
Location
Landlocked in between the bear, the Russian
Federation, and the dragon, China.
Area
The 6th largest country in Asia, and the
18th largest in the world.
Surface area
1.566.500 square km.
Average altitude
1.580m above sea level.
Altitude capital Ulaanbaatar
1.350m above sea level.
Lowest point: Hoh Nuur
518 m above sea level.
Highest point: Nayramadlin Orgil
4,374 m above sea level.
Coldest month: January
Average temperature : - 35C
Warmest month: July
Average temperature: +25C
Scenery
Mountains dominate two-thirds of the country. Mongolia's
highest peaks are permanently snowcapped and with
glaciers. Some 2,000 lakes exist, and the largest
rivers exit Mongolia northwards to feed Lake Baikal
in Siberia. The mountainous areas include relatively
wet mountain meadow pastures and steppe regions. In
contrast southern Mongolia is dominated by the Famous
Gobi Desert.
Wildlife
Nearly 10% is forest, mainly conifers in the northern
region next to Siberia. Most of Mongolia is wide open
'steppe' grasslands in transition with the arid lands
of the Gobi Desert. The forests support wolf, wild
boar, elk, moose, deer, caribou, antelope and brown
bear. The steppes and forest margins support marmot,
muskrat, fox, steppe fox and sable. Remote mountains
support wild cats such as lynx and snow leopard. Mongolia
is the home of the wild ass, wild camel, wild sheep
and also nocturnal yellow gobi bear. The wild horse
(takhi) is being reintroduced from captive herds abroad.
Bird life is rich and includes golden eagle, bearded
vulture and other birds of prey, while the 2,000 lakes
are a magnet for water birds including storks and
even herring gull and relict gull. The 2,000 lakes
support 50 species of fish unique to Mongolia.
Nationality
Mongolian
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Population
2.3 million people, and one of the lowest population
densities in the world. 1.5 inhabitants per 1 sq.km.
Ethnic groups
85% Mongol, mostly Khalkha Mongol. 7% Turkic (mainly
Kazakh),
4.6% Tungusic. 3.4% other groups. Four million Mongols
live outside Mongolia.
Literacy
The Mongolian literacy is considered as one of the highest:
approximately 90 per cent. Educated working force is
already available. Most Mongolians speak and understand
Russian as it was compulsory at secondary schools during
communism. However, there is an urge for learning foreign
languages, especially English, Japanese, Germany among
young population.
Language
Over 90% Khalkha Mongol ('Mongolian Language'). The
script is Cyrillic due to Russian influence but a switch
back to traditional script has begun in schools. Minor
languages include Kazakh.
Religion
94% Tibetan Buddhist Lamas , also elements of Shamanism.
6% Muslim (mainly in the south- west).
Government of Mongolia
Parliamentary , with President second in authority to
State Great Hural (Parliament).
Constitution
1960 and 1992, some revision 1996.
Administrative subdivisions
21 Aimags (provinces), capital city 3 autonomous cities
( Darkhan, Erdenet, Choir)
Exchange rate
1165 Tugrugs = 1 USd (Jan, 2007)
Climate
Extreme continental; Desert.
(large temperature ranges, both daily and seasonal).
Terrain
Steppe, semidesert and desert plains, mountains.
Sunshine
Over 260 sunny days a year , often with clear cloudless
skies.
Rainfall and Snow
Snow and rainfall are very low, the climate being arid.
However, enough rain usually occurs in July and August
to swell rivers, and snow blizzards can occur in winter.
The highest peaks have small glaciers.
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The Gobi Desert - Southern Mongolia
The Gobi is the most mysterious place on earth The Gobi invites
you to reveal its secrets. This region is famous for its unique
natural formations, many places where you can dig and find
real dinosaur fossils, flora and fauna not found anywhere
else in the world. The area is often believed to be a lifeless
desert, but is actually mostly steppe, inhabited by camel
herders, rich in wildlife. It is home to the bactrian (two-humped)
camel and there is plenty to photograph- impressive herds
of gazelles & sightings of the rare Khulan (Asiatic wild
ass).
Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs)
This is internationally famous for its fossilized dinosaur
remains. Dinosaur nests with eggs were found here as well
as whole fossilized skeletons. Here, in 1922, a US Natural
History museum expedition led by Roy Chapman Andrews found
the first nest of dinosaur eggs the world had ever seen.
