[kir-gee-zhuh, -zhee-uh, -zee-uh; Russ. kyir-gyee-zyi-yuh] 
| a republic in central Asia, S of Kazakhstan and N of Tadzhikistan (Tajikistan). 4,291,000; 76,460 sq. mi. (198,500 sq. km). Capital: Bishkek. |
Kyr·gyz·stan (kîr'gē-stän', kîr'gē-stän')  (click for larger image in new window) A country of west-central Asia bordering on southeast Kazakhstan and northwest China. The region was inhabited probably before the 13th century by the Kyrgyz and was annexed by Russia in 1864. It became an autonomous republic of the Soviet Union in 1926 and a constituent republic in 1936. Kyrgyzstan declared its independence in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Bishkek is the capital and the largest city. Population: 5,280,000. Kyr'gyz·stan'i (-stān'ē, -stä'nē) adj. & n. |
Republic in central Asia, bordered to the northwest and north by Kazakhstan, to the east and southeast by China, to the southwest by Tajikistan, and to the west by Uzbekistan. Its capital and largest city is Frunze.
Note: This former member of the Soviet Union declared its independence in 1991.
gɪˈstɑn