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Back in 2010, Kyrgyzstan had a moment of fame, or rather infamy, when political unrest and protests briefly captured the world’s attention. Thankfully, the turmoil was short lived, and the country has returned to its natural state: A gorgeous landscape filled with ancient traditions, a rich culture, and warm and welcoming people.

Where Exactly Is Kyrgyzstan?

The easiest answer: It’s in Central Asia, next to Northwestern China, in what used to be the USSR. To be more specific, it shares borders with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China.

Its boundaries were created in the 1920s by Stalin who intended to create an autonomous republic for the Kyrgyz ethnic group within the USSR. It wasn’t until the collapse of the USSR in 1991, however, that Kyrgyzstan attained sovereignty as a nation-state.

The country is geographically isolated by its highly mountainous terrain, which has helped preserve its ancient culture. Today, those mountains provide epic opportunities for adventure.

Is It Dangerous to Go There?

For many reasons, any country ending in “stan,” is perceived to be unsafe by most Westerners, but if you do a quick Internet search on “travel to the stans,” you’ll find plenty of information to dispute that notion. It seems the ‘Stans of Central Asia are not only NOT dangerous, they’re incredibly intriguing destinations to visit.

Also, it may help to know that “stan” simply means “country of” while “Kyrgyz” refers to both the name of an ethnic group and an epic hero who, in ancient times, unified 40 tribes against their enemies. So Kyrgyzstan literally means “a country of 40 tribes.”

While Kyrgyz people make up two thirds of the republic’s ethnic population, one third of the country is a blend of several ethnicities, making the country fairly diverse, despite Stalin’s intentions.

So How Do You Pronounce It?

Don’t feel bad if you struggle with the pronunciation. In English, we don’t usually see so many crazy consonants together in one word. The recommended

pronunciation is kur-gihs-tAAN with a G … not to beconfused with Kurdistan (kur-dihs-tAAN), which is a completely different country.

Kyrgyz, the name of the ethnic group and language, is pronounced KUR-giz.

Ultimately, for those trying to understand even the smallest bit about the country, above all, it is known for its breathtaking landscapes, endless outdoor activities, and kind and hospitable people.

For the people who have endeavored to explore this stunning country for themselves, it has developed a wonderful reputation as a place not to be overlooked or forgotten.