Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek Cost of Living April 2010

Country Full Name: Kyrgyz Republic.

Location: Kyrgyzstan is in Central Asia, west of China.

Country Climate: Dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan Mountains; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone.

Country Terrain: Peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation.

Major Languages: Kyrgyz, Russian.

Major Religions: Islam, Christianity.

Country Population: 5.3 million (2008 est.) 5.4 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Kyrgyzstan was severely affected by the collapse of the Soviet trading block. Despite the backing of major Western lenders, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, Kyrgyzstan has had economic difficulties following independence. Agriculture is an important sector of the economy in Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan is rich in mineral resources but has negligible petroleum and natural gas reserves.

Currency: Kyrgyzstan Som (KGS).

Country Inflation: 24.5% (2008 est.) 8.0% (2009 est.).

City: Bishkek is the capital and the largest city of Kyrgyzstan.

City Economy: The economy in Bishkek is primarily agricultural with the mass amounts of fruits, vegetables and livestock providing a co-existing system of bartering in the outlying regions.
Cost of Living: Bishkek has an overall cost of living index which equates it with low cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Bishkek is currently ranked 259 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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