The Khongoriin Els sand dunes
The sand dunes extend along the northern side of Sevrei and
Zuulun mountain ranges. These dunes are 180 km long, 15-20
km wide and up to 200m high. There is a small oasis near Khongoriin
gol stream, which flows along the northern edge of the dunes.
The scenery here is simply spectacular.
Yoliin Am - Vulture's Gorge
Vulture's Gorge is a narrow valley located in the Zuun Saikhan
Mountain range, with thick pieces of ice almost all year around
hidden in its depths. This area is home to rare animals such
as the Argali (wild sheep) and Ibex as well as Vultures and
other large birds.
Khan Khentii - Eastern Mongolia
The homeland of Chinggis Khaan, Khan Khentii is covered with
forests, taiga and mountain forest steppe. It is described
in The Secret History of Mongols, and is a protected area
north-east of Ulaanbaatar.
Terelj National Park
Terelj National park is one of the most popular national parks
in Mongolia. Terelj is just 60km from Ulaanbaatar in the east
and features stunning granite mountains and flowery endless
grassy green meadows. This picturesque National Park is a
part of Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area. It is a great
place for hiking and trekking, even you can do rock climbing
here at its natural steep granite walls. Open during year
and is only two-hour drive from Ulaanbaatar.
Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve
Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve is truly the marvelous combination
of mountains, steppes, pretty lakes, rivers and wetlands with
its famous rare wildlife species. It is a home to the world
endangered Wild mountain sheep-Argali, White-napped crane,
Siberian White Crane, Hooded Crane, Swan Goose, Whooper swan
and so on. Over 80 Argali sheep inhabit peacefully now and
rare birds coming every summer in Gun-Galuut. Tourists visiting
the Nature Reserve have the opportunities to do watching and
taking photos of the endangered species, fishing, rafting
and kayaking in the lakes and rivers, hiking, trekking and
camping in the beautiful and peaceful nature, visiting nomadic
family, riding horse, yak and camel and getting introduced
to traditional nomadic lifestyle and culture. The reserve
is only 2 hour drive from Ulaanbaatar to the east.
Lake Huvsgul - The Blue Pearl of Asia - Northern Mongolia
Lake Huvsgul, the second largest freshwater lake in the world
after Lake Baikal in Buryatia, is popular for its pure water,
awesome Alpine-like landscapes and wonderful wildlife. At
1,645m above sea level, it is frozen from January until April
or May. There are different ethnic people living around it.
Here, shamanism survives as a religion among the Darkhads,
and the Tsaatan reindeer tribesmen. Lake Huvsgul region is
a destination in itself and an entire tour could be devoted
to this specific part of Mongolia.
The Ancient Capital Karakorum -Central Mongolia
In 1220 great Chinghis Khaan declared it as the capital city
of his vast Empire. Today there are many interesting sites
left to visit; the legendary turtle rock sculptures, Buddhist
stupas and the ruins of this once great city to name a few.
Erdenezuu - the 1st Buddhist monastery in Mongolia was established
in 1586. Today Erdenezuu monastery still shows its glory with
collections of many priceless religious objects and incredibly
beautiful Mongolian arts. It has a massive square wall, 420
meters in length each side, 108 Stupas & 17 temples.
Khorgo-Terkh National Park
This is one of the most beautiful national parks in Mongolia
with its crystal clear Terkh Lake and the Khorgo Volcano.
The nature beauty is awesome here and is a great place for
hiking, horse riding and relaxing. You can visit the Hell
of Yellow Dog, Ice Hole and the Youth Cave that are pretty
impressive!
Hustai National Park
Hustai is the place where the wild Takhi- Przewalski horses
have lived peacefully since 1993 when they were reintroduced
to their native land Mongolia. Here we are able to see and
photograph these beautiful wild horses at pasture and Red
Deer, Wolf, Asian Marmot, various species of waterfawls and
prey birds etc., as well.
Mongol Altai - Western Mongolia
The majestic Altai Mountain range dominates the western part
of Mongolia. The name Tavan Bogd (Five Saints - Five Holy
Peaks) was given to a cluster of 5 dramatic peaks that tower
the extensive Mongol Altai mountain range. The mountainous
area climate is extreme with very little vegetation, giving
the surrounding landscape a barren appearance.The stunning
mountains of Altai are home to wild animals such as the globally
endangered Snow Leopard, Argali and Ibex, as well as wolves
and many bird species.
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