uard

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 658,270
males fit for military service: 391,586
males reach military age (18) annually: 17,544 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.5 billion,
12.8% of GDP (FY95/96)

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@Kyrgyzstan
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Map
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Location: 41 00 N, 75 00 E -- Central Asia, west of China

Flag
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Description: red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40
rays representing the 40 Kirghiz tribes; on the obverse side the
rays run counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center
of the sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a
stylized representation of the roof of the traditional Kirghiz yurt

Geography
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Location: Central Asia, west of China

Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 75 00 E

Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States

Area:
total area: 198,500 sq km
land area: 191,300 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than South Dakota

Land boundaries:
total: 3,878 km
border countries: China 858 km, Kazakstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870
km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

International disputes: territorial dispute with Tajikistan on
southwestern boundary in Isfara Valley area

Climate: dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical
in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone

Terrain: peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins
encompass entire nation
lowest point: Kara-Daryya 132 m
highest point: Jengish Chokusu 7,439 m

Natural resources: abundant hydroelectric potential; significant
deposits of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal,
oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth,
lead, and zinc

Land use:
arable land: 7%
permanent crops: NEGL%
meadows and pastures: 42%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 51%

Irrigated land: 10,320 sq km (1990)

Environment:
current issues: 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
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: NA

Geographic note: landlocked

People
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Population: 4,529,