Kyrgyzstan (or The Kyrgyz Republic, to give the country its official name) lies at the very centre of the Eurasian continent, bordering China (to the east), Kazakhstan (to the north and west), Tajikistan (to the south and south-west) and Uzbekistan (to the south and west). It is a small country with over 90% of the territory classified as “mountainous”. The greatest natural feature is the Tien-Shan mountain range (“Tenir-Too” in Kyrgyz) running northeast to southwest. The peaks and valleys divide the landscape into quite distinct landscapes, microclimates and habitats. It is possible to encounter many different experiences in a small geographical area, and a short space of time.

Bishkek, the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic, celebrated in 2003 the 125th anniversary of its establishment as a city. Bishkek is located in the central Chui valley at the foot of the Kyrgyz Khrebet Mountain Range at an altitude of 760m above sea level. The climate here is sharply continental, with mid-annual air temperature of +10.2 centigrade. Bishkek is considered to be one of the greenest cities in Central Asia, its streets are lined with trees and bushes of 150 different kinds. It is a rapidly growing city, and has all the features one would expect to find in a modern capital city.