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| Mongolia History |
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| Mongolia When to go |
| Mongolia Culture |
| Mongolia Food |
| Mongolia Information |
| Mongolia Nightlife |
| Mongolia Visa and Passport |
| Mongolia Good to know |
Population: 3,041,142 Dialing Code: +976 Languages: Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian (1999) Religions: Buddhist Lamaist 50%, Shamanist and Christian 6%, Muslim 4%, none 40% (2004) Internet TLD: .mn Located: Northern Asia, between China and Russia Area: 1,564,116 sq km Literacy: 97.8% Comparative Size: slightly smaller than Alaska Nationality Noun: Mongolian(s) Nationality Adjective: Mongolian |
The name Mongolia evokes memories of Genghis Khan, the legendary conqueror who formed one of the largest empires the world has ever seen. Wild empty nature (vast steppes, lakes, and the Gobi Desert) also comes to mind. Though the country doesn't immediately propose a holiday getaway, few have tried to reveal Mongolia to the world during the past decade.
Ever since the collapse of Communism, Mongolians have increasingly embraced the modern age. In fact, it is not uncommon to see internet cafes, tribe member with cell phones, Western restaurants, highways brimming with vehicles, and locals with international PhDs there. Still, Mongolia remains is one of Asia's poorest, though the economy's shift from agriculture to tourism is hoped to change the status quo.
Nomads and Reindeer People
As the country takes major steps towards Westernization, its old traditions and culture have remained constant. The nomadic life, for instance, has been hard for the Mongolians to abandon. This lifestyle has characterized the land since the prehistoric times, and today some 30 percent of Mongolia's population still resists change. No other tribe in the nation embodies this more than the Tsaatan, regarded as the country's last surviving reindeer herders. In this regard, the country is torn between the call of tradition and the seduction of modernity.
Mongolian Adventure
Mongolia's vast wilderness, snowcapped mountains, gorges, and relatively unspoiled nature have been the calling cards of Mongolian tourism. Adventurers are the country's primary draw, with plenty of opportunities for treks, hikes, camping, and ecotourism.
Itinerary usually consists of the sparkling waters of Khovsgol Nuur, the steppes of the Terelj National Park, and the wildlife of the Tavan Bogd National Park. Horse rides, fishing trips, birdwatching, and skiing adventures are also at a premium for visitors to the country.