5 Weird Facts About Kyrgyzstan You Didn’t Know

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How much do you know about Kyrgyzstan? If the answer is a hesitant uhhhhh… we can’t exactly blame you. (Maybe you haven’t even heard of the country.) If you’re looking to travel to Asia, you’re probably thinking of places like Thailand and China, but don’t overlook mighty Kyrgyzstan. Below are 5 weird things you probably didn’t know about the Asian country. You may want to take a trip there once you’re through with this list.

1. The country is sparsely populated.

Kyrgyzstan tops the list of world’s least populated countries, coming in at 29.5 residents for every square kilometer (.38 square miles) of land. So there’s a lot of room to roam around, and with the country’s majestic rolling hills and snow-capped mountains, that’s a great thing for outdoor adventurers.

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2. Tian Shan is prime for outdoor sports.

Tian Shan, a mountainous region in Kyrgyzstan , covers 80 percent of the entire country, and it’s a ski-lover’s dream. Its highest point is Jingoish Chokes at 24,406 feet. You can also expect endless hiking opportunities.

3. You can travel back in time to the Soviet era.

Kyrgyzstan is one of the few countries that still has Soviet-era architecture intact. Bishkek, which is a larger city in Kyrgyzstan, is known for its more modern vibe (there are plenty of universities and businesses set up there), but many of the landmarks that remain are from the rather bleak era, giving the city a historic edge.

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4. The country is home to a 3,000-year-old city.

Kyrgyzstan is without a doubt one of the more historically-rich countries in Asia. With over three Unesco sites, it leads Central Asia in preserving artifacts and memorials from the past. But Osh, which is the country’s largest city, dates back 3,000 years. It was a major trading point on the Silk Road and it’s still a big market hub in the country.

5. Kyrgyzstan isn’t a tourist hot spot.

Many countries in the world get some economic boost from tourism, but that’s not true for Kyrgyzstan. With only 1.25 percent of the country’s GDP coming from tourism, Kyrgyzstan keeps its economy healthy through trade and through agriculture.