Bishkek is located at about 800m above sea level. In 2005 the population is estimated to be about 900.000 people.
From 1926 to 1991 the city was known as Frunze after the Bolshevik military leader Mikail Frunze.
Following the break up of the Soviet Union Kyrgyzstan achieved its independence in 1991 and renamed the capital again Bishkek. The name Bishkek in Kyrgyz represents a mix used to make fermented mare’s milk called Kumis which is a typical national drink of Kyrgyz.

The city was home of many industrial plants during the Soviet area, but at present several of them have shut down or reduced their operating. It had also a major Soviet military pilot training school, Mubarak (the later President of Egypt) was one of its students.