Mongolia

Mongolia is a landlocked country in the East Asia region. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, and covers an area of 1,564,116 square kilometers (603,909 square miles). This makes it the 18th-largest country in the world and the second largest landlocked country after Kazakhstan. Mongolia is also the world's most sparsely populated sovereign state, excluding partially unrecognized Western Sahara.

The country's landscape includes grassy steppe, mountains to the north and west, and the Gobi Desert to the south. The capital, Ulaanbaatar, is the largest city and home to roughly half of the country's population.

Throughout history, the territory of Mongolia has been ruled by various nomadic empires, including the Xiongnu, the Xianbei, and the Rouran. In 1206, Genghis Khan founded the Mongol Empire, which became the largest contiguous land empire in history. Today, about 30% of Mongolia's population is nomadic or semi-nomadic, and horse culture remains an important part of life.

After gaining independence from China in 1921, Mongolia became a satellite state of the Soviet Union. In the early 1990s, the country underwent a peaceful democratic revolution, leading to a multi-party system and a transition to a market economy.

Mongolia is home to many different groups of people. Most citizens are ethnic Mongols, but there are also Kazakhs, Tuvans, and other minorities. The country is a member of the United Nations and joined the World Trade Organization in 1997.

Etymology

The name Mongolia means "Land of the Mongols" in Latin. The Mongolian word "Mongol" has an uncertain origin. Some scholars think it may come from an ancient leader named Mugulü, who lived many years ago. Over time, the word "Mongol" came to represent many tribes that were brought together under one leader, Genghis Khan, in the thirteenth century. Since 1992, the official name of the country is "Mongolia."

Main article: Mongol Empire

History

Main article: History of Mongolia

Mongolia has a rich history that goes back thousands of years. Ancient cave paintings in the Khoit Tsenkher Cave, dated to around 20,000 years ago, show early human creativity. These paintings include animals like mammoths and lynxes.

Over time, many groups lived in Mongolia, forming powerful empires. One of the most famous was the Mongol Empire, started by Genghis Khan in 1206. This empire grew to become the largest land empire in history, stretching from Europe to Asia. After Genghis Khan, the empire split into parts, but Mongolia remained important.

In more recent times, Mongolia declared independence from China in 1911. It faced challenges, including wars and changes in government. Today, Mongolia is an independent country with a unique culture and history.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Mongolia

Mongolia is a large country in East Asia, covering 1,564,116 square kilometers (603,909 square miles). It is the 18th-largest country in the world and the second largest landlocked country after Kazakhstan. Mongolia shares borders with Russia to the north and China to the south.

The landscape of Mongolia is very different depending on the region. In the south, there is the Gobi Desert, while the north and west have cold, mountainous areas. Much of the country is made up of grassland, with some forested areas. The highest point in Mongolia is Khüiten Peak, which stands at 4,374 meters (14,350 feet) tall. Uvs Lake, shared with the Tuva Republic in Russia, is a special natural area recognized worldwide.

Main articles: Climate of Mongolia and Climate change in Mongolia

Mongolia has a very dry and sunny climate, often called the "Land of the Eternal Blue Sky." Summers can be hot, while winters are extremely cold, with temperatures sometimes dropping below −30 °C (−22 °F). The country experiences long, cold winters and short summers, with most rain falling during the summer months. Some areas, like the Khangai Mountains, have a special climate that is warmer and more stable than the rest of the country.

Main article: Wildlife of Mongolia

The Gobi Desert is a dry, grassy area that can turn into a true desert if too many animals graze there. This happens because the land becomes damaged and cannot support plants or animals anymore. The Gobi has unique animals and even some fossils of ancient sea creatures. Rivers like the Onon and Kherlen, and Lake Buir, are home to special species found only in Mongolia.

Government and politics

Main articles: Politics of Mongolia, Government of Mongolia, and Elections in Mongolia

Mongolia is a semi-presidential representative democratic republic. People elect a president and members of the unicameral legislature called the State Great Khural. The president chooses the prime minister and the cabinet, with the prime minister leading the government.

The State Great Khural has 126 members elected every four years by popular vote. The President of Mongolia can veto laws, appoint judges, and name ambassadors. Parliament can override a veto with a two-thirds majority. To become president, one must be a native-born Mongolian, at least 45 years old, and have lived in Mongolia for five years before taking office. The current president is Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh from the Mongolian People's Party, who won the presidential election in 2021.

Mongolia’s constitution protects freedoms like freedom of expression and religion. The country has several political parties, with the largest being the Mongolian People's Party and the Democratic Party. Mongolia is considered a free country by Freedom House.

