- Mongolia is known for its vast and varied landscapes, ranging from the arid Gobi Desert to the forested mountains and lakes of the west and north.
- Mongolia is also home to a rich and ancient culture, influenced by Buddhism, nomadism, and the legacy of the Mongol Empire.
3 - Mongolia’s capital and largest city is Ulaanbaatar, which means “Red Hero” in Mongolian.
- The city was founded in 1639 as a nomadic Buddhist monastic center, and became the permanent capital in 1778.
- Ulaanbaatar is a modern and cosmopolitan city, with skyscrapers, shopping malls, museums, and cultural venues.
- It is also the political, economic, and cultural center of Mongolia, hosting the government, parliament, and many national institutions.
4 - One of the main attractions in Ulaanbaatar is the Gandantegchenling Monastery, which is the largest and most important Buddhist temple in Mongolia.
- The monastery was built in the 19th century and houses a 26-meter-high statue of Migjid Janraisig, a bodhisattva of compassion.
- The monastery is also a place of pilgrimage and worship for many Mongolians, especially during religious festivals.
5 - Another attraction in Ulaanbaatar is the National Museum of Mongolia, which showcases the history and culture of Mongolia from prehistoric times to the present day.
- The museum has more than 50,000 exhibits, including artifacts, costumes, weapons, paintings, and sculptures.
- Some of the highlights include a replica of a Mongol ger (traditional tent), a collection of ancient coins and seals, and a display of the Mongolian script.
6 - Mongolia’s history is one of the most fascinating and influential in the world.
- The country was once the center of the Mongol Empire, which was founded by Genghis Khan in the 13th century and stretched from China to Europe.
- The Mongol Empire was one of the largest and most powerful empires in history, known for its military prowess, cultural diversity, and religious tolerance.
- The empire collapsed in the 14th century, but its legacy can still be seen in many aspects of Mongolian culture and identity.
- Mongolia became a part of the Qing Dynasty of China in the 17th century, until it declared its independence in 1911 following the Xinhai Revolution.
- However, Mongolia had to struggle for its sovereignty until 1921, when it was supported by the Soviet Union against Chinese occupation.
- In 1924, Mongolia became a socialist republic under Soviet influence.
- In 1990, Mongolia transitioned to democracy and a market economy after peaceful protests against communism.
7 - Mongolia’s flag reflects its history and culture.
- The flag consists of three vertical stripes: red on each side and blue in the middle.
- The red color represents prosperity and progress, while the blue represents the eternal blue sky.
- On the left stripe, there is a Soyombo symbol, which is a geometric abstraction that represents fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and yin-yang.
- The Soyombo symbol is also the national emblem of Mongolia.
Mongolia Flag Cities Currency Population Tourism Landmarks History
8 - Mongolia belongs to the continent of Asia, but it has a unique geographical position that makes it both connected and isolated from its neighbors.
- Mongolia has no access to any ocean or sea, which limits its trade and transportation options.
- Mongolia also has a harsh climate that varies from extreme cold in winter to extreme heat in summer.
- However, Mongolia also has abundant natural resources that make it attractive for foreign investors and tourists.
- Mongolia has coal, copper, gold, uranium, oil, and other minerals that contribute to its economy.
- Mongolia also has diverse wildlife and ecosystems that attract nature lovers and adventurers.
9 - Mongolia’s currency is the tugrik (MNT), which means “silver” or “money” in Mongolian.
- The tugrik was introduced in 1925 as a replacement for the Chinese yuan.
- The tugrik is divided into 100 möngö (cents).
- The banknotes are in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1, 000, 5, 000, 10, 000, and 20, 000 tugriks.
- The coins are in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 möngö.
- The tugrik is pegged to a basket of currencies, mainly the US dollar (USD) and the Chinese yuan (CNY).
- The exchange rate of 17 October 2023 was about 3, 454 tugriks per US dollar.
10 - Mongolia’s country code is +976, which means that you need to dial this number before the local phone number when you call Mongolia from another country.
- For example, if you want to call a landline in Ulaanbaatar, you need to dial +976 11 ??? ???, where ??? ??? is the seven-digit local number.
- If you want to call a mobile phone in Mongolia, you need to dial +976 X??? ???, where X is 6, 8, or 9, and ??? ??? is the seven-digit local number.
11 - Mongolia’s country name is pronounced as /mɒŋˈgəʊ.li.ə/ in British English and /mɑːŋˈgoʊ.li.ə/ in American English.
- The stress is on the second syllable, and the “g” sound is hard, not soft.
- The name Mongolia comes from the word Mongol, which means “brave” or “eternal” in Mongolian.
- The Mongols are the ethnic group that make up most of the population of Mongolia.
12 - Mongolia’s country abbreviation is MN or MNG, according to the ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 and alpha-3 codes respectively.
- These codes are used for international identification and communication purposes.
- For example, MN is used as the top-level domain for websites registered in Mongolia, such as www.gov.mn.
- MNG is used as the country code for vehicles, sports teams, and organizations from Mongolia, such as MNG Airlines.
13 - Mongolia’s culture is a blend of traditional and modern elements, influenced by its nomadic heritage, Buddhist religion, and global connections.
- Mongolia has a rich and diverse cultural heritage that includes music, art, literature, cuisine, sports, and festivals.
- Some of the most distinctive aspects of Mongolian culture are:
- The ger (or yurt), which is a round tent made of felt and wood that can be easily assembled and disassembled.
- The ger is the traditional dwelling of the nomads who move with their livestock across the steppes.
- The ger is also a symbol of family and hospitality in Mongolian culture.
- The morin khuur (or horse-head fiddle), which is a two-stringed bowed instrument that produces a distinctive sound resembling a horse neighing.
