According to petwithsupplies, the two largest cities in Kyrgyzstan are Bishkek and Osh. Bishkek is the capital of Kyrgyzstan, located in the north of the country near the border with Kazakhstan. It is the economic, political, and cultural center of Kyrgyzstan, with a population of over one million people. Bishkek has a diverse range of industries, including textiles, pharmaceuticals, electronics, food processing, and light industry. There are also many parks and gardens in the city that attract tourists from all over Central Asia. Osh is located in the south-west corner of Kyrgyzstan and is known for its colorful markets and unique architecture. It is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia with a population of about half a million people. Osh’s economy is mainly based on agriculture and tourism as well as some light industry. The city has many historical sites including an ancient fortress dating back to 4th century BC that attracts tourists from all over Central Asia. There are several museums devoted to local culture such as Osh State Historical-Architectural Museum Complex that offers visitors an insight into traditional Kyrgyz culture and history. Kyrgyzstan is a Central Asian country of 6 million people, bordered by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China. It gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and has since developed a strong sense of national identity. In 2008, Kyrgyzstan was in the midst of a political crisis that had been sparked by the overthrow of President Askar Akayev earlier that year. The new government, led by interim President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, had been unable to stabilize the country and was facing rising tensions with its neighbors. Kyrgyzstan’s geopolitical position meant that it was vulnerable to outside interference from more powerful countries in the region. Russia had maintained strong influence over the country since its independence, but this influence diminished following the fall of Akayev’s government. China also sought to increase its influence in Kyrgyzstan by investing heavily in infrastructure projects and offering economic aid packages to the government. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan had begun to exert increasing pressure on Kyrgyzstan due to border disputes between the two countries. In 2008, Kyrgyzstan faced a number of challenges as it sought to maintain its sovereignty amidst regional instability and competition for influence from larger powers. It was clear that without strong international support and careful management of regional tensions, Kyrgyzstan could find itself at risk of becoming yet another pawn in a geopolitical game between larger powers seeking control over Central Asia. Check eningbo for Kyrgyzstan in 2012.