Mongolia is a country located in East and Central Asia. Known for its nomadic culture, vast landscapes, and rich history, Mongolia has many interesting facts that are worth exploring.
From its unique cuisine to its famous conquerors, here are some fascinating facts about Mongolia.
Interesting Mongolia Facts.
Mongolia has the world’s second-lowest population density.
Mongolia is a large country with a population of just over 3 million people, making it the world’s second least densely populated country.
With a land area of over 1.5 million square kilometers, Mongolia’s population density is just two people per square kilometer.
The country’s population is mostly concentrated in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, which accounts for more than half of the country’s population.
Mongolian cuisine is heavily based on dairy products.
Mongolian cuisine is unique and heavily influenced by the country’s nomadic culture. Mongolian cuisine is largely based on dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt.
Traditional Mongolian dishes include buuz, a steamed dumpling filled with meat and vegetables, and khuushuur, a fried pastry filled with meat. Airag, a fermented mare’s milk, is a popular beverage in Mongolia, particularly during summer.
The Mongol Empire was the largest contiguous empire in history
The Mongol Empire was founded by Genghis Khan in 1206 and lasted until the 14th century. At its height, the empire covered over 24 million square kilometers and had a population of over 100 million people.
The Mongol Empire was the largest contiguous empire in history, meaning it was an empire that existed in one unbroken piece of land.
The Mongolian language uses the Cyrillic alphabet.
The Mongolian language is the official language of Mongolia and is spoken by around 5 million people worldwide.
The Mongolian language uses the Cyrillic alphabet, which was introduced in the 1940s under Soviet influence.
Before introducing the Cyrillic alphabet, the Mongolian language was written using the traditional Mongolian script, which is still used in Inner Mongolia in China.
Mongolia is home to the world’s oldest national park
Mongolia is home to the world’s oldest national park, the Bogd Khan Uul National Park, which was established in 1783.
The park covers an area of over 41,000 hectares and is located just outside of Ulaanbaatar. The park is home to various flora and fauna, including several endangered species like the snow leopard and the Siberian ibex.
Mongolia is one of the few countries in the world with a double landlocked status.
Mongolia is one of only two countries in the world with a double landlocked status, meaning landlocked countries completely surround it.
The other country with a double landlocked status is Uzbekistan. Russia borders Mongolia to the north and China to the south, east, and west.
Mongolian traditional music is based on throat singing.
Mongolian traditional music is unique and is heavily influenced by the country’s nomadic culture.
One of the most distinctive features of Mongolian music is throat singing, also known as overtone singing.
Throat singing involves producing multiple notes simultaneously by manipulating the vocal cords, throat, and mouth. Throat singing is typically performed solo but can also be performed in groups.
The Gobi Desert is one of the world’s largest deserts.
The Gobi Desert is a large desert region that covers parts of northern and northwestern China and southern Mongolia.
The Gobi Desert is one of the world’s largest deserts and covers an area of over 500,000 square miles. The Gobi Desert is known for its unique landscapes, which include sand dunes, rocky outcroppings, and vast stretches of barren land.
Despite its harsh environment, the Gobi Desert is home to various plants and animals, including the Bactrian camel, snow leopard, and Gobi bear.
Mongolia is rich in mineral resources.
Mongolia is a country rich in mineral resources, with significant coal, copper, gold, and uranium deposits.
Mining is a major industry in Mongolia and accounts for a significant portion of the country’s GDP.
However, the mining industry has also been controversial, with concerns about environmental degradation and the displacement of nomadic communities.
The Naadam festival is a major cultural event in Mongolia
The Naadam festival is a major cultural event in Mongolia and is held annually in July. The festival celebrates Mongolian culture and includes traditional sports such as wrestling, horse racing, and archery.
The festival also features traditional music and dance performances and is a time for families and communities to come together and celebrate.
The Mongolian currency features images of wildlife
The Mongolian currency, the tugrik, features wildlife images on its banknotes. The 20,000 tugrik note features an image of a snow leopard, while the 5,000 tugrik note features a horse.
The use of wildlife imagery on the currency reflects the importance of nature and the environment in Mongolian culture.
