eligions: Muslim 70%, Russian Orthodox NA%

Languages: Kirghiz (Kyrgyz) - official language, Russian widely used

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989)
total population: 97%
male: 99%
female: 96%

Labor force: 1.836 million
by occupation: agriculture and forestry 38%, industry and construction
21%, other 41% (1990)

@Kyrgyzstan:Government

Names:
conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic
conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan
local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy
local short form: none
former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic

Digraph: KG

Type: republic

Capital: Bishkek

Administrative divisions: 6 oblasttar (singular - oblast) and 1 city*
(singular - shaar); Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek),
Jalal-Abad Oblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty,
Ysyk-Kol Oblasty (Karakol)
note: names in parentheses are administrative centers when name
differs from oblast name

Independence: 31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday: National Day, 2 December; Independence Day, 31
August (1991)

Constitution: adopted 5 May 1993

Legal system: based on civil law system

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Askar AKAYEV (since 28 October 1990);
election last held 12 October 1991 (next to be held NA 1996); results
- Askar AKAYEV won in uncontested election with 95% of vote and with
90% of electorate voting; note - president elected by Supreme Soviet
28 October 1990, then by popular vote 12 October 1991; AKAYEV won 96%
of the vote in a referendum on his status as president on 30 January
1994
head of government: Prime Minister Apas DJUMAGULOV (since NA December
1993)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers; subordinate to the president

Legislative branch: bicameral
Assembly of Legislatures: elections last held 5 February 1995 (next to
be held no later than NA 1998); 35-member house to which 19 members
have been elected so far; next round of runoffs scheduled for 19 April
1995
Assembly of Representatives: elections last held 5 February 1995 (next
to be held no later than NA 1998); 70-member house to which 60 members
have been elected so far; next round of runoffs scheduled for 19 April
1995
note: the legislature became bicameral for the 5 February 1995
elections

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party (SDP), Ishenbai
KADYRBEKOV, chairma