Basic facts about Mongolia
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Basic Facts
Official name
Mongolia / Mongol Uls (Монгол Улс)
Flag
The flag of Mongolia features the "soyombo", Mongolia's national symbol
Area
1 564 000 km2
Capital
Ulaanbaatar (Population estimated at approximately 1-million, including large numbers of unregistered migrants from the countryside)
Mongolian People
Population
2.6 million, with a density of 1.5 per square kilometre. Approximately half the population lives in urban areas.
Ethnicity
90% Xalx Mongol
Religion
Primarily Buddhist (Buddhism is practised by 94% of the population and is granted special status in Mongolian law as the "traditional religion" of Mongolia[1]) with shamanist/animist practices remaining prevalent amongst much of the population. Islam is practised by the Kazakhs of Western Mongolia.
Geography
Climate
Continental, with hot summers (average temperature +20°C) and cold winters (average temperature -24°C).
| Month | Average temperature (°C) | Average precipitation (mm) |
| January | -26.1 | 1.5 |
| February | -21.7 | 1.9 |
| March | -10.8 | 2.2 |
| April | 0.5 | 7.2 |
| May | 8.3 | 15.3 |
| June | 14.9 | 48.8 |
| July | 17.0 | 72.6 |
| August | 15.0 | 47.8 |
| September | 7.6 | 24.4 |
| October | -1.7 | 6.0 |
| November | -13.7 | 3.7 |
| December | -24 | 1.6 |
Ecological Zones and Terrain
Steppe and semi-forested steppe in the central and eastern regions; desert and arid plains (Gobi) in the south; taiga in the north, along the border with Russia. Mountains cover 40% of the territory; the average altitude is 1580 metres, and the highest peak in the Altai Mountains reaches 4374 metres.
Politics and Economy
Political System
Unicameral legislative assembly elected by direct universal suffrage; an elected President assumes mainly ceremonial duties but has specific veto rights with respect to the formation of the government (cabinet) and ratification of the state budget. Local governance is assured, within a policy and budgetary framework set by the central government, by Governors appointed by the elected Citizens' Representative Councils in each province or municipality, district and sub-district.
Administrative Divisions
21 aimags (provinces) including the capital city of Ulaanbaatar and the municipalities of Darxan, Erdenet and Choir; aimags are subdivided into sums and bags, municipalities into düüregs and xoroos.
Economy
Traditionally based on nomadic animal husbandry (sheep, goats, horses, cattle and camels). Along with exports of cashmere wool, coal, copper and gold mining earn the majority of Mongolia's foreign currency earnings.
GDP
1.9 billion current $US
Travel Information
Time
7 hours ahead of UTC. Daylight savings time is observed in summer.
Currency
Tögrög (MNT). 1 USD = 1240 MNT (January 2007).
Electric Current
The standard voltage is 220 V/50 Hz. Sockets require a two-pin type plug or an adapter.
Health
There are no specific health requirements.
Notes
- ↑ Article 4.1 of the Law on Relations between the State and Temples and Monasteries (1993) states that "The State shall respect the dominant position of Buddhism in Mongolia, in the interest of honouring harmonious relations amongst the Mongolian people and the historical traditions of their civilization".
 | In commemoration of the legacy and teachings of His Holiness Dulduit Danzanravzhaa Fifth Wrathful Noble Xutagt of the Great Gobi (1803-1856) I did not overbearingly sophize Nor preach with pride and arrogance But having found a sense in this world Spoke the truth of my dear heart. |   |