:*border countries: the [[People's Republic of China]] 1,063&nbsp;km, [[Kazakhstan]] 1,212&nbsp;km, [[Tajikistan]] 984&nbsp;km, [[Uzbekistan]] 1,314&nbsp;km

;Coastline: 0&nbsp;km (landlocked)

;Elevation extremes:
:*lowest point: [[Kara-Darya]] 132 m
:*highest point: [[Peak Jengish Chokusu]] 7,439 m

==Resources and land use==
[[File:E8289-Tamchy-Bay-wetland.jpg|thumb|Wetlands along the shore of Lake [[Issyk Kul]] near [[Tamchy]]]]

'''Terrain:''' peaks of [[Tian Shan]] and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation

'''Natural resources:''' abundant [[hydropower]]; significant deposits of [[gold]] and rare earth metals; locally exploitable [[coal]], [[petroleum]], and [[natural gas]]; other deposits of [[nepheline]], [[mercury (element)|mercury]], [[bismuth]], [[lead]], and [[zinc]].

'''Land use:'''
<br />''arable land:'' 6.7%
<br />''permanent crops:'' 0.4%
<br />''permanent pasture:'' 48.3%
<br />''forest:'' 5.1%
<br />''other:'' 93.24% (2011)
<br />''note:''
Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural growth [[walnut]] forest, [[Arslanbob]], located in [[Jalal-Abad Region]] with an enormous variety of different genetic characteristics. It is believed that most of the world's walnut varieties derive from the original species still found here.

'''Irrigated land:''' 10,210&nbsp;km² (2005)

'''Total renewable water resources:''' 23.62&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup> (2011)

==References==
{{commons category}}
{{Portal|Asia}}
{{Reflist}}
*{{CIA World Factbook}}

{{Geography of Asia}}
{{Asia topic|Climate of}}

[[Category:Geography of Kyrgyzstan| ]]