Key facts about one of the world's most sparsely populated countries
Land Area
19th largest country in the world
Population
World's most sparsely populated country
Capital City
Home to nearly half the population
Official Language
Using traditional Cyrillic script
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East Asia, situated between Russia to the north and China to the south. The landscape is diverse and includes vast steppes, mountains, and the famous Gobi Desert.
With an average elevation of 1,580 meters, Mongolia has a predominantly continental climate with long, harsh winters and short summers. The country is known for its extreme temperatures, which can range from -40°C in winter to +40°C in summer.
One of the world's largest deserts, covering southern Mongolia
Central mountain range with forested slopes and alpine meadows
World's largest intact temperate grassland ecosystem
Western mountain range with stunning glaciers and peaks
From the rise of Genghis Khan to modern democracy, Mongolia's history spans centuries of nomadic traditions and empire building
The land that is now Mongolia has been inhabited by various nomadic tribes since prehistoric times. The Xiongnu, a confederation of nomadic peoples, formed the first recorded state in the region around the 3rd century BCE.
In 1206, Genghis Khan (Chinggis Khaan) united the nomadic tribes and established the Mongol Empire, which became the largest contiguous land empire in history, extending from Korea to Eastern Europe.
From the late 17th century until 1911, Mongolia was ruled by the Qing Dynasty of China. This period saw the spread of Tibetan Buddhism throughout Mongolia, which greatly influenced Mongolian culture and tradition.
Following the fall of communism in 1990, Mongolia transitioned to a democratic government with a market economy. Today, Mongolia balances rapid urbanization with preserving its traditional nomadic culture and heritage.
Despite increasing urbanization, almost 30% of Mongolians still practice a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle. These families move their gers (traditional felt tents) and livestock seasonally in search of better pastures.
The nomadic way of life has shaped Mongolian culture for thousands of years, influencing everything from music and art to cuisine and social customs.
The Naadam Festival, celebrated every July, showcases the "three manly games" of wrestling, horse racing, and archery. This festival dates back to the times of Genghis Khan and remains a vital cultural celebration.
Other important celebrations include Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year), when families gather to honor their elders and celebrate the coming spring.
Mongolian cuisine is centered around meat, dairy products, and animal fats – essentials for surviving harsh winters. Traditional dishes include buuz (steamed dumplings), khorkhog (meat cooked with hot stones), and airag (fermented mare's milk).
The cuisine reflects the nomadic lifestyle, with many preserved foods that can last through long winters without refrigeration.
Mongolia is known for unique musical traditions, including throat singing (khöömei) and the horsehead fiddle (morin khuur). These art forms often imitate natural sounds of the steppe, mountains, and animals.
Traditional crafts include felt-making, leather work, and intricate embroidery, all of which feature symbolic patterns and designs with deep cultural meaning.
Mongolia's diverse landscapes support a remarkable variety of wildlife, many of which are rare or endangered
The vast grasslands of Mongolia are home to gazelles, marmots, and numerous bird species. These undisturbed plains represent some of the world's last remaining pristine grassland ecosystems.
Despite its harsh conditions, the Gobi Desert supports wild Bactrian camels, snow leopards, and Gobi bears. It's also famous for dinosaur fossils, with some of the world's most important paleontological discoveries.
Mongolia's mountainous regions harbor argali sheep, Siberian ibex, and various predators including wolves and eagles. The northern forests are part of the great Siberian taiga ecosystem.
Mongolia has designated nearly 20% of its territory as protected areas, preserving these unique ecosystems for future generations
Protecting desert ecosystems
Home to the wild Przewalski's horse
Preserving Mongolia's largest freshwater lake
Protecting the world's largest intact grassland
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