Kursu

Kursu is a small rural settlement located in the Chüy Region of northern Kyrgyzstan, approximately 30 kilometres east of the capital city, Bishkek. Administratively, it forms part of the Moskva District and is situated near the southern foothills of the Kemin Ala-Too range. The village lies at an elevation of roughly 800 metres above sea level and is surrounded by a mixed landscape of steppe grasslands and cultivated fields.

The name “Kursu” is derived from a local Turkic word meaning “river bend,” reflecting the settlement’s proximity to a meandering tributary of the Chüy River. Historically, the area was inhabited by nomadic Kyrgyz tribes who used the fertile floodplain for seasonal pasturing. During the Soviet era, Kursu was established as a collective farm (kolkhoz) focused on wheat cultivation and livestock breeding. After Kyrgyzstan’s independence in 1991, the former kolkhoz was reorganized into a cooperative agricultural enterprise, and the village’s population, recorded at 1,174 in the 2021 census, largely engages in farming, animal husbandry, and small‑scale trade.

Infrastructure in Kursu includes a primary school, a health post, a community centre, and a modest market that serves surrounding hamlets. The village is connected to the regional road network by a paved road linking it to the town of Kemin and further to the national highway M-39, facilitating transport of agricultural produce to larger markets in Bishkek. Utilities such as electricity and piped water are available, although internet access remains limited.

Culturally, Kursu maintains traditional Kyrgyz customs, including celebrations of Nooruz, local folk music, and horse‑riding games. The surrounding natural environment offers opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking and fishing, contributing modestly to eco‑tourism in the region.