Introduction to Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Ulaanbaatar, the capital and largest city, is home to about 45% of the population.
Mongolia’s political history involved periods of foreign occupation, most notably by the Qing dynasty (+ 976 7012 0011) and the Soviet Union. Since ancient times, Mongolia has been inhabited by nomads who, from time to time, formed great confederations that rose to power and prominence.
During the collapse of the Mongol Empire in 1260–1294 AD, medieval Mongolia was divided into four parts: Inner Mongolia which was ruled by those loyal to Kublai Khan;
Outer Mongolia which came under Chinese influence but continued as an independent khanate; Qocho or Kukhto which was under Tibetan influence; and lastly Khorasan which covered present-day western Mongolia but became subject to Timurid Central Asia.
History of Mongolia
The history of Mongolia is a long and complicated one, full of invasions, foreign occupation, and political struggle.
The Mongolian people have always been a nomadic people, moving from place to place in search of new pastureland for their herds. This way of life has shaped the Mongolian character in many ways – they are a hardy people, used to harsh conditions and capable of great endurance.
The first recorded history of the Mongolian people dates back to the 3rd century BC, when they were mentioned in Chinese texts as a group of warlike nomads living on the steppes north of China.
Over the next few centuries, the Mongols slowly began to coalesce into a single people, united under their powerful leader Genghis Khan. In 1206, Genghis Khan proclaimed himself Great Khan of all Mongols, and set out to conquer the world. Under his leadership, the Mongols built an empire that stretched from China to Europe.
After the death of Genghis Khan in 1227, his empire was divided among his sons and grandsons. Over the next few centuries, Mongolia passed through periods of rule by China and Russia.
In 1911, Mongolia declared its independence from China, but it wasn’t until 1921 that it became truly independent when Russia withdrew its troops.
In 1924, Mongolia adopted socialism as its official ideology, and remained closely aligned with the Soviet Union throughout the Cold War years. Since 1990, Mongolia has been undergoing
Geography of Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country located in East Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Mongolia has a total area of 1,564,116 square kilometers (606,537 square miles), making it the 19th largest country in the world. The country’s landscape is diverse, with grassy steppes, mountains, forests and desert.
Mongolia is divided into three main geographic regions: the Mongolian Plateau in the north, the Gobi Desert in the south and east, and the Altai Mountains in the west.
The Mongolian Plateau is a large elevated region that covers about two-thirds of Mongolia. It consists of steppes (grassy plains) and semi-deserts. The plateau is home to most of Mongolia’s population.
The Gobi Desert is a vast expanse of arid land covering much of southern Mongolia. It is home to some hardy plants and animals that have adapted to its harsh conditions. Temperatures in the Gobi can range from very hot in summer to extremely cold in winter.
The Altai Mountains are a mountain range that forms Mongolia’s western border with Russia and China. They are some of the highest mountains in Mongolia, with several peaks reaching over 4,000 meters (13,000 feet). The Altai Mountains are home to many glaciers, as well as forests and meadows full of wildlife
Climate of Mongolia
Mongolia has a continental climate with long, cold winters and short, hot summers. The country experiences an average of 300 days of sunshine per year.
The Gobi Desert is one of the driest and coldest deserts in the world. It experiences very little rainfall and temperatures can range from -40°C in winter to 40°C in summer.
The Mongolian steppe is characterized by its dry grasslands. Summers are hot and winters are cold, with little precipitation throughout the year.
The Altai Mountains experience a temperate climate with cool summers and cold winters. Precipitation is heaviest in the form of snowfall, which can reach up to 1 meter in depth.
Culture of Mongolia
Mongolia is a land of nomadic people and has a very rich culture. There are many interesting things to see and do in Mongolia, from visiting the capital city of Ulaanbaatar to seeing the majestic landscapes and wildlife.
The Mongolian people are very proud of their culture and heritage. They have a strong tradition of music, dance and art. The most popular form of music is throat singing, which is unique to Mongolia. It is said that throat singing originated with the Mongolian horsemen, who would sing as they rode across the steppe.
There are many beautiful places to see in Mongolia, from the Gobi Desert to the Altai Mountains. One of the most popular tourist attractions is Khustain National Park, where you can see the rare Takhi horses in their natural habitat.
If you are interested in learning more about the culture of Mongolia, there are many excellent resources available online and in libraries.
People of Mongolia
The people of Mongolia are some of the most hospitable in the world. They are also incredibly tough, having to endure some of the harshest conditions on the planet.
The vast majority of people in Mongolia are ethnic Mongols, which is a testament to the country’s history as an empire. However, there are also sizable minorities of Turkic and Russian descent. The Mongolian language is spoken by about half of the population, while Russian is used by many urbanites.
Religion plays an important role in Mongolian society, with Buddhism being the largest faith. Islam and Christianity are also present, though they don’t have as much of a following.
Mongolians are proud of their culture and heritage. They love music and dance, and their food is hearty and filling. Travelers will find that the people of Mongolia are some of the most friendly they’ll ever meet!
Religion in Mongolia
Mongolians are mostly Buddhist and Shamanist, with a small Muslim minority. Buddhism was introduced to Mongolia from Tibet in the 16th century, and Shamanism is the ancient religion of the Mongols. Islam came to Mongolia in the 18th century, when the Muslim Kalmyks settled in the country.
