Kyrgyzstan at a glance: its flag, its capital Bishkek, its population and where it sits on the world map. Plus a way to test yourself afterwards.
Adopted on 3 March 1992, the day after the country's admission to the United Nations, the Kyrgyz flag replaced that of the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic. The red field is said to be inspired by the banner raised by Manas, the legendary hero of the Kyrgyz people; the sun set upon it carries forty rays, for the forty tribes he is said to have united against the Mongols.
At the centre of the sun sits a stylised tündük, the wooden crown that opens the roof of a yurt, symbolising the hearth and the origin of life. In December 2023, parliament voted to straighten the rays, until then wavy: their curve was said to recall a sunflower, a flower that in Kyrgyz culture evokes a fickle, servile person ready to switch allegiance for personal gain.
4 bordering countries
So you know this country? Check that you know the other 192 too.
Data: Wikidata (CC0). Flags and map: Geo Nerd.
Are you sure you want to reset this game?
