By IndyKids Staff
Name: Arnali Subankulov, age 12 Languages: Kyrgyz and Russian
Religion: Muslim Favorite subject in school: Math
Career: Arnali wants to be a businessman when he grows up.
Favorite food: Plov, a traditional Uzbek dish, made with rice and small pieces of beef.
Family: Arnali has an older sister and an older brother. His father owns a shooting arcade where Arnali works during the summer. His mother works in commerce in Russia.
Hobbies: Playing soccer and computer games and watching cowboy movies and historical films.
LEARN A LITTLE KYRGYZ!
Hello: Salam
Peace be with you: Salam aleykum
Yes: Ooba
No: Jok
Friend: Dos
Thank you: Rakhmat
Bread: Nan
Tea: Chay
Rice: Kürüch
KYRGYZSTAN QUICK FACTS
Location: Central Asia • Capital: Bishkek
Official languages: Kyrgyz, Russian
Population: 5 million
Religion: 75% Muslim; 20% Russian Orthodox Christian
President: Kurmanbek Bakiyev
Exports: Cotton, wool, meat, tobacco, gold, mercury
Poverty: 40% of the population
Brief history: Kyrgyzstan was formally incorporated into Russia in 1876 and became independent in 1991