Today, about four out of five Mongolians are Buddhist. The main Buddhist sect in Mongolia is Tibetan Buddhism, which is practiced in the Gelugpa tradition. There are also a significant number of followers of Khalkha Buddhism,
the state religion during socialist times. Shamanism is still practiced by some Mongolians, particularly in rural areas. Islam is practiced by a small minority of Mongolians, most of whom are ethnic Kazakhs or Tuvans.
Language of Mongolia
Mongolian is the official language of Mongolia, spoken by about 4.6 million people in the country. It is a member of the Mongolic language family, and its closest relatives are Khalkha Mongolian and Buryat.
Mongolian has a rich oral tradition, and much of the Mongolian literature is in verse form. The earliest known examples of Mongolian literature date back to the 13th century.
Mongolian is written in Cyrillic script, which was introduced during the Soviet period. However, some Mongols prefer to use the traditional Mongolian script, which was used before the advent of Cyrillic.
Cuisine of Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East Asia. Its cuisine is influenced by the Mongol nomadic lifestyle. Dairy products, meat, and animal fats are staples in the Mongolian diet.
The most popular dish is buuz, steamed dumplings filled with meat and vegetables. Other popular dishes include khuushuur (fried dough pockets filled with meat), tarag (yogurt), and airag (fermented mare’s milk).
Mongolians typically eat with their hands, using a piece of flatbread as a utensil. It is considered impolite to leave food on your plate, and it is considered good manners to burp after a meal.
Dress of Mongolia
The dress of Mongolia is varied and colorful. The most common type of dress is the deel, which is a long tunic with wide sleeves. Deels are made from a variety of materials, including wool, cotton, and silk. Women often wear them with a sash around the waist.
Mongolian men typically wear Western-style clothing, such as pants and shirts. However, they may also don deels on special occasions.
Both men and women commonly wear felt boots in the winter months. These are called valenki in Russian. In the summer months, people often wear sandals made from leather or cloth.
Music of Mongolia
Mongolia has a rich and vibrant musical culture that dates back centuries. Traditional Mongolian music is largely based on the use of traditional instruments, such as the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle), tovshuur (bow-string instrument), yataghan (two-stringed lute), and shudraga (four-stringed zither).
Mongolian music has been influenced by the music of other cultures in the region, including China and Russia. In more recent years, Western pop and rock music has also become popular among Mongolians.
If you’re interested in experiencing Mongolia’s musical culture for yourself, there are plenty of opportunities to do so. There are many traditional music festivals held throughout the year, and you can also find performances at many of the country’s museums and cultural centres.
Arts of Mongolia
The arts of Mongolia are some of the most unique and beautiful in the world. From traditional Mongolian music and dance to modern art, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Traditional Mongolian music is based on the pentatonic scale and features a variety of instruments, including the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle), shudraga (two-stringed lute), and tobshuur (three-stringed lute). Mongolian folk music often tells stories of the country’s nomadic history and the people who live there.
Mongolian dance is also very unique, with a wide variety of movements and styles. Traditional dances often tell stories or depict scenes from daily life, such as herding animals or preparing for a hunt. Modern Mongolian dancers often incorporate elements of both traditional and contemporary dance into their routines.
The arts of Mongolia are truly one-of-a-kind and not to be missed. Whether you’re interested in traditional music and dance or modern art, there’s something for you to enjoy during your travels to this fascinating country.
Sports in Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East Asia, bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south. Although the country is sparsely populated, there are a number of sports that are popular in Mongolia.
The most popular sport in Mongolia is horse racing. Mongolian horsemen have been racing horses for centuries, and the sport has become increasingly popular in recent years. There are a number of horse racing tracks around the country, and races are held throughout the year.
Another popular sport in Mongolia is wrestling. Mongolian wrestlers are some of the best in the world, and wrestling matches are often held as part of festivals and other celebrations. Wrestling is also a popular spectator sport, and there are a number of wrestling competitions held annually.
Archery is another traditional Mongolian sport that remains popular today. Archery competitions are held regularly, and many people learn to shoot bows and arrows from a young age.
Finally, one of the most unique sports in Mongolia is camel racing. Camel racing is held annually in the Gobi Desert, and attracts competitors from all over the world. The race is traditionally held on camelback, but there is also a motorized version that has become increasingly popular in recent years.
Recreation in Mongolia
Mongolia is a country full of natural beauty and there are plenty of opportunities for recreation and outdoor activities. hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking are all popular activities in Mongolia. There are also many lakes and rivers where you can go fishing or swimming.
If you’re looking for a more urban experience, the capital city of Ulaanbaatar has plenty to offer in terms of nightlife, restaurants, and shops. There are also several museums and historical sites worth visiting.
Tourism in Mongo
Mongolia is a landlocked country located in East Asia. It borders Russia to the north and China to the south. Mongolia is known for its nomadic culture and stunning landscapes.
Mongolia has a lot to offer tourists. The capital city, Ulaanbaatar, is home to a number of museums and historical sites. Outside of the city, visitors can explore the Mongolian steppe, go hiking or camping in the mountains, or visit one of the many national parks.
Mongolia is a great destination for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike. With so much to see and do, it’s no wonder that tourism is on the rise in Mongolia.
If you are planning to travelling to Mongolia, must travel in winter, it’s the best time.
