land of large deserts, nomadic society, and traditional life.

Mongolia is a Central Asian country that is landlocked; it is a land of extremes; the steppes in the country go on as far as the eyes can see, the mountains in the north stand tall, and the Gobi Desert takes most of the land in the southern direction. Its History The history of nomadic tradition, ancient empires and modern-day developments in the country provide the visitors with the most memorable initiate. Mongolia is characterized by the unique cultural heritage, breath-taking beauty of the mountains, and hospitality.

Learn more about Mongolia’s unique culture and history on this informative page wikipedia.

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Geographical Location

Mongolia is sandwiched between Russia and China north and south respectively. It is also one of the world’s largest landlocked nations with an area of 1.56 million square kilometers. Nevertheless, its population is rather small, and Mongolia is one of the least populated countries on our planet. The nation boasts of the rugged, multi-varied geographical terrains that comprise extensive steppes, Gobi desert, high mountainous ranges and so on.

Landforms and Natural features

One of the most outstanding features of Mongolia is its diverse landscape. Mountains compose most of the country; north and western winds are dominated by mountains, and the Altai and Khangai mountain ranges offer hiking, skiing and wildlife viewing. The vast steppes that dominated the central and eastern regions of the country serve as a perfect fit to the nomadic herding culture of the Mongols.

The southern region of Mongolia is situated by the renowned Gobi Desert which is one of the biggest deserts worldwide. This barren land has a lot of paleontological heritage with the remains of the dinosaurs fossilized all over the land. Lakes, rivers and national parks in Mongolia also add to this beauty and attraction to it in terms of eco-tourism.

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Old and Middle Aged History

The history of Mongolia is full of traditions of nomad tribes, which have penetrated into its numerous steppes long before the creation of the modern state. Ancient Mongols belonged to a greater Turkic nomadic culture, its horse herding, and migration became the base of Mongolian society.

Among the most important time frames in the Mongolian history is the birth of the Mongol Empire in the 13 th century led by one Genghis Khan. Genghis Khan was the one who was able to unite the tribes of Mongols and establish an empire that reached as far as Eastern Europe and as far as China and thus became the largest contiguous empire in the history of the world. His rule is commended because of its military power, exchanging of cultures, and the silk road trade that thrives in the rule of the Mongols.

The Yuan Dynasty and the Decline of Mongols

The empire formed by Genghis Khan finally divided into a series of khanates after his demise, yet the most well-noted among the Mongols was the Yuan Dynasty in the kingdom of China, which was started in 1271 and ended in 1368. Nevertheless, with the decline of the Yuan Dynasty,the political strength of the Mongols slowly declined and Mongolia was thus turned into a group of disunified kingdoms.

In the 17th century, Mongolia was annexed by the Qing Empire (China) and so was occupied by China for nearly 200 years. Buddhism was also being spread further and more Buddhists converted to Tibetan Buddhism.

The 20th Century and Independence

In 1911 Mongolia freed itself of Chinese rule, though it was officially accepted by the world only in 1921 when the Russian Revolution took place. Mongolia was converted to communism and became strongly allied to the Soviet Union and was run on a Soviet model till 1990. Mongolia made a peaceful shift in that year to multi-party democracy after being communist

Ethnic Groups and Language

Most people who live in Mongolia are ethnically Mongol with the other minority groups Ethnically Kazakhes representing a smaller percentage of the total population. The country’s official language is Mongolian which uses the usual vertical writing text. Although Mongolian is the main language that is spoken, the Russian, and English languages are also used, although mostly in urban areas such as Ulaanbaatar.

Mongolia is also characterized by a huge number of religious traditions, which is influenced by the cultural range. It has mainly Buddhist people mainly Tibetan Buddhism, worship of shamanic beliefs, and other folk religions that became the input of Mongolian spirituality.

Nomadic Lifestyle

Mongolian culture is characterised by the nomadic lifestyle. A number of the Mongolians still adhere to the ancient rules of livestock rearing of horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and camels. The system for nomadic families is revealed in the informative fact that the tactile nature of Mongolian people is characterized by gers (yurts) that are tents which could be easily set up or broken up as the people were supposed to be nomads.

It is not only the matter of survival but also the much-needed aspect of what Mongolia is. The association between the people and the land, especially the bond with the horses given that they are a major part of Mongolian life and culture, is often celebrated through festivals, music and arts.

Naadam Festival

Naadam, which is the most significant national holiday and festival in Mongolia, occurs on an annual basis every July. It praises the Three Manly Games of wrestling, archery and horse racing which are very old sports that are much connected with the history and culture of Mongolians. The festival is celebrated nationwide and the largest one is held in the capital of the country, Ulaanbaatar, where thousands of people can spectate as the sportsmen participate in such classic games.

Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year)

The Mongolian New Year is called Tsagaan Sar and is celebrated at the end of January or the beginning of February, according to the lunar calendar. It is among the greatest cultural festivals in Mongolia, which is celebrated to end the winter and welcome spring. The holiday traditions are the many feasts, gift exchange, and a visit to the elders by the families.

Buddhist Festivals

Mongolia has a rich Buddhist culture and there are a lot of religious festivals, including such festivities as Saga Dawa celebrating the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha. An essential aspect of life in the Mongolian society especially in Buddhist monasteries such as Gandan and Erdene Zuu is Buddhist rituals and ceremonies which take various forms ranging to the prayers, dances and processions.

