COVER N.119 - KYRGYZSTAN

Postmark:  Kyrgyz Express Post Bishkek - 729001 18.05.2022
Posted on the 18th May; received on the 27th May 2022
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Kyrgyzstan. Another former Soviet Republic on the silk road, neighbouring  other 3 same such "...ystan" - what translates as "the land of" -  countries: Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the West, Tajikistan to the South and China to the East.

Thanks to the usual suspect, I can now add another nice entry into my philatelic Atlas. Un très grand merci, Roland!

An independent Republic since Christmas day 1991, the history of Kyrgystan has since been one of political and social unrest, as far as I could learn here and there on the internet. This notwithstanding the country is always described as  immensely beautiful and the pictures I've looked at, do indeed support this allegation.

Kyrgyzstan has two designated postal operators - "Kyrgyz Pochtasy" SE and "Kyrgyz Express Post" LLC. both issuing stamp sets.

The cover I received was posted with the two stamps of the set issued by Kyrgyz Express Post on 07JUL2017, celebrating the  19th International Botanical Congress that took place in Shenzen, China, during the week of 24-28 July 2017, which was attended by more than 6,000 botanists from around the world.

The International Botanical Congress is the body entrusted at world level with the supervision of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN), so any formal changes in the taxonomy of algae, fungi and plants has to be validated by this body, I presume.

The two very beautiful stamps  are denominated at 50 and 100 Kyrgyzstani som, the lesser value stamp being illustrated with a Peony, while the higher value stamp bears the image of a Chrysanthemum.

The very clear postmark indicates that the cover was mailed from the country's capital, Bishkek.