Mongolia is a landlocked country in East Asia, bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south. It is one of the largest and most sparsely populated countries in the world, with a total area of 1.6 million square kilometers (0.6 million square miles) and a population of only 3.3 million people. Mongolia is known for its vast and diverse landscapes, its rich and ancient culture, and its nomadic and resilient people.
The Geography of Mongolia
Mongolia’s terrain is mostly composed of plateaus, steppes, mountains, and deserts. The highest point is Khüiten Peak, which reaches 4,374 meters (14,350 feet) above sea level in the Mongolian Altai Mountains in the west. The lowest point is Hoh Nuur Lake, which lies 518 meters (1,699 feet) above sea level in the east. The longest river is the Selenge River, which flows for 1,024 kilometers (636 miles) from the north to the south. The largest lake is Lake Khövsgöl, which covers an area of 2,760 square kilometers (1,065 square miles) in the north.
Mongolia’s climate is characterized by a continental pattern, with long and cold winters and short and warm summers. The average temperature ranges from -20°C (-4°F) in January to 17°C (63°F) in July. The annual precipitation varies from less than 100 millimeters (4 inches) in the Gobi Desert in the south to more than 400 millimeters (16 inches) in the Khangai Mountains in the center. Mongolia also experiences extreme weather events, such as blizzards, droughts, dust storms, and zud (a severe winter condition that causes mass livestock deaths).
Mongolia’s natural resources include coal, copper, gold, iron ore, oil, uranium, and water. Mongolia also has a rich biodiversity, with more than 3,000 species of plants, 138 species of mammals, 449 species of birds, 76 species of reptiles, six species of amphibians, and 75 species of fish. Some of the iconic animals of Mongolia are the snow leopard , the wild horse , the Bactrian camel , the Mongolian gazelle , and the Gobi bear .
The History of Mongolia
Mongolia has a long and complex history that spans thousands of years. It has witnessed the rise and fall of various nomadic empires , the influence and interference of foreign powers , and the struggle and transition to modernity .
Mongolia’s history can be divided into four main periods: ancient , medieval , modern , and contemporary .
Ancient period (c. 3000 BCE - c. 1200 CE): This period covers the prehistoric times and the early civilizations that inhabited Mongolia. Some of the notable events and peoples of this period are:
- The emergence of nomadic pastoralism , which was a way of life based on herding livestock and moving from place to place according to seasonal changes.
- The formation of tribal confederations , such as the Xiongnu , the Xianbei , the Rouran , and the Turkic Khaganate , which ruled over large parts of Central Asia and China.
- The development of trade and cultural exchange , such as the Silk Road , which connected Mongolia with other regions through commerce and diplomacy.
- The introduction of Buddhism , which was brought by Indian missionaries and monks who traveled along the Silk Road.
Medieval period (c. 1200 - c. 1600 CE): This period covers the golden age of Mongolian history, when it became a world power under the Mongol Empire . Some of the notable events and peoples of this period are:
- The unification of all Mongols under Genghis Khan , who was born as Temüjin in 1162 CE and became the ruler of all Mongols in 1206 CE.
- The expansion of the Mongol Empire , which reached its peak under Kublai Khan , who was Genghis Khan’s grandson and founded the Yuan Dynasty in China in 1271 CE. The Mongol Empire covered most of Asia and parts of Europe and Africa, and was the largest contiguous land empire in history.
- The decline of the Mongol Empire, which began in the late 13th century and lasted until the 16th century. The Mongol Empire was weakened by various factors, such as internal divisions, succession disputes, rebellions, wars, plagues, and natural disasters. The Mongol Empire eventually fragmented into four khanates: the Yuan Dynasty in China, the Golden Horde in Russia, the Ilkhanate in Persia, and the Chagatai Khanate in Central Asia.