Mongolia is home to some of the world’s most ancient rock art.
Mongolia is home to some of the world’s most ancient rock art, with some of the rock art dating back more than 10,000 years.
The rock art is found throughout Mongolia, particularly in the Altai Mountains in western Mongolia.
The rock art includes depictions of animals, humans, and geometric patterns and provides insights into the history and culture of early human societies in Mongolia.
The Khövsgöl Nuur is one of the world’s largest freshwater lakes
The Khövsgöl Nuur, also known as Lake Khövsgöl, is one of the world’s largest freshwater lakes and is located in northern Mongolia.
The lake covers an area of over 2,700 square kilometers and is up to 262 meters deep in some places. The lake is surrounded by pristine wilderness and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
The Mongolian script was developed in the 13th century
The traditional Mongolian script was developed in the 13th century and is still used in Inner Mongolia in China.
The script is written vertically from top to bottom and is known for its unique calligraphic style. The script is also used to write other regional languages like Buryat and Kalmyk.
Mongolia is home to the world’s largest statue of Genghis Khan
Mongolia is home to the world’s largest statue of Genghis Khan, located in Tianjin Boldog, about 54 kilometers east of Ulaanbaatar.
The statue stands 40 meters tall and is made of stainless steel. Visitors can climb up to the top of the statue for panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
Mongolian cuisine is influenced by its nomadic heritage
Mongolian cuisine is influenced by the country’s nomadic heritage and the need for hearty, portable food.
One of the most famous Mongolian dishes is khorkhog, made by cooking meat and vegetables in a metal container with hot stones.
Other popular dishes include buuz (steamed dumplings filled with meat), khuushuur (deep-fried meat pies), and aaruul (dried curds made from milk).
The Genghis Khan Mausoleum is a controversial site.
The Genghis Khan Mausoleum is a controversial site in Mongolia. The mausoleum was built in 2006 and is believed to contain the remains of Genghis Khan.
However, there is no conclusive evidence that the remains are actually those of the famous conqueror.
The mausoleum has also been criticized for disrespecting Mongolian traditions and promoting the idea of Genghis Khan as a deity.
Mongolian traditional clothing is colorful and practical
Mongolian traditional clothing is colorful and practical, designed to withstand the harsh Mongolian climate.
The most famous Mongolian garment is the deal, a long robe-like garment worn by both men and women. Deals are made from thick, warm fabrics and are often brightly colored, with intricate embroidery and patterns.
The Kazakh eagle hunters of Mongolia are world-famous
The Kazakh eagle hunters of Mongolia are world-famous for their skill in training and hunting with eagles.
The tradition dates back over 1,000 years and is still practiced by many Kazakh hunters in western Mongolia. The hunters train their eagles to hunt foxes and other small game, and the birds are highly valued for their hunting abilities.
The Chinggis Khaan International Airport is one of Mongolia’s busiest airports.
The Chinggis Khaan International Airport, located about 17 kilometers southwest of Ulaanbaatar, is one of Mongolia’s busiest airports.
The airport serves as the main gateway to the country and handles over 1.5 million passengers annually. The airport is named after Genghis Khan, also known as Chinggis Khaan in Mongolian.
Mongolia has a high literacy rate.
Mongolia has a high literacy rate, with an estimated 98% of the population being able to read and write.
Education is highly valued in Mongolian culture, and the government has significantly invested in the education system in recent years.
The country has several universities and technical schools, and many Mongolian students also study abroad.
Mongolia is home to several endangered species.
Mongolia is home to several endangered species, including the Gobi bear, snow leopard, and wild Bactrian camel.
The country is also home to the saiga antelope, which is classified as critically endangered. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these and other endangered species in Mongolia.
The Mongolian traditional music includes throat singing
Mongolian traditional music includes a unique style of singing known as throat singing or khöömei.
Throat singing involves producing multiple notes simultaneously and is often used to mimic the sounds of nature, such as the wind and water.
Throat singing is an important part of Mongolian culture and is often performed at traditional events and festivals.
In this article, we covered 23 amazing facts about Mongolia. Keep learning!
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