Timeline: Kyrgyzstan

A chronology of key events:

8th century - Arab invaders conquer Central Asia, including what is now Kyrgyzstan, and introduce Islam.

10th-13th centuries - Kyrgyz people migrate southwards from the Yenisey River region in central Siberia to the Tian-Shan region.

Tien Shan mountains straddle Kyrgyzstan, China, Kazakhstan

1685 - Kyrgyz people settle in the area that is now Kyrgyzstan; area conquered by the Oirats, a Mongol people, after centuries of Turkic rule.

1758 - Oirats defeated by Chinese Manchus and Kyrgyz become nominal subjects of Chinese empire.

Early 19th century - Kyrgyz come under the jurisdiction of the Uzbek khanate of Kokand, to the west.

Russian rule

1876 - Russian forces conquer the khanate of Kokand and incorporate what is now Kyrgyzstan into the Russian empire.

1916-17 - Many Kyrgyz seek refuge in China, across the eastern border, following the Russian suppression of rebellion in Central Asia and the outbreak of civil war in the wake of the 1917 October Revolution in Russia.

1920s and 1930s - Soviet land reforms, which consolidate all arable and grazing lands into large state-owned farms, upset the traditional Kyrgyz way of life, which is based on nomadic livestock-herding, forcing some Kyrgyz to escape to the mountains and to China; Kyrgyz Communist Party established as the sole legal party; many members of the Kyrgyz intelligentsia, including Communists, who express dissent are imprisoned or executed.

Kyrgyz nomads live in tent-like dwellings called Yurts

1920s - Many formerly nomadic Kyrgyz resettled as part of land reforms; improvements in literacy and education made.

1921 - Area of present-day Kyrgyzstan becomes part of the Turkestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (ASSR) within the Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic (RSFSR).

1924 - Kara-Kirgiz Autonomous Region (renamed Kirgiz Autonomous Region in 1925) formed, corresponding to the borders of present-day Kyrgyzstan, after the Soviet authorities delineate new territories in Central Asia along ethnic lines.

1926 - Kyrgyz Autonomous Region upgraded to an ASSR.

1936 - Kyrgyzstan becomes a constituent republic within USSR.

1990 - Kyrgyz Communist Party leadership opposes change to the Soviet constitution which allows non-Communist parties to take part in political life; state of emergency imposed after several hundred people are killed in interethnic clashes between Uzbeks and Kyrgyz over access to land and housing around the town of Osh, near border with Uzbekistan; Askar Akayev, a liberal academic on the reform wing of the Kyrgyz Communist Party, elected by the legislature to the newly created post of president.

Independence

1991 - Kyrgyzstan acquires its present name, dropping Kirgizia, and declares independence; Mr Akayev joins Russian leader Boris Yeltsin in openly resisting the anti-Gorbachev coup by conservative Communists in Moscow; Mr Akayev wins another term in direct elections in which he stands unopposed; Kyrgyzstan joins Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

Askar Akayev, president for 15 years, was ousted amid protests Profile: Askar Akayev

1992 - Kyrgyzstan joins the United Nations and the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, the predecessor of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE); economic reform programme launched.

1993 - Russian rouble replaced by som as unit of currency.

1995 - Mr Akayev re-elected with more than 70% of the vote.

1996 - Referendum overwhelmingly approves constitutional amendment which concentrates more power in the hands of the president while limiting the powers of the legislature.

1998 - Moratorium on death penalty announced.

1998 July - Constitutional Court decides Mr Akayev should be allowed to run for third term as president in 2000.

1998 December - Kyrgyzstan becomes first former Soviet republic to join World Trade Organisation.

1999 August/September - Troops sent in after Islamic militants seize numerous hostages and several villages near Tajik border. Hostages eventually reported to have been released after fierce fighting.

RADIOACTIVE SITES Mayluu-Suu complex: Uranium deposits were worked until 1967 Complex is in an area of high seismic activity Four other sites have similar problems 2005: Kyrgyz hunt for radioactive matter

2000 August - Government forces again engage Islamic fighters who cross border from Tajikistan and seize hostages.

2000 November - Askar Akayev re-elected president for a further five years. International observers report elections flawed.

2001 June - Kyrgyzstan joins China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in launching the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) which states its aims as fighting ethnic and religious militancy and promoting trade and investment.

2002 January - Leading opposition deputy Azimbek Beknazarov is detained on charges which supporters say are politically motivated and linked to his criticism of the government's planned transfer of disputed land to China and Kazakhstan.

2002 February - Prominent human rights activist Sherali Nazarkulov dies while on hunger strike to protest against Mr Beknazarov's detention.

2002 March - Five killed in clashes with police during a protest demanding the release of Mr Beknazarov in the southern, regional capital Jalal-Abad.

2002 May - Leading opposition politician Felix Kulov is sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was arrested in March 2000 for alleged abuse of office while national security minister, acquitted in July 2000, but later re-arrested.

Kant airbase - Russia's first base on foreign soil since Soviet times 2003: Military rivalry in Kyrgyzstan

Bakiyev government resigns after a state commission rules that senior officials were to blame for the death of five civilian protestors in March. Nikolay Tanayev appointed prime minister.

Azimbek Beknazarov is freed after being given a one-year suspended sentence for abuse of office.

Parliament ratifies border deal with China.

2002 October - Kyrgyzstan, China stage their first-ever joint military exercise, which aims to co-ordinate their response to terrorism.

2002 November - Scores arrested as opposition protesters march on capital, demanding president's resignation. PM Tanayev accuses demonstrators of trying to destabilize the country and seize power, appeals for calm.

