The collapse of the Soviet Union created 15 new states. Over the past five years, these states have all grappled with economic, ethnic, political, and territorial problems left behind by the Soviet empire. Kyrgyzstan is a former Soviet republic (RSF) located in Central Asia. This article will give a statistical representation of the state of Kyrgyzstan. The statistical data will reflect the basic geography of the country concerned, its population, size and location. This miniature report will also contain brief descriptions of current political and economic situations. The current information section of this report contains outlooks on possible events in the near future regarding both political stability and the economy. Kyrgyzstan is located in the southern zone of the former Soviet Union. Its borders are defined by China to the east (and south), Kazakhstan to the north (and northwest), Uzbekistan directly to the west, and Tajikistan to the south (and southwest). Kyrgyzstan covers 76,641 square miles, making up 0.9% of the land mass of the former USSR. The land is mainly used for pastoral purposes. Only 7% of arable land is cultivated. The population is estimated at 4,258,000 people (see Figure A). The population of Kyrgyzstan has experienced a population growth of 25.3% over the past 12 years (population growth data from 1979 to 1991) and a birth rate of 29.1/1,000. The distribution of the population is 61.9% in rural areas and 38.1% in urban centers. City and population The 4 main cities are: Bishkek (formerly Frunze) 616,000 (Capitol) Osh 213,000 Przhevalsk 64,000 Naryn 26,000 In June 1990, ethnic violence broke out in the city of Oh. The Kyrgyz clashed with the Uzbeks, resulting in a bloody conflict that was ultimately suppressed by the troops of the Soviet Interior Ministry. This clash highlighted the political and economic problems present in Kyrgyzstan even when the USSR still existed. These ethnic clashes in Oh served to cement political groups that were organizing outside of the Communist Party during Perestroika. It also gave voice to the serious economic problems of central Kyrgyzstan. The “head of state” and leader of the communist party in Kyrgyzstan was Absamat Masaliev. Masaliev invoked rigid policies that served to worsen existing social problems. Due to the government's declining ability to meet public expectations, Perestroika police allowances, and ethnic tensions, communist authority in Kyrgyzstan came into question. Communist Party rule ended in October of the same year..