Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

I like to post country facts when visiting a country for the first time.  So here goes with 'things you need to know about Kyrgyzstan":

Kyrgyzstan is about the size of N. Dakota for a point of reference!


Flag:  red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays representing the 40 Kyrgyz 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 a "tunduk" - the crown of a traditional Kyrgyz yurt; red symbolizes bravery and valor, the sun evinces peace and wealth
 


Kyrgyzstan Emblem: 

The emblem of Kyrgyzstan was adopted following the dissolution of the Soviet Union on 2 June 1992. The emblem has a circular form which mostly bears the color blue. Light blue is known as the Kyrgyz color of courage and generosity (c.f. theflag of Kazakhstan and the emblem of Kazakhstan). To the left and right of the coat of arms, wheat and cotton are displayed. In the upper part, the name of the country appears in Kyrgyz "Кыргыз Республикасы" (Kyrgyz Respublikasy).

In the middle, the Tian Shan mountains are displayed, below which fields are shown. Behind the mountain panorama, one sees a rising sun. A hawk beating its wings stands under this panorama, which gives the impression that the panorama lies on the shoulders of the hawk.

National Anthem of Kyrgyzstan: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Anthem_of_the_Kyrgyz_Republic

English translation of the National Anthem:
Высокие горы, долины, поля - Родная, заветная наша земля. Отцы наши жили среди Ала-Тоо Всегда свою родину свято храня. Вперед, кыргызский народ, Путем свободы вперед! Взрастай, народ, расцветай, Свою судьбу созидай! Извечно народ наш для дружбы открыт, Единство и дружбу он в сердце хранит. Земля Кыргызстана, родная страна Лучами согласия озарена. Вперед, кыргызский народ, Путем свободы вперед! Взрастай, народ, расцветай, Свою судьбу созидай! Мечты и надежды отцов сбылись. И знамя свободы возносится ввысь. Наследье отцов наших передадим На благо народа потомкам своим Вперед, кыргызский народ, Путем свободы вперед! Взрастай, народ, расцветай, Свою судьбу созидай!	Vysokie gory, doliny, polia, Rodnaia, zavetnaia nasha zemlia, Otsy nashi zhili sredi Ala-Too Vsegda svoiu rodinu sviato khrania. Vpered, kyrgzskii narod, Putem svobody vpered Vzrastai, narod rastsvetai, Svoiu sud'bu sozidai. Izvechno narod nash dlia druzby otkryt Edinstvo i druzhbu on v serdtse khranit Zemlia Kyrgyzstana rodnaia strana Luchami soglasia ozarena. Vpered, kyrgzskii narod, Putem svobody vpered Vzrastai, narod rastsvetai, Svoiu sud'bu sozidai. Mechty i nadezhdy naroda sbylis' I znamia svobody voznositsia vvys'. Nasled'e otsov nashikh peredadim Na blago naroda potomkam svoim. Vpered, kyrgzskii narod, Putem svobody vpered Vzrastai, narod rastsvetai, Svoiu sud'bu sozidai.	High mountains, valleys and fields Are our native, holy land. Our fathers lived amidst the Ala-Too, Always saving their motherland. Come on, Kyrgyz people, Come on to freedom! Stand up and flourish! Create your fortune! We are open for freedom for ages. Friendship and unity are in our hearts. The land of Kyrgyzstan, our native state, Shining in the rays of consent. Come on, Kyrgyz people, Come on to freedom! Stand up and flourish! Create your fortune! Dreams of the people came true, And the flag of liberty is over us. The heritage of our fathers we will Pass to our sons for the benefit of people. Come on, Kyrgyz people, Come on to freedom! Stand up and flourish! Create your fortune!