- The morin khuur is considered a national treasure and a sacred instrument in Mongolian culture.
- It is often used to accompany folk songs and dances.
- The throat singing (or khöömei), which is a vocal technique that produces two or more pitches simultaneously by manipulating the vocal cords and mouth cavity.
- Throat singing is a unique and ancient form of musical expression in Mongolian culture.
- It is often used to imitate the sounds of nature and animals.
- The naadam (or “three games of men”), which is a traditional festival and competition that showcases the skills of wrestling, archery, and horse racing.
- Naadam is held annually in July to celebrate the anniversary of the Mongolian Revolution of 1921.
- It is also a time for socializing, feasting, and honoring the national heroes and ancestors.
- The buuz (or steamed dumplings), which are one of the most popular dishes in Mongolian cuisine.
- Buuz are made of minced meat (usually mutton or beef) mixed with onion and spices, wrapped in thin dough, and steamed in a large pot.
- Buuz are usually eaten with various sauces and salads.
14 - Mongolia’s best places to visit are:
15 - The Gobi Desert, which is one of the largest and most diverse deserts in the world.
- The Gobi Desert covers about one-third of Mongolia’s territory and offers stunning scenery of sand dunes, rocky mountains, canyons, salt lakes, and oases.
- The Gobi Desert is also home to many rare animals and plants, such as the Bactrian camel, the snow leopard, the Gobi bear, and the saxaul tree.
16 - The Lake Khövsgöl (or Khuvsgul), which is the largest and deepest freshwater lake in Mongolia and one of the oldest lakes in the world.
- Lake Khövsgöl is located in the northern part of Mongolia near the border with Russia.
- It is surrounded by majestic mountains covered with forests and meadows.
- Lake Khövsgöl is also a sacred place for many Mongolians who believe that it has healing powers.
17 - The Karakorum (or Kharkhorin), which was once the capital of the Mongol Empire and a major trading hub along the Silk Road.
- Karakorum was founded by Genghis Khan
Mongolia Flag Cities Currency Population Tourism Landmarks History
35 - Mongolia is a landlocked country in Asia, which means that it does not have any coastline or access to the sea.
- However, Mongolia has many lakes and rivers that offer beautiful and relaxing beaches for visitors and locals alike.
- Some of the most popular beaches in Mongolia are:
36 - Khövsgöl Lake: This is the largest and deepest freshwater lake in Mongolia and one of the oldest lakes in the world.
- Khövsgöl Lake is located in the northern part of Mongolia near the border with Russia.
- It is surrounded by majestic mountains covered with forests and meadows.
- Khövsgöl Lake is also a sacred place for many Mongolians who believe that it has healing powers.
- The lake has several beaches that are ideal for swimming, boating, fishing, and camping.
37 - One of the best beaches is Khatgal, which is a small town on the southern shore of the lake.
- Khatgal has a sandy beach, a pier, and a market where you can buy local products and souvenirs.
38 - Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake: This is a volcanic lake in the central part of Mongolia, formed by the eruption of a volcano about 8,000 years ago.
- Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake is also known as the White Lake because of its clear and turquoise water.
- The lake is surrounded by rocky hills and grasslands, where you can see many wild animals and birds.
- The lake has several beaches that are perfect for sunbathing, picnicking, and kayaking.
39 - One of the best beaches is Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur Camp, which is a resort on the western shore of the lake.
- The resort has a sandy beach, a restaurant, and a sauna.
- Ulaanbaatar has several beaches that are convenient for city dwellers and tourists who want to enjoy some water activities and relaxation.
40 - One of the best beaches is Tuul River Beach, which is a riverbank beach on the outskirts of the city.
- The beach has a grassy area, a playground, and a volleyball court.
41 - Mongolia is a country with a very diverse and extreme climate, due to its high elevation, landlocked location, and continental position.
- Mongolia has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
- Spring (mid-March to early May) is a windy and dusty season, with frequent sandstorms in the south and central regions.
- The temperature gradually rises from the winter lows, but it can still be very cold at night.
- The average temperature in Ulaanbaatar in April is 8°C (46°F), with a low of -6°C (21°F).
- Summer (late May to early September) is the warmest and wettest season, with most of the annual precipitation falling in July and August.
- The temperature can reach up to 40°C (104°F) in the south, especially in the Gobi Desert, but it is cooler in the north and at higher altitudes.
- The average temperature in Ulaanbaatar in July is 17°C (62°F), with a high of 22°C (72°F).
42 - Summer is also the time for the Naadam Festival, which showcases the traditional sports of wrestling, archery, and horse racing.
- Autumn (mid-September to late October) is a short and pleasant season, with clear skies and colorful foliage.
- The temperature drops rapidly from the summer highs, but it is still mild during the day.
- The average temperature in Ulaanbaatar in October is 2°C (36°F), with a high of 9°C (48°F).
- Winter (early November to mid-March) is the longest and coldest season, with freezing temperatures and snowfall.
- The temperature can drop below -40°C (-40°F) in some areas of the north, especially in the valleys between the mountains.
- The average temperature in Ulaanbaatar in January is -21°C (-6°F), with a low of -26°C (-15°F).
43 - Winter is also the time for the Lunar New Year, which is celebrated with family gatherings and traditional rituals.
- Mongolia has an average of 257 sunny days per year, which makes it one of the sunniest countries in the world.
- However, it also has a high variability of weather conditions, which means that it can experience sudden changes in temperature and precipitation from year to year.
Therefore, if you plan to visit Mongolia, you should be prepared for any weather situation.
Mongolia Flag Cities Currency Population Tourism Landmarks History
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