2002 December - Explosion at Bishkek market kills seven people. Investigation points to terrorist bomb.

2003 February - Referendum approves constitutional change which Akayev says is intended to redistribute some of his powers to parliament. Some analysts see it as an attempt by the president to consolidate his hold on power. International observers and opposition report widespread voting irregularities.

Golden eagle and Kyrgyz hunter

2003 May - Six arrested following explosion in southern city of Osh which leaves one dead.

2003 June - Lower house of parliament passes bill granting President Akayev and two former Soviet-era Communist Party leaders lifelong immunity from prosecution.

2003 October - President Putin opens Russian air base at Kant, near a base used by US forces.

End of Akayev era

2005 February - Parliamentary elections spark wave of protests as numerous independent and opposition candidates are barred from standing.

2005 March - Protests escalate following second round of parliamentary elections. Demonstrators take over official buildings in south. Rallies call for President Akayev's resignation.

Protests over disputed 2005 poll led to fall of President Akayev Q&A: Kyrgyzstan protests 2005: In pictures - Kyrgyzstan protests

Protests spread to Bishkek where demonstrators seize official buildings. President Akayev leaves for Russia. Supreme Court annuls results of recent elections although electoral commission says they were valid. Kurmanbek Bakiyev says old parliament has appointed him acting president and prime minister.

Opposition leader Felix Kulov released from jail. Former charges against him are subequently dropped.

Newly-elected parliament recognises Bakiyev as acting president and prime minister. He acknowledges it as legitimate. Old parliament agrees to dissolve.

2005 April - Askar Akayev, still in Moscow, resigns as president.

2005 June - Key anti-Akayev opposition figure Azimbek Beknazarov appointed prosecutor-general. Vows to campaign against corruption.

MP Jyrgalbek Surabaldiyev shot dead in Bishkek

Bakiyev poll victory

2005 July - Kurmanbek Bakiyev wins a landslide victory in presidential polls.

Kyrgyz nomads in traditional dress

2005 August - President Bakiyev inaugurated. Nominates Felix Kulov as premier.

2005 September - Azimbek Beknazarov sacked as prosecutor-general.

MP, head of the national Olympic Committee and controversial businessman Bayaman Erkinbayev shot dead.

2005 October - MP Tynychbek Akmatbayev and other officials shot dead during visit to prison near Bishkek following prison unrest over conditions.

The unrest spreads to other jails and there are several more deaths when the authorities use force to suppress it.

2006 January - Wrestler Raatbek Sanatbayev, a candidate for the presidency of the Kyrgyz Olympic committee, shot dead. The post became vacant when the previous holder was killed.

Protests

2006 February - Parliament speaker Omurbek Tekebayev resigns after row with President Bakiyev, goes on to become opposition leader.

Thousands of protesters demand that President Bakiyev act to fight crime and corruption or resign.

2006 May - Controversial public figure and former convict Ryspek Akmatbayev, brother of MP killed in prison unrest in 2005, shot dead.

Several killed in gun battle following attack on border post in Batken region in Fergana valley. The gunmen are said to have broken through from Tajikistan.

Protests heralded diminished powers for the president 2006: Clashes erupt in Kyrgyz capital 2006: Kyrgyz president agrees changes

Mass protests demand constitutional reform and more action to combat crime and corruption.

2006 August - Thousands mourn Imam Rafik Kamalov, a popular preacher from the Ferghana valley near the Uzbek border who was killed in a crackdown on alleged Islamic rebels by special forces.

International bodies condemn Kyrgyz decision to repatriate several Uzbek citizens who fled across the border after the 2005 bloodshed in neighbouring Andijan region.

2006 September - Opposition leader Omurbek Tekebayev is arrested at Warsaw airport when heroin is found in his luggage. He is released after he says the drug was planted.

2006 November - President signs a new constitution that limits his powers after thousands of protesters rally in Bishkek, accusing him of not delivering reforms and demanding his resignation.

2006 December - Government resigns, paving the way for early parliamentary elections.

President Bakiyev pushes revisions to November constitution through parliament. Some of his powers, particularly over government appointments, are reinstated.

2007 January - Azim Isabekov becomes prime minister after parliament twice rejects President Bakiyev's bid to reinstate Felix Kulov.

2007 February - Felix Kulov joins opposition calls for the president's resignation.

2007 March - Government resigns and moderate opposition leader Almaz Atabayev named prime minister in the face of opposition plans to hold demonstrations in April.

2007 April - Police use force to disperse a week-long demonstration in Bishkek held to demand President Bakiyev's resignation.

2007 May - Medical report says Prime Minister Almaz Atabayev was poisoned with a toxin of unknown origin, in an incident he says is linked to government privatization plans.

2007 October - Voters in referendum approve constitutional changes, which the opposition present as a step towards authoritarianism. Monitors criticise conduct of the vote.

Bakiyev dissolves parliament, calls fresh elections.

2007 December - Parliamentary elections. The president's Ak Zhol party wins most seats in parliament, the opposition none. Western observers say the poll was marred by fraud.

2008 October - Major earthquake hits southern province of Osh. At least 65 people are killed.

2009 January - US General David Petraeus holds talks in Bishkek about the future of the US air base at Manas, used to supply Western troops operating in Afghanistan.

President Kurmanbek Bakiyev announces the closure of the US air base at Manas, after Russia offers Kyrgyzstan more than $2bn in loans and other financial help during talks in Moscow. The US embassy in Kyrgyzstan denies having been notified of the decision, and says talk on the base's future continue.