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Mongolia is located in Central Asia bordering with three largest neighbors Russian Federation, Kazakhstan and People’s Republic of China. Surface territory is 1.566.500 sq. km. Mongolia is the 6th slargest country in Asia, and the 18th largest in the World.

The territory of Mongolia is a high land. The average elevation of the country is 1580 m. The highest point is Khuiten peak at 4374 m. The average elevation of Ulaanbaatar is 1350 m above sea level.

Mongolia weather is continental climate with a very long, dry, cold winter and brief mild summer. It is known as "The Land of Blue Sky" and enjoys 270 sunny days a year. The coldest month is January; the temperature average is -20-40C degrees. The warmest month is July and the temperature average is +25+35C. 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.

Remarkable scenery. Mountains dominate two-thirds of the country. Mongolia's highest peaks are permanently snow-capped and with glaciers. From snow-capped mountains to the desert, the landscape changes in the space of only a few kilometers.

The famous Gobi desert dominates the south and southwest. The west and south is a combination of desert steppe and the high Altai Mountains. The Taiga forest and the central and the east by vast grasslands cover the north. The flora and fauna associated to these natural zones is very reach and diversified. Endemic species include the saiga, antilope, jerboa, the Altai snowcock and the Mongolian grayling.

The main rivers of Mongolia are Orkhon, Onon, Kherlen, Tuul and Selenge. The biggest lakes in terms of surface are Uvs in the northwest and Khuvsgul in the north. Some 2.000 lakes exist, and the largest rivers exit Mongolia northwards to feed lake Baikal in Siberia, Russian Federation.

Nearly 10% is forest, mainly in the north next to Siberia. Most of Mongolia is wide-open 'steppe' grasslands in transition with the arid lands of the Gobi Desert. Forests support Wolf, Wild Bear, Elk (Moose), Deer, Caribou, Antelope and Brown Bear. 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 home of the wild Ass, Wild Camel and Wild Sheep. Wild Horse (Takhi) is being reintroduced from captivity abroad. Bird life is rich and includes Golden Eagle, Bearded Vulture and other birds, while the 2.000 lakes are magnet for water birds including Storks and even Herring Gull and Relict Gull.

The national flag of the Mongolia is red with a vertical blue stripe down the middle. On the upper part of the flag is the Soyembo national symbol. The colors of the national flag are in keeping with age-old Mongolian symbolism. Red, the color of fire, symbolizes prosperity and progress whilst blue, the color of the sky, means eternity and peace. The national flag of Mongolia takes its origin from the banner of the 1921 People’s Revolution.

Soyembo is an old ideogram symbolizing the Mongols’ freedom and independence. As long ago as 17th century it was depicted on the banners of warriors’ fighting against the Manchurian invaders and later, on the battle standards of the guerillas of the 1921 People’s Revolution. The national flag of Mongolia was adopted in 1940.

Today, as mentioned above, Soyembo graces the National flag of Mongolia. Each element of this symbol has it own meaning. The three-tongued flame crowning the emblem symbolizes the nations’ past, present and future prosperity: from the time immemorial fire has meant the continuation of the family and the clan. Depicted underneath the flame are the sun and the crescent, both old Mongolian totems. “ We are the people whose father is the new moon and whose mother is the golden sun”, say old Mongolian legends. The flame together with sun and the crescent symbolize the prosperity and progress of the Mongolian nation.

According to age-old Mongolian symbolism, the spear or arrow tip turned downwards signifies victory over the enemy. The two triangles in the upper and lower parts of the ideogram tell about the people’s determination to uphold the freedom and independence. The rectangle is the symbol of uprightness, honesty and nobleness. The two rectangles, one in the upper and the other in the lower part of Soyembo, seem to say: “May all people, both the rulers and the ruled, be honest and straightforward in serving the country”.

In the center of Soyembo is the old symbol signifying the unity of pairs of natural elements: fire and water; earth and sky, man and woman. According to other interpretation, this symbol denotes two fishes continuously moving the round the closed circle. The Mongols see fish as a symbol of vigilance since fish never close their eyes. Fish also symbolize reason and wisdom. The two vertical lines at the sides of the emblem mean friendship and staunchness. As an old Mongolian saying goes, “Two friends are stronger than stone walls”.

