Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek is the capital and largest city of the Kyrgyz Republic, or Kyrgyzstan, a country in Central Asia. The capital is also the administrative center of Chuy Region, the country's northernmost province. Bishkek was once famous for being one of the greenest cities in the world, due to the city's numerous parks, gardens, and tree-lined boulevards; however, in the twenty-first century, rapid development and smog have become problems drawing the attention of activists and politicians.

Landscape

Bishkek is located in the central-northern part of the country of Kyrgyzstan, over 90 percent of which is covered by the Tian Shan mountain range. Bishkek is located in the Chui Valley, at the base of the Ala-Too Mountains, a western range of the Tian Shan. The city sits at the intersection of the Chu River with the Bolshoy Chuysky Canal (or the Great Canal) and the Alamedin and Alaarcha rivers, both tributaries of the Chu. The city lies at an altitude of roughly 750 meters (2,460 feet).

The two highways running through Kyrgyzstan both cross Bishkek. One leads to the country's second largest city, Osh , in the southwest, and the other to Lake Issyk-Kul in the northeast. The city is characterized by busy bazaars and shaded streets. The historical Soviet influence over the city remains visible in the architecture of the older buildings, such as concert halls, government buildings, and museums. Several monuments and statues are scattered throughout the city celebrating Bishkek's modern culture and political system.

Bishkek has a continental climate; temperatures vary greatly between the seasons. Summer temperatures are often above 37 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit), and winters can be as cold as –28 degrees Celsius (–20 degrees Fahrenheit); the average annual temperature is –1 degree Celsius (30 degrees Fahrenheit). The rainy season lasts from March through June.

People

The population of Bishkek was estimated at 1.1 million in 2023 by the CIA World Factbook. The official languages in Bishkek are Kyrgyz (or Kirghiz) and Russian. The official currency is the Kyrgyzstani som. The most widely practiced religion as of 2017 was Islam (90 percent). Russian Orthodoxy is also represented, though just 3 percent of the population adheres to this faith. The majority ethnic group in 2021 was Kyrgyz (73 percent), followed by Uzbek and Russian, with small populations of Ukrainians, Koreans, and Germans.

The population of Bishkek increased steadily through the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. However, the political instability following the Tulip Revolution of 2005, in which the government and president were overthrown, resulted in many residents fleeing the capital. In addition, ethnic tensions between Kyrgyzs, Russians, Koreans, and other smaller European populations caused many Russians and Koreans to leave the city in 2005.

Bishkek is a poverty-stricken city, and many citizens typically survive on stipends and pensions. In addition, because Bishkek is heavily industrialized, air and water pollution are constant concerns for the city's residents.

Economy

While Bishkek is Kyrgyzstan's economic center, it has few natural resources, and imports most of its useable products. Agricultural regions in the rural outskirts of Bishkek produce potatoes, vegetables, and fruits for trade, as well as tobacco, cotton, wool, and meat for export, with tobacco and cotton being the primary agricultural exports. Kyrgyzstan also exports gas, oil, coal, and gold; the economy relies heavily on the export of the latter. Violent rioting in 2010 damaged the country's economy and infrastructure, but under President Almazbek Atambayev, the economy recovered significantly. Kyrgyzstan's GDP grew by 7.4 percent in 2013, one of the highest growth rates in the world, but was just 3.6 percent in 2021. Economic success has been mixed, and the nation continues to struggle to attract foreign investment. In 2015 Kyrgyzstan offically became part of the Eurasian Economic Union, but both global and local factors continued to hamper trade.

Heavy industry in Bishkek includes the manufacture of machinery such as electric motors, textiles, foodstuffs, and other metal products. When Kyrgyzstan was part of the Soviet Union, the meatpacking and machinery plants in Bishkek were some of the largest in that socialist state.

