Central Asia Travel Destinations – Kyrgyzstan
Posted by alibabarika in Articles on October 6, 2010
This mountainous country, filled with natural beauty is often referred to as the Switzerland of Asia. The Tian Shan Mountains cover more than 3/4 of the land and furnish endless hiking and mountaineering opportunities.
The remainder of country is varied, with the subtropical, fertile Fergana Valley in the southwest to temperate foothills in the north. Kyrgyzstan’s diverse geography and the hospitality of the people make it a wonderful tourist destination.
Kazakhstan’s President-for-Life to Chair the OSCE
Posted by alibabarika in Articles on October 6, 2010
The summer of 2009 has provided further evidence that Kazakhstan’s chairing of the OSCE next year will rank high on what I can only call the WTFometer. Forget the fact that Kazakhstan is not, by any generous interpretation (I’m looking at you UEFA) a European state; neither is Canada or the USA (or the UK, according to some people…) What about the fact that one of the least free and most corrupt states in the world will be chairing an organisation meant to promote human rights and democracy? Well, we all survived Libya chairing the Human Rights Commission.
But what practically guarantees a year of rueful eye-rolling is the fact that despite international concern over the Kazakh chairmanship, the Nazarbayev regime continues to pursue repressive domestic policies and practices, even those which violate its commitments to the very organisation it is meant to lead. One of the latest examples is the new Kazakh internet law enacted in July. Joanna Lillis reports:
Lake Issyk Kul – A Spectacular Mountain Lake in Kyrgyzstan
Posted by alibabarika in Articles on October 6, 2010
Kyrgyzstan boasts a number of spectacular mountain lakes. It is possible to travel through spectacular mountain scenery and experience the traditional life of the Kyrgyz while staying in yurts. There are also opportunities for spectacular horse treks and hikes throughout.
Lake Issyk Kul, which means “hot lake” in the Kyrgyz language, is situated in the northern Tian Shan mountains in eastern Kyrgyzstan. It is the tenth largest lake in the world by volume and the second largest saline lake after the Caspian Sea. Although it is surrounded by snow-capped peaks, it never freezes; hence its name.
Interesting Facts About Central Asia – Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
Posted by alibabarika in Articles on September 9, 2010
Kazakhstan is the 9th largest country in the world, equal in size to the whole of Western Europe, a huge land encompassing two time zones, stretching from China to the Caspian Sea. It has an ethnically mixed population of 15 million people including Kazakhs, Russians, Ukranians, Uzbeks and others. Kazakhstan is potentially the richest of all the Central Asian countries with huge mineral and oil reserves.
The Eastern part of Kazakhstan and the area around Almaty is extremely mountainous, with beautiful alpine scenery, densely forested valleys, multicolored lakes and pristine glaciers. Travelling to the west in Kazakhstan the mountains give way to the vast steppes and also the desert.