The name 'Mongol' was first recorded in the 10th century. The Mongol Empire were a confederation of rival clans until 1206 when Mongol named Temuujin (1162-1227) emerged and managed to unite most of the Mongol tribes. In 1206 he was given the honorary name of Chinggis Khaan, meaning “King like the SEA”. He gathered a loyal army stamped out feuds and set up his capital in present-day Khara Khorum.

Chinggis Khaan's grandson Khubilai Khaan become emperor of China's Yuan dynasty between 1271-1368. This was the height of the Mongols' glory: the empire stretched from Korea to Hungary and as far south as Vietnam, making it the largest empire the world has ever known. The grandeur of the Mongol Empire in China lasted over a century.

Mongolia was an independent state until 1634 when it became a part of the Manchurian King Empire. More than 200 years later as the result of the Mongolian national movement for independence. December 1st, 1911 when Mongols declared their independence and Mongol Monarchy was established. Between 1911-1924, Bogd Khaan was leading the Mongolia. The people's revolution led by D. Sukhbaatar and his associates was won in 1921. Since then, July 11, 12th of every year has been celebrated as the anniversary of the victory of the revolution. On November 26th, 1924, the Mongolian People's Republic was declared and Mongolia became the world's second communist country.

In March 1990, large pro-democracy protests erupted by Mongolian Democratic Coalition. In May the government amended the Constitution to permit multiparty elections in June 1990. Freedom of speech, religion and assembly were all granted. Four years later, on 30 June 1996, the Mongolian Democratic Coalition won the elections, ending 75 years of unbroken communist rule. However, in 2000, Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party won the parliamentary election and became the majority in the Parliament.

Statistically, the population density in Mongolia is 1,5 people per square kilometer, one of the lowest in the world. One third of the population lives in the major cities of the country. Another third of the Mongolians are nomads, living in the traditional felt tent called "Ger" and moving with their pet animals to the pastures at least two times per year.

Mongolia is a land of young people. 70% of the population is under 30 years of age and 40 percent is of them younger than 14 years. Mongolia is a homogenous state with 85% Mongols, mostly Khalkha Mongol. Also, 7% Kazakhs, 4.6% Tungusic and 3.4% other small nations. 94% Tibetan Buddhist Lamaism, 4% Muslim (mainly in the south-west), also included some elements of Shamanism.

Over the 90% Khalkha Mongolians are speaking by Mongolian Language. Minor languages include Kazakhs. The script is Cyrillic due to Russian influence but a switch back to traditional “Uigarjin” script. English is replacing Russia as the second language.

Mongolia is a parliamentary republic. The Head of the State is the President, elected for four years terms. The present President is Mr. Natsagyn Bagabandi, who was elected in 1997 and reelected in 2001. The legislative body is the State Great Khural, a unicameral parliament with 76 members elected for four years terms. The last elections were held in 2000.

The Government is the highest executive body of the State and consists of 9 Ministers. The Prime Minister is appointed by the State Great Khural (Parliament) for four years. The present Prime Minister is Mr. Nambariin Enkhbayar, appointed in 2000.

Mongolian judicial system consists of Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, aimag (province) and capital city courts, somon (county) and district courts. Mongolia is a unitary state. The territory of Mongolia is administratively divided into 21 aimags (province) and a capital city; aimags are subdivided into soums; soums into bags; and the capital city into districts; districts into khoroos.

Traditionally based on livestock breeding, the Mongolian economy is developing rapidly in the frame of free market conditions since 1990.

Since 1996, the Government has undertaken a bold reform agenda aimed at stabilizing the economy, strengthening the role of the private sector, increasing private investment and improving the environment for foreign investment. With the support of a broad consensus for its reform agenda, the Government implemented a tight monetary and fiscal policies, initiated financial sector reform, liberalized energy prices, eliminated tariffs, introduced a value added tax (VAT) and launched large scale privatization program. These actions resulted in considerable progress on macroeconomic stabilization.

