Kyrgyzstan is a multiethnic state with a population of 5,000,000. It is home to more than 90 nationalities: Kyrgyz, Uzbeks, Kazakhs, Tajiks, Russians, Ukrainians, Germans, Uighurs, Dungans (Chinese Muslims), Koreans and others.



Kyrgyz

Kyrgyz are a Turkic ethnic group found primarily in Kyrgyzstan. Etymology There are several etymological theories on the name “Kyrgyz.” First, the name Kyrgyz may mean “forty girls” (kyrk +…

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Kazakhs

The Kazakhs are a Turkic people of the northern parts of Central Asia (largely Kazakhstan). They are famous for their self-reliance and military skills, particularly horsemanship. Etymology of Kazak There…

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Uzbeks

The Uzbeks are a Turkic people of Central Asia. They comprise the majority population of Uzbekistan, and large populations can also be found in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Russia…

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Uyghurs

The Uyghur are a Turkic people of Central Asia. Today Uyghurs live primarily in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (also known by its controversial name East Turkistan or Uyghurstan). There…

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Tājīk

Tājīk is a term generally applied to Iranian-speaking peoples living to the east and northeast of modern Iran. Among the Iranian languages that linguists have identified as being spoken by…

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Dungan

Dungan is a term used in territories of the former Soviet Union to refer to a Muslim people of Chinese origin. Turkic-speaking peoples in Xinjiang Province in China also refer…

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Koreans (Koryo-saram)

Koryo-saram is the name which ethnic Koreans in the Post-Soviet states use to refer to themselves. Approximately 500,000 ethnic Koreans reside in the former USSR, primarily in the now independent…

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Russians

Russians are an East Slavic ethnic group, primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries. Origins Russians predecessors were the medieval East Slavic nation Rus’, who were also the predecessors of…

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Ukrainians

Ukrainians are an East Slavic ethnic group primarily living in Ukraine. Locations Ukrainians are one of the largest European ethnic groups with a population of more than 44 million people…

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