The long epic records all the major historic events of greatest importance for the Kirgiz people and crystallizes their traditions and beliefs.

UNESCO: Culture

One of the three major epics of China , it is both an outstanding artistic creation and an oral encyclopaedia of the Kirgiz people.

UNESCO: Culture

Two years ago, Mr Steinbach felt there was a market in Kirgizstan for good beer, not only among the remaining Germans but among the Kirgiz.

ECONOMIST: Mein Herr of Kirgizstan

However, the Kirgiz, and their neighbours in Kazakhstan, both formerly nomadic people, have always been less religious than the Uzbeks, who were more settled and practised a more conservative form of Islam.

ECONOMIST: Central Asia

Kazakh businesses and banks have been steadily buying up the shares of Kirgiz enterprises.

ECONOMIST: Kirgizstan

In Kirgizstan, questions were asked in parliament this week about the arrests of Kirgiz citizens by Uzbek police.

ECONOMIST: Central Asia

But after the break-up of the Soviet Union, Kirgiz beers declined in quality.

ECONOMIST: Mein Herr of Kirgizstan

Kirgiz voters were naturally interested in candidates who promised to improve the economy and reduce unemployment.

ECONOMIST: Kirgizstan

So far, says Muratbek Imanaliev, a former Kirgiz foreign minister, America's and Russia's interests in the region have been closely aligned because they are both committed to fighting terrorism.

ECONOMIST: Your move