The main contribution to GDP is made by mining and cashmere processing sectors.
Total external trade turnover for 2001 equaled US$ 940.0 million, of which US$ 385.2 million in exports and US$ 554.8 million in imports.

The main Mongolian export products are: minerals (copper, molybdenum, tin and flour-spar concentrates), raw materials of animal origin (wool, cashmere, hides, skins and furs), consumer goods (leather, sheepskin and fur garments, carpets, cashmere and camel wool knitwear, woolen and cashmere blankets).

The import products mainly comprise petroleum products, equipment and spare parts, vehicles, metals, chemicals, construction materials, food and consumer goods.

Mongolia's national currency is "Tugrug"-MNT. MNT 1120 equals to USD 1 as of November 2002. Bank notes are 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500,1000,5000, 10000 tugricks. There is no limit on foreign currency, traveller's cheques to be brought into Mongolia, but this currency must be registered at Mongolian customs.

The Mongolian way of life is nomadic and intimately connected with the ways of animals. Despite urbanization, the traditions of the steppes live on. Even in the cities, most Mongolians continue to live in a Ger, a large, white felt tent that can be easily moved.

Buddhism and nomadism dominate Mongolia’s paintings, music and literature. Tsam dances are Shamanistic rituals performed to exercise evil spirits. Usually located on mountain peaks or passes, ovoos are cairn-like piles of rocks and branches where at certain times of the year local people gather and make offerings to the spirit of the mountain, praying for the well-being of people and animals.

The most important feast is Naadam, which is celebrated every year 11-13 July with wrestling, horse races and archery competitions. The most important holiday is Tsagaan sar (Lunar New year). It’s celebrates every springs beginning time by old Mongolian calendar.

The traditional musical instrument is the horse-fidel Morin khuur. In Mongolian khoomi singing, carefully trained male voices produce harmonic overtones from deep in the throat, releasing several notes at once.

Your local guides will introduce you to Mongolian culture and customs. Respecting customs is respecting Mongolians as well as the spirits and nature forces.

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Mongolian Felt Tent - Ger

Ger is the name commonly used to refer to a Mongolian Felt Tent or Ger. Mongolians do not usually appreciate the term because Western invaders most often use it. So, in spite of this page's title, we will attempt to use Ger wherever possible. A Ger is really more than a tent. The Mongols live in them year round and tend to prefer them to other forms of housing. The design has been developed for generations to suit the needs of its inhabitants. It can be warm in arctic cold, yet cool in summer. The structure can collapse small enough to fit on one draft animal and can be set up again in a half an hour. There are last different elements in the Ger:

Lattice Walls (Khana) These walls are formed by several individual sections of cress crossed latticework, much like baby gate. These wall sections were constructed of wooden poles joined together with leather lacing at the crossings. The number of crossings along the top would usually be from ten to fifteen. The number of crossings along the length of a pole would usually be thirteen, a number of spiritual significance. The wall sections are usually butted, meaning they end square with the use of shorter poles. Each wall section can obviously be collapsed to take up very little room.

Door. The door, with the two ends of the qana coming to meet on either side of its wooden framing, can be strikingly modern in appearance. It is usually constructed completely of wood but sometimes incorporates felt as well. The door's threshold is believed to contain the spirit of the house and it is forbidden, and a great offense to the Ger's owner, to step on it.

Roof Ring (toghona). The roof ring is the most complex element in Ger construction. It is usually a hoop of wood containing slots or holes that the roof poles can lock into. The interior of the ring can contain many different designs but must be relatively open to allow smoke and air flow. During bad weather is it covered with a piece of felt or hide (called an eruke).

Roof Poles (uni). Roof poles are simply the wooden beams that form the roof skeleton. They are usually shaved down on one side to allow them hook into the roof ring. The other end of a roof pole is laid against the top of the qana or its lashings.

Felt (isegei). Like all ger materials, this is manufactured local to Mongolia. In the states, we'd probably call this canvas. During really cold times of year, many layers might be used, including animal hides. This covering is secured using ropes. The ropes and felt are made from hair, human and other.

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