Kyrgyzstan: flag, capital, currency and history

Flag of Kyrgyzstan

Download the flag of Kyrgyzstan as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇰🇬.

History of Kyrgyzstan

The Kyrgyz are a Turkic people whose early history is linked to the Yenisei region of Siberia; a Kyrgyz khaganate existed in the 9th century. They later moved into the Tien Shan, came under Mongol rule in the 13th century, and in the 19th century fell under the Khanate of Kokand. Russia took control of the region in the 1860s and 1870s. A Soviet republic was established in the 1920s and became a full union republic in 1936. Kyrgyzstan declared independence in 1991 and is a parliamentary-presidential republic with Bishkek as its capital.

Key dates

1. 9th centuryA Kyrgyz khaganate is established in the Yenisei region and defeats the Uyghur Khaganate.
2. 13th centuryKyrgyz territories come under Mongol rule.
3. 1876The Russian Empire completes its annexation of the Khanate of Kokand, including Kyrgyz lands.
4. 1936The Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic is established as a full union republic of the USSR.
5. 1991Kyrgyzstan declares independence on 31 August as the Soviet Union dissolves.
6. 2005The Tulip Revolution forces the president from office.
7. 2010Unrest removes the president again, and a new constitution establishes a parliamentary system.

A short overview, not a full history. Dates are given for well-documented events only.

Currency of Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan uses the Kyrgyzstani som (KGS, с). Use our free currency converter to check exchange rates.

Festivals and greetings in Kyrgyzstan

Celebrations observed in Kyrgyzstan, with free greeting images and wishes you can personalise.

Nowruz

All greeting images for Kyrgyzstan · Festival calendar

Frequently asked questions

Neighbours of Kyrgyzstan

ChinaBeijingKazakhstanAstanaTajikistanDushanbeUzbekistanTashkent

More countries in Central Asia

KazakhstanAstanaTajikistanDushanbeTurkmenistanAshgabatUzbekistanTashkent