| COUNTRY: | Kyrgyzstan |
| ISSUE DATE: | 25 November 2016 |
| THEME: | Navigation on Lake Issyk-Kul |
| CIRCULATION: | 9 500 pieces each stamp — 3 500 |
| STAMP SIZE: | 46 х 27.5 mm |
| SHEET SIZE: | 113 x 108 mm |
| ARTIST: | Oleg Cojocari |
| STAMP DESIGN: | Aliona Cojocari |
Issyk-Kul is an endorheic lake in the northern Tian Shan mountains in eastern Kyrgyzstan. It is the tenth largest lake in the world by volume (though not in surface area), and the second largest saline lake after the Caspian Sea. Issyk-Kul means "warm lake" in the Kyrgyz language; although it is surrounded by snow-capped peaks, it never freezes.
The lake contains highly endemic fish biodiversity, and some of the species, including four endemics, are seriously endangered. In recent years catches of all species of fish have declined markedly, due to a combination of over-fishing, heavy predation by two of the introduced species, and the cessation of lake restocking with juvenile fish from hatcheries.
The natural pearl of Kyrgyzstan occupies 6th place in the list of the deepest lakes on the planet. The first large ships on Issyk-Kul were sailing longboats and schooners. In the twentieth century the relay was accepted by more powerful and efficient motor ships.
In 1925 it was created the Issyk-Kul State Shipping Company, which played a major role in the transport shipping in the region. Cargo and passenger ships carried out transportation between the cities of Rybachye (now Balykchy) and Przhevalsk (nowadays Karakol), as well as other wharfs. It was the highest mountain fleet in the USSR.
Issyk-Kul has played and continues to play a significant role in military and naval matters. The testing facilities of the Russian Navy are located on the Lake, where torpedo weapons are tested.
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