Main articles: Provinces of Mongolia and Districts of Mongolia

Mongolia is divided into 21 provinces (aimags), each split into 330 districts (sums). The capital, Ulaanbaatar, is a separate municipality.

Main article: Foreign relations of Mongolia

Mongolia’s foreign relations focus on its neighbors, Russia and China. China is Mongolia’s biggest trading partner, but Mongolia also works with other countries to grow its economy and culture. It follows a “third neighbor policy” to build ties beyond Russia and China. In 2011, Joe Biden, then Vice President of the US, visited Mongolia to support this policy.

Mongolia has sent troops to support international peace efforts, including in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Sierra Leone. In 2005, George W. Bush visited Mongolia, becoming the first sitting US president to do so.

Main article: Judiciary of Mongolia

Mongolia’s courts have three levels: local courts, appellate courts, and the Supreme Court of Mongolia. There is also a separate constitutional court for important legal questions. Judges are chosen by a Judicial General Council, confirmed by parliament, and appointed by the President.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Mongolia

Mongolia's economy has traditionally relied on herding animals and farming crops. However, the country has rich deposits of minerals such as copper, coal, molybdenum, tin, tungsten, and gold, which have become important for its industry. Mining makes up a big part of Mongolia's economy, along with farming, trade, transportation, and real estate. Mongolia is also known for producing a lot of the world's raw cashmere.

A large part of Mongolia's economy operates informally, meaning it is not fully recorded. Most of Mongolia's exports go to the PRC, and many of its imports come from there as well. Despite some challenges, Mongolia's economy has grown, especially due to its coal production for China. The country hopes that mining will continue to help it grow in the future.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Mongolia

Mongolia's population in 2024 was about 3.5 million people. Most people live in cities, with over half living in the capital, Ulaanbaatar. The country has many different ethnic groups, but most people are ethnic Mongols. The main language is Mongolian, and many also speak Russian or English.

Mongolia has many religions. Most people practice Buddhism, but there are also Muslims, Christians, and others. Education has improved greatly over the years, and most children now go to school. Health services are available, though they can vary in different parts of the country.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Mongolia

The symbol on the left side of Mongolia's flag is a Buddhist design called Soyombo. It stands for the sun, moon, stars, and the sky, based on ideas found in old thangka paintings.

Architecture

Main article: Architecture of Mongolia

Traditional Mongolian homes are called gers. In the past, they were known as yurts. These round tents are made from wood and felt and are easy to move. In old times, people built temples that looked like gers with round roofs. Later, temples were built with square shapes and different styles from Mongolia, Tibet, and China.

Visual arts

Before the 1900s, most art in Mongolia was about religion and was inspired by religious books. Artists painted pictures called thangkas and made statues of bronze. In the late 1800s, some artists began painting more realistic pictures. After the 1980s, many new artists began creating modern art.

Music

Main article: Music of Mongolia

Mongolia's music comes from nature, traveling, and ancient beliefs. Traditional music uses instruments like the morin khuur and styles such as urtyn duu ("long song") and throat-singing khoomei. Dances like tsam were performed to keep away bad spirits.

Media

Main article: Media of Mongolia

Mongolia's news began in 1920 with a newspaper called Unen. For many years, the government controlled all news. After the 1990s, Mongolia became a place where people could share ideas freely. Today, Mongolia has many newspapers, TV stations, and radio stations.

Sports and festivals

Mongolia's biggest festival is Naadam, held each summer. It includes three traditional games: archery, horse racing, and wrestling. Another popular game is called Shagaa, where people flick sheep bones at a target.

Horse riding is very important in Mongolia. During Naadam, there are long horse races. Wrestling is the most popular sport, with hundreds of wrestlers competing each year. Other sports such as basketball, weightlifting, and table tennis are also enjoyed.

Mongolia holds many festivals, including the Golden Eagle Festival, the Ice Festival, and the Thousand Camel Festival. In 2025, a Mongolian team of athletes placed second in a competition called Physical: Asia.

In film

See also: List of Mongolian films

The Eagle Huntress/ is a 2016 documentary film that tells the story of Aisholpan Nurgaiv, a 13-year-old girl from Mongolia, who dreamed of becoming the first female eagle hunter. She worked hard to take part in an important eagle-hunting festival in Ulgii, Mongolia.

In winter 2023, filmmakers followed two young horse herders, Batbold and Tsagana, as they guided their herd of about 2,000 animals through the Tsaikhir Valley. This journey is becoming rarer because of changes in the climate and because many young people are moving to cities for jobs. Their documentary, called Iron Winter, was shown at film festivals in Melbourne and Adelaide in 2025.