The Nomadic Traditions, to the Modern Industry

Agriculture and livestock

The economy of Mongolia has always been centered around agriculture and livestock with herding and animal husbandry being major sectors in the rural economy. Mongolians farm sheep, goats, yaks, and camels and they produce wool, meat, and milk, and Mongolia also produces much cashmere in the world market. It also cultivates grains, vegetables and fruits in its fertile river valleys.

Mining And Natural Resources

In the last several decades, Mongolia has had the time to develop the mining sector, which now is one of the most significant driving factors of the economy. The nation is well endowed with natural resources like coal, copper, gold, and uranium. Mining has resulted in heavy foreign investment especially that of China and it has also led to very fast economic development. Nonetheless, the mining industry poses some of the challenges in environment sustainability and wealth distribution.

Tourism

The case of Mongolia is also a developing industry considered tourism, which attracts tourists to visit natural beauties, historical landmarks, and exclusive cultural sites. Large steppes, Gobi desert and nomadic culture are the prime attractions along with historical sites such as Montego Capitol of Kharkhorum and ruins of the Mongol Empire. The emerging tourist industry in Mongolia revolves around spiritual tourism, culture, and adventure travel.

Tourist attractions one should not miss

Ulaanbaatar

The capital and the largest city of Mongolia Ulaanbaatar is the modern center which combines the touch of soviet architecture with the modern buildings. The Gandan Monastery, the National Museum of Mongolia and Zaisan Memorial are some of the places that one can visit when in Ulaan Baatar.

Gobi Desert

Gobi Desert is the most popular sight of Mongolia, which is full of bulky, sandy dunes, unusual rock formations, and the bones of dinosaurs. Tourists will have an opportunity to ride across the desert on camels, visit the Flaming Cliffs (Bayanzag), and see the tremendous emptiness and picturesqueness of one of the most famous deserts on the planet.

Lake Khovsgol

Lake Khovsgol in the northern region of Mongolia comes to the Russian border which has been well known to have clear water, mountains and various animals all over. It is a well-travelled hiking site and kayaking site. It has a number of native groups like Tsaatan people.

Healthcare System

In recent years, the healthcare system of Mongolia has been dramatically changed, and the government is trying to arrange the medical services in a way that they can be reached by the citizens of rural and urban regions. A network of hospitals and clinics, especially in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, exists within the country but in the rural areas, healthcare access, and infrastructure are commonly a problem.

Education System

Mongolia attaches a lot of importance to education, and has gone fairly far in advancing literacy and access to education. Both primary and secondary education is free and it is compulsory and there are a few universities and colleges in Mongolia. There are however problems associated with rural urban, teacher quality and infrastructure in the education system.

Transport Network

The transportation system of Mongolia is expanding; its road network, rail and air transport is connected between the major cities and regions. Mongolia contains the Trans-Siberian railway connecting Mongolia with Russia and China. The road network is currently being expanded but rural locations may remain in-accessible. There is an international airport in Ulaanbaatar that enables flights that link the city with other local and international destinations.

Urban Development

This capital city is advancing at an alarming rate, with new infrastructural projections like shopping malls, office buildings and housing. The city has its problems of air pollution, traffic congestion and sustainable development. There are all attempts to solve these problems without losing the cultural background of the city.

Traveler friendly time

Ideal Seasons

The weather is at its best during summer months (June to August) and this is the best time to fly to Mongolia as the country is naturally beautiful at this time. It is also the time when a good number of festivals such as Naadam are celebrated. Winter (November-February) might be very cold (it is not rare that the temperatures reach about -30 C -22 F), but it is the time to engage in winter sports and to feel the flavor of traditional life of Mongols in the snow.

Special Events and Festivals

The best time to visit would be in the Naadam Festival (July 1113) which gives visitors an insight into the sports culture of Mongolia. Another colorful festival is the Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year) which is accompanied by family reunions, folk feasts, and rituals.

Conclusion: Prospects of the Future of Mongolia

Mongolia is a land of unusual contrast; its history is immeasurably ancient; chaotic and still being constituted in the contemporary time and in progression. It is an exotic destination because the country is rich in scenery, landscapes, history, and hospitable individuals. Despite hard times including environmental sustainability and economic diversification, Mongolia will have a bright future standing on the willingness to maintain the cultural heritage and natural beauty of the country.

Most common questions

When should one visit Mongolia?

During the summer (June to August) is the best time to visit Mongolia as the weather is warm and cultural festivals such as Naadam are held at the time as well.

Which are the main attractions in Mongolia?

Today the main attractions are Ulaanbaatar and the Gobi Desert as well as Lake Khovsgol and the Flaming Cliffs.

What is the language in Mongolia?

The national language is Mongolian. In urban areas, some speak branches of Russian language and English, particularly young generations.

What currency is in Mongolia?

The currency in use is Mongolian tögrög (MNT).

Is Mongolia tourist friendly?

Yes, Mongolia is rather safe as far as a tourist is concerned but a traveler must take care about normal precautions, particularly when in the place of remotes.

Which is the main religion in Mongolia?

Most of the Mongolians are Tibetan Buddhists, though a large share of the population follows the traditions of shamanism.