Provinces
Kyrgyzstan is divided into seven provinces (sing. oblast, pl. oblasttar) administered by appointed governors. The capital, Bishkek, and the second large city Osh are administratively independent cities (shaar) with a status equal to a province.
The provinces, and independent cities, are as follows:
- 1. Bishkek (city)
- 2. Batken
- 3. Chui
- 4. Jalal-Abad
- 5. Naryn
- 6. Osh (province)
- 7. Talas
- 8. Issyk-Kul
- 9. Osh (city)
Each province comprises a number of districts (raions), administered by government-appointed officials (akim). Rural communities, consisting of up to 20 small settlements, have their own elected mayors and councils.