- The legacy of the Mongol Empire, which was influential and lasting for many regions and peoples. The Mongol Empire facilitated trade and cultural exchange, such as the Pax Mongolica, which was a period of peace and stability that allowed the movement of goods and ideas across Eurasia. The Mongol Empire also contributed to the development of art, literature, religion, law, and administration, such as the Secret History of the Mongols, which was a chronicle of the life and deeds of Genghis Khan and his successors.Modern period (c. 1600 - c. 1900 CE): This period covers the decline and subjugation of Mongolia by foreign powers, especially China and Russia. Some of the notable events and peoples of this period are:
The rise of the Qing Dynasty , which was a Chinese dynasty that ruled over China and Mongolia from 1644 to 1912. The Qing Dynasty conquered Mongolia in the late 17th century and divided it into two parts: Inner Mongolia , which was directly administered by China , and Outer Mongolia , which was granted a degree of autonomy under a local ruler called the Bogd Khan .
The influence of Russia , which was a European power that expanded its territory and interests in Asia. Russia established diplomatic and trade relations with Mongolia in the 18th century and supported its independence from China in the 20th century. Russia also competed with China for control and influence over Mongolia.
The emergence of nationalism , which was a political and social movement that sought to preserve and promote Mongolia’s identity and sovereignty. Nationalism was inspired by various factors, such as Buddhism , which was the dominant religion in Mongolia , or Western culture , which was introduced by missionaries , travelers , or scholars .
Contemporary period (c. 1900 - present): This period covers the independence and modernization of Mongolia in the 20th and 21st centuries. Some of the notable events and peoples of this period are:
The Mongolian Revolution of 1911 , which was a political uprising that declared Mongolia’s independence from China after the fall of the Qing Dynasty. The Mongolian Revolution of 1911 established a monarchy under the Bogd Khan , who became the head of state and religious leader.
The Mongolian Revolution of 1921 , which was a military intervention by Russia that helped Mongolia to regain its independence from China after a brief occupation by Chinese warlords. The Mongolian Revolution of 1921 also established a communist regime under the Mongolian People’s Party , which became the sole ruling party until 1990.
The Mongolian Revolution of 1990 , which was a democratic transition that ended the communist rule and introduced a multiparty system and a market economy. The Mongolian Revolution of 1990 also adopted a new constitution that guaranteed human rights and freedoms.
The development and challenges of Mongolia , which are ongoing processes that affect various aspects of Mongolia’s society and culture. Some of these include:
- The economic growth and diversification , which are driven by various sectors, such as mining , agriculture , tourism , or technology .
- The social change and integration , which are influenced by various factors, such as education , health , migration , or globalization .
- The environmental protection and conservation , which are challenged by various issues, such as climate change , desertification , pollution , or wildlife .
- The cultural preservation and innovation , which are expressed by various forms, such as language , music , art , or literature .
What are some interesting facts about Mongolia?
Mongolia is a fascinating country that has many interesting facts to offer. Here are some examples:
- Mongolia is one of the few countries that has never been colonized by a foreign power.
- Mongolia is one of the few countries that has a national flag that features an animal: a horse.
- Mongolia is one of the few countries that has more horses than people: about 3 million horses to 3 million people.
- Mongolia is one of the few countries that has more than one official script: Cyrillic and Mongolian.
- Mongolia is one of the few countries that has more than one official time zone: UTC+7 and UTC+8.
- Mongolia is one of the few countries that has more than one capital city: Ulaanbaatar (the current capital) and Kharkhorin (the ancient capital).
- Mongolia is one of the few countries that has a national sport that involves wrestling, archery, and horse racing: the Naadam Festival.
- Mongolia is one of the few countries that has a national dish that consists of meat and dough: buuz (steamed dumplings) and khuushuur (fried dumplings).
- Mongolia is one of the few countries that has a national drink that is made from fermented mare’s milk: airag.
- Mongolia is one of the few countries that has a national instrument that has two strings and a horse head: the morin khuur (horse-head fiddle).
Conclusion
Mongolia is a unique and amazing country that has a lot to offer to the world. It has a rich and diverse geography, a long and complex history, and a vibrant and resilient culture. It also has a proud and nomadic people, who have preserved their traditions and adapted to modernity. Mongolia is a country that deserves to be explored and appreciated.
We hope this blog post has helped you learn more about Mongolia. If you want to know more facts about Mongolia, you can check out these sources:
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Thank you for reading this blog post and we hope you enjoy learning about Mongolia!