1. KYRGYZ REPUBLIC THE COUNTRY OF THOUSAND LAKES AND MAJESTIC MOUNTAINS IN THE HEART OF CENTRAL ASIA and 2 run-away presidents By Azat Israilov

2. General info Slightly smaller than South Dakota. Over 90% are mountains. Kyrgyzstan -for 70 years was a part of the Soviet Union- declared independence in 1991. Population over 5 million (roughly the same as in Colorado state). See Wikipedia for more info. 3. General information 4. Several studies point out that Kyrgyz and Native Americans had general roots they both originate in Siberia (Russia). Native Americans came from Siberia about 15,000 years ago. Kyrgyz = Americans? 5. Kyrgyzstan is the only country among 15 ex-Soviet countries and Eastern Europe (and most likely in Eurasia) that made 2 presidents run away in 2005 and then in 2010 during popular uprisings Democratic 6. 94% of Kyrgyzstan territory are mountains. That provides many opportunities for climbing, trekking and skiing surrounded by untouched nature. Mountains 7. Kyrgyzstan is the only country in Central Asia (and among ex-Soviet countries) to host a US military base since 2001 which was opened right after the 9/11 events to start military operations in Afghanistan. US Military Base 8. Being illegal, Ala kachuu or Bride kidnapping occurs primarily in rural areas, is an accepted and common way of taking a wife There are about 14,000 bride kidnappings every year; two thirds are non-consensual. Ala Kachuu (to take and flee) 9. Manas epic is the biggest epic literature in the world which was transferred orally down through generations for over 1000 years. It will take half a year to read it. Epic 10. KG has the world's largest natural-growth walnut forest. Walnut Forest 11. kok-boru blue wolf in the Kyrgyz language a popular horse game in which two teams of riders face off in a field and attempt to carry a goat or calf carcass into the opposing teams end zone. Kok-boru 12. It is the second-largest alpine lake in the world after Lake Titicaca in South America. Issyk Kul being surrounded by high mountains never freezes during cold winters. Issyk Kul lake 13. Coming from a poor, single mother family Atay (now 23) went to final rounds of 3 format talent shows, and in 2011 in Chech Republic he won and got 130,000 USD for the best robot dance performance. Atay Omurzakov SeeAtayOmurzakov onYoutube 14. Links Kyrgyz = Americans? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2172522/The-First-Americans- Mountains http://russiantraveling.com/2012/08/the-incredible-mountain-ranges-of-kyrgyz Ala kachuu http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ala_kachuu US military base http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transit_Center_at_Manas Walnut forest http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arslanbob Issyk Kul lake http://diesel.elcat.kg/index.php?showtopic=3680070 Atay Omurzakov http://www.rferl.org/content/atai_omurzakov_wins_big_in_czech_talent_ show/24405033.html 10 facts about KG http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/life/cheat-sheet- kyrgyzstan-10-things-know-398420 15. American blog about KG Read Dennis Keen blog about his recent experience in Kyrgyzstan. Its very interesting and entertaining. http://keenonkyrgyzstan.com/