Landmarks

Bishkek is famous for its parks and gardens. Dubovy Park (or Oak Park), in particular, is located in the city center, and contains numerous cafés, sculptures and an outdoor gallery. The famous Erkindik Statue, or Statue of Freedom, which commemorates Kyrgyz independence, is also found near the park. At the city center, in Victory Square, is a World War II monument built in 1984; the monument features a marble statue of a woman ever vigilant over an eternal flame.

The capital is also home to various museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts, which is also located close to Dubovy Park. Constructed in 1974, the museum contains over 17,500 works of art. The collection represents ancient Greek civilization through the period of Soviet rule. In the Ala-Too Square, formerly known as Lenin Square after Russian leader Vladimir Lenin, is the Historical Museum, formerly the Lenin Museum. The museum features various symbols of Kyrgyz culture and customs, as well as a display dedicated to Lenin and the Russian Revolution of 1917 which lead to the establishment of the Soviet Union. In addition, the historical Soviet influence over Bishkek is evident in the architecture of the city's various theaters, including the Opera and Ballet Theatre, and the Frunze-House Museum and Log House, both traditional Russian-style homes that are now museums.

Another famous landmark is the White House, a white marble palace that serves as the seat of Kyrgyzstan's government offices. The president's office is located in the White House, and it is where the Parliament of the Republic meets. The palace lies west of City Square, where the changing of the national guard occurs.

Bishkek is also known for its many bazaars or open markets. They include the Osh Bazaar, located over a mile from the city center; the Ortosay Bazaar, located just south of the city center; and the Alamedin Bazaar, located in northeastern Bishkek. Dordoy Bazaar is the city's largest market and is open on weekends. It is located north of the center of the city.

History

Bishkek first came to prominence as a trade center along the Great Silk Road , an ancient trade route leading from China, as early as the eighth century. The city site was also the center for the military of Uzbekistan as early as the seventh century. Bishkek was eventually fortified by Uzbek leaders during the early nineteenth century. By the latter half of the century, most Kyrgyz migrated to the rural areas of Kyrgyzstan while Uzbekistanis filled the city.

Russia took control of the city's fortifications in 1862, and renamed the area Pishpek. During this time, the city began to develop into an administrative and economic center through Soviet-influenced construction and expansion. The population grew exponentially, developing into a melting pot of Central Asian ethnicities by the turn of the century. Minor industries, such as mills, were formally established.

In 1924, Kyrgyzstan became part of the Soviet Union, and Pishpek became the administrative center of the newly formed Kyrgyz Autonomous Region. In 1926, it became the Kirgiz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, with Pishpek as its capital. In 1936, it became simply the Kirgiz Soviet Socialist Republic.

The Soviets industrialized the country, introducing new economic and transportation systems and architecture. The city was renamed Frunze in honor of the Bolshevik leader Mikhail Frunze. In 1991, when the Soviet Union formally dissolved, Kyrgyzstan declared independence, and the name of the capital was restored to Bishkek.

Economic reform was initiated by the capital in 1992, and constitutional changes granting more power to the president were ratified in 1996. In 2002, Bishkek allowed the United States to construct a large airbase in the city as part of the war on terror.

In 2005, violent protests brought on by accusations of illegal and unethical practices marred the city after the reelection of President Askar Akayev, who had been president since 1990. Akayev fled the country, resigning on April 4, 2005. Kurmanbek Bakiyev was elected into office shortly thereafter. However, public outcry against the new president took the form of demonstrations on the streets of Bishkek throughout 2006.

Protests against government corruption led to rioting in Bishkek in 2010, resulting in dozens killed, and President Bakiyev was eventually forced to resign and flee the capital. Leader of the opposition Roza Otunbayeva served as president until Almazbek Atambayev was elected in December 2011, marking the first peaceful transfer of power in Kyrgyzstan's history as an independent nation. In 2017 Atambayev was succeeded by Sooronbay Jeenbekov, who resigned in 2020. Talant Mamytov served until January 2021, when Sadyr Japarov was elected.

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