Mongolia
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At a glance
- Region
- Eastern Asia
- Capital
- Ulan Bator
- Population
- 3.5 million (2024)
- Area
- 1,564,110 km²
- Languages
- Mongolian
- Currency
- Mongolian tögrög (MNT)
- Drives on the
- right
- Calling code
- +976
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Before you go
Overview
Mongolia is a landlocked country situated in northern Asia. Most of its land is semi-arid covered by rocky deserts.
It recorded a population of 3.17 million in 2018 and it covers an area of 1.564 km2. The capital city is Ulaanbaatar. It has vast Buddhist monastery ruins.
Karakorum was the old capital of the ancient Mongol Empire.
Camels in a patch of vegetation in the Gobi Desert.
History
Mongolia was under China Qing rule in 1691. It became independent in 1921.
Between 1921 and 1980s, the country was a one-party state and it had very close links to the Soviet Union.
The first multi-party elections were held in 1990.
Prime Minister Norov Altankhuyag was laid off through a parliamentary vote of no confidence in 2914 and was taken over by Chimed Saikhanbileg. Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh was elected the prime minister on October 2017.
Food & culture
Mongolian culture is made of beliefs from Buddhist and shamanism religions. It also incorporates nomadic values and traditions.
The crops grown in the country include corn, wheat, barley and potatoes. Due to the traditional nomadic way of life, Mongolian cuisine is predominantly made up of dairy products such as meat and animal fats.
Wildlife
The most common wildlife species include Siberian Ibex, snow leopards, Przewalski’s horse, gobi bear, musk deer, black-tailed gazelle, wild boar, wild sheep and wild Bactrian camel.
Festivals & events
The ice festival is held on 2nd/3rd March. The Silver reeds festival is held from 7th to 8th March. Nauryz festival is held from 21st to 23rd March.
Other festivals include Ulaanbaatar marathon festival, nomadic naadam and moto music festival.
Things to see
Bogd Khan Uul National Park, Khustan Nuruu National Park and Terelj National Park are homes to a variety of species of wildlife.
Gandan Khild is a Buddhist monastery with around six hundred monks residing in it.
The National Museum of Mongolia and Natural History Museum displays the history of the country.
Interesting facts
The major religion is Buddhism.
The official language is Mongolian.
Gobi desert in Mongolia is the coldest and northernmost desert in the world.
