The country is located in the heart of Asia. These are territories of spacious steppes, sand dunes, vast mountains, endless blue sky and hot sun. Magnificent Mongolia owns fabulous natural resources.
Answers to many questions regarding this beautiful country can be found in this article. In it we will talk about the state system (Mongolia - a republic or a monarchy); geographic location, population, and more.
The centuries-old history of Mongolia can tell a lot of interesting things. The features of ancient traditions and customs are quite curious and varied.
general information
Mongolia has a total of 250 sunny days per year.
This mysterious country, often called the "Land of the Blue Sky", is the birthplace of the great conqueror Genghis Khan. Rocky mountains, blue lakes, boundless steppes and golden sands of the Gobi desert - all these are beautiful Mongolian natural landscapes. There are many Buddhist temples here, surprisingly hospitable locals with their unique and distinctive culture.
Government structure
Is Mongolia a republic or a state?
The highest legislative authority in Mongolia is the Great Khural (parliament). In a unicameral parliament, there are 76 members (under the Constitution) with powers for a four-year term. A parliament is elected by popular vote , the main form of activity of which is sessions sitting only in the presence of 2/3 or more of all its members.
The parliament has the power to form the highest executive in Mongolia (a government led by the prime minister). The head of state is the president, who can be elected from citizens of Mongolia who have reached the age of 45 years for a period of 4 years (the condition is permanent residence in the homeland for the last 5 years).
According to the Constitution, in force since 1992, Mongolia is a parliamentary republic. The main parties are political: the People's Revolutionary Party, the Democratic Party, the Democratic Religious Party and the Green Party.
Until 1992, the country was called the Mongolian People's Republic.
In 1991, the Democratic Party took power during the peaceful revolution. Since 2009, many reforms have been carried out in the country.
Geographical position
This country occupies part of Central Asia.
Mongolia is a landlocked republic. It has borders with Russia in the north, south, west and east - with China. The entire length of the borders of Mongolia is 8162 kilometers (including 3485 km with Russia).
The area of the state is 1,566 thousand square kilometers.
Geographically, the Republic of Mongolia is divided into 21 regions (aimak), consisting of smaller administrative units - somons. In turn, each somon (total 342) is divided into bugs (teams). There are 1539 of them.
The 3 Mongolian cities of Erdenet, Darkhan and Choir are autonomous units by status.
The Gobi Desert extends to the south of Mongolia and borders on China. The Altai Mongolian mountain system stretches from the west of the state to the southwest. The highest peak is Kuyten Uul peak (4,374 meters).
Several large rivers flow through the territory of Mongolia: Onon, Selenga, Tesiyin-Gol, Kerulen, Khalkhin-Gol, etc.
Capital
A wonderful ancient city, full of historical monuments, has Mongolia (republic). The capital Ulaanbaatar (in the local spelling Ulaanbaatar) accommodates more than 1 million 300 thousand inhabitants. It should be noted that several times the capital of this republic was renamed and moved.
Ulaanbaatar was formed in the XVII century (1639). Previously, there were capitals: Urgoo (1639-1706), Their Khuree (1706-1911), Niisel Khuree (from 1911 to 1923) and Ulan Bator (from 1924).
There used to be a Buddhist monastery on the site of this city.
Population, languages
Mongols make up 85% of the total population of the country, 7% are Kazakhs, more than 4.5% are Durwoods and more than 3% are representatives of different ethnic groups. Moreover, more than 4 million people of Mongolian nationality live outside Mongolia.
The total population at the beginning of 2009 was approximately 2 million 700 thousand people.
The official language is Mongolian (Ural-Altai family).
Bit of history
Mongolia is a republic where the customs and traditions of the population go back to the most ancient peoples, who once inhabited the territory of Central Asia.
Many customs are echoes of ancient Buddhist and shamanistic rites, in which the religious purpose and content was lost over time. However, some ritual actions are still observed by local residents.
There are many beliefs and prohibitions that have common Central Asian roots. Therefore, they are the same for both Buryans and Mongols.
In addition, it should be noted that many Mongols still keep and sacredly honor the ancient customs of nomadic life, and now they live in felt yurts and exist due to the maintenance of ancestral subsistence farming.
In general, people in the territories of Mongolia appeared a long time ago, many thousands of years ago. Since ancient prehistoric times, it has been inhabited by nomads, periodically forming various state confederations. The Chinese built the famous Great Wall precisely because of those very ancient Mongols.
How did it all start?
The Mongol leader named Temujin in 1206 acquired the title of Genghis Khan and conquered a number of countries and peoples. So the Mongol Empire appeared . After the death of Genghis Khan, it was divided into four khanates. In those days, the empire was located in the territories from Korea to Poland, and from Vietnam in the south to Siberia in the north.
Since the 16th century, Buddhism began to spread in Mongolia after frequent internecine wars for power and the invasion of Chinese troops.
Mongolia was controlled by the Chinese Qing Dynasty until 1911.
So, is Mongolia a republic or not?
MPR, moreover friendly USSR, was formed in 1924.
And since 1992, officially the Mongolian People's Republic began to be called Mongolia.
Religion
Mongolia is a republic dominated by Mahayana Buddhism (94%), shamanism in its northern part and Islam (4%) in the western. Only in the twentieth century, the country had many Buddhist monasteries - several hundred, and about 30% of the male population were monks.
Since the thirties of the same century, an anti-religious campaign has been launched in Mongolia, which has practically destroyed the vast system of monasteries. Many were closed, and some were plundered and destroyed. However, after certain democratic transformations (90s), religious freedom was declared. The monasteries began their activity again. In Ulan Bator today there is even an Orthodox church. The republic of Mongolia is peculiar in terms of religion.
sights
In the great ancient Mongolia, a great many unique archaeological and historical-architectural monuments have been preserved. Near the river Chultyn-Gol is the oldest Neolithic drawings, which are under the protection of UNESCO.
Also in the Top 10 best Mongolian attractions you can include the following:
- the famous Peace Bell, located in Ulan Bator;
- The Great Mausoleum of Suhebaatar (also in the capital);
- Khan's palace with magnificent sculptures of Tara (goddess) in the capital of Mongolia ;
- Gandan Monastery.
Culture
Mongolia is a republic whose traditions and culture are rich and diverse. For many centuries, nomads roamed the deserts and steppes of Central Asia and kept certain customs unchanged. Every July in Mongolia, Naddam is celebrated with traditional Mongolian competitions in horse racing, archery and wrestling; the end of winter time and the coming of the New Year are celebrated - also with competitions.
Various festivals are held in Mongolia: Hunting Eagles; Yak and camel.
In conclusion about the economy
Mongolia is developing dynamically in economic terms and is one of the most promising sales markets in Northeast Asia, and in almost the entire Asia-Pacific region.