Kyrgyzstan Geography

Kyrgyzstan geography holds an insightful reflection of the inter-relationship of the different landforms, natural vegetation and drainage with the lifestyle of the people. The rugged, mountainous geography of Kyrgyzstan

has led to the creation of the largely pastoral lifestyle for the inhabitants of this land. Geography in Kyrgyzstan has also been the determinant factor in deciding the locales of human habitation. The sedimentary rock foundation of Kyrgyzstan has ensured a much diversified drainage system.

The climate of Kyrgyzstan is pretty varied, subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley), dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan with the northern foothills being a cool temperate zone. Variations in the climate are well reflected in the diversified ecosystems of Kyrgyzstan – the mountains, forests, lakes, glaciers, rivers all contributing to a surprisingly abundant endemic wildlife and highly protected network of Nature Reserves and National Parks. The movements of the tectonic plates, which have formed these high mountains out of sedimentary rock, still are a very real danger and cause severe earthquakes.

The indigenous wildlife unique to the area , like the butterflies, are one of the assets of Kyrgyzstan geography. The avian species found in this area Saker Falcon, Steppe Eagle, Ground Jays and the imperial Golden Eagle. Other than these a large variety of migratory birds use the area as a pass in the great Himalayan Range. The endemic mammalian species are the Snow Leopard, Saiga Antelope, Ibex, Marco Polo Sheep and the Desert Dormouse.