Mongolia President: Tsakhiagiyn Elbegdorj (2009) Prime Minister: Sukhbaataryn Batbold (2009) Total area: 604,247 sq mi (1,565,000 sq km)

Population (2010 est.): 3,086,918 (growth rate: 1.4%); birth rate: 21.0/1000; infant mortality rate: 38.5/1000; life expectancy: 67.9; density per sq km: 1 Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Ulaan Baatar, 804,200 Monetary unit: Tugrik History of Mongolia: Early Mongolian History: Mongolia's nomadic people have at times hungered for goods from settled cultures - things like fine metal-work, silk cloth, and weapons. To get these items, the Mongols would unite and raid surrounding peoples. The first great confederation was the Xiongnu, organized in 209 B.C. The Xiongnu were such a persistent threat to Qin Dynasty China that the Chinese began work on a massive fortification - the Great Wall of China. In 89 A.D., the Chinese defeated the Northern Xiongnu at the Battle of Ikh Bayan; the Xiongnu fled west, eventually making their way to Europe. There, they became known as the Huns. Other tribes soon took their place. First the Gokturks, then the Uighurs, the Khitans, and the Jurchens gained ascendancy in the region. The Mongol Empire: Mongolia's fractious tribes were united in 1206 A.D. by a warrior named Temujin, who became known as Genghis Khan. He and his successors conquered most of Asia, including the Middle East, and Russia. The Mongolian Empire's strength waned after the overthrow of their centerpiece, the Yuan Dynasty rulers of China, in 1368.

Mongolia Overpowered: In 1691, the Manchus, founders of China's Qing Dynasty, conquered Mongolia. Although the Mongols of "Outer Mongolia" retained some autonomy, their leaders had to swear an oath of allegiance to the Chinese emperor. Mongolia was a province of China between 1691 and 1911, and again from 1919 to 1921. The present-day border between Inner (Chinese) Mongolia and Outer (independent) Mongolia was drawn in 1727, when Russia and China signed the Treaty of Khiakta. As the Manchu Qing Dynasty grew weaker in China, Russia began to encourage Mongolian nationalism. Mongolia declared its independence from China in 1911, when the Qing Dynasty fell. Chinese troops recaptured Outer Mongolia in 1919, while the Russians were distracted by their revolution. However, Moscow occupied Mongolia's capital at Urga in 1921, and Outer Mongolia became a People's Republic under Russian influence in 1924. Japan invaded Mongolia in 1939, but was thrown back by Soviet-Mongolian troops. Mongolia joined the UN in 1961. At that time, relations between the Soviets and Chinese were souring rapidly. Caught in the middle, Mongolia tried to remain neutral. In 1966, the Soviet Union sent a large number of ground forces into Mongolia to face down the Chinese. Mongolia itself began to expel its ethnic Chinese citizens in 1983. Independent Mongolia: In 1987, Mongolia began to pull away from the USSR. It established diplomatic relations with the U.S., and saw large-scale pro-democracy protests in 1989-1990. The first democratic elections for the Great Hural were held in 1990, and the first presidential election in 1993.

In the two decades since Mongolia's peaceful transition to democracy began, the country has been developing slowly but steadily.

REGIONS The capital of Mongolia - Ulaanbaatar. The city areas - Darkhan uul, Govi-Sumber, Orkhon. Central Mongolia - Tuv, Uvurkhangai, Arkhangai. Northern Mongolia - Khuvsgul, Bulgan, Selenge. Eastern Mongolia - Khentii, Dornod, Sukhbaatar. Western Mongolia - Bayan-Ulgii, Khovd, Uvs, Zavkhan. The Gobi - Dundgovi, Umnugovi, Dornogovi, Bayan-Khongor, GobiAltai.

Religion Mongolians have been Buddhists since the 13th century, when the Mongolian king, Genghis khan, was converted by Tibetan lamas. In the prerevolutionary period, Mongolia was ruled by a series of Living Buddhas, or Jebtzun Damba. The eighth, and last, Jebtzun Damba was removed after the communist takeover. Traditionally, monasteries were centres both of learning and of power. It's estimated Mongolia had 100,000 monks, in 1921 -- one third of the male population. In the 1930s, this power became the focus of a ruthless series of purges that reached a climax in 1937. Most of the country's monasteries were destroyed, and as many as 17,000 monks were killed. by today Mongolia is once again embracing its Buddhist heritage. Monasteries are being restored, and are once again crowded with worshippers. The Dalai Lama is an enormously popular figure and has visited the country several times. For many Mongolians, Buddhism is flavoured with traces of Shamanism, an even more ancient spirituality. Mongolia also has a significant Muslim community -- about 6 per cent of the population. These are mostly ethnic Kazakhs living in the far west of the country. The openingup of the country has led to an influx of Christian missionaries, and this remains a source of some tension and debate.

Economy Mongolia has traditionally been a land of pastoral nomadism; livestock raising and the processing of animal products are the main industries. Wool, hides, meat, cloth, and leather goods are exported. Irrigation has made some agriculture possible; wheat and oats are the chief crops. Coal, iron ore, gold, and oil are important mineral resources. Mongolia is crossed north to south by a railroad linking Beijing with Russia. The region has an adequate system of roadways, although most roads are unpaved. Camels and yaks are often used in desert and mountain areas. Trade traditionally has been greater with Russia than with China, but this has been changing in recent years.

Government THE MONGOLIAN PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC was undergoing a major transition in the development of its government and political institutions in the late 1980s. Beginning in 1984, the country had embarked on a program to restructure its political and economic system in ways that engaged the entire population and made it responsible and accountable for the country's modernization. Much of the inspiration for this program came from the Soviet Union's examples of glasnost and perestroika. Nevertheless, in developing its policies, Mongolia's senior leadership displayed a realistic awareness not only of the severe challenges, but also of the opportunities, afforded by Mongolia's unique political, social, economic, and geophysical conditions. There were efforts by mid-1989 to revive key elements of the Mongolian cultural heritage. This effort apparently was inspired by the recognized need to instill vitality in a polity long stifled by the wholesale imposition of Soviet models. Openings to the West, including the 1987 establishment of diplomatic relations with the United States, increased Mongolia's options within the international diplomatic community and provided additional developmental models. Finally, by mid-1989, the gradual normalizing of Sino-Soviet relations had helped significantly to reduce the tensions inherent in Mongolia's strategic location, enveloped between these giant countries, which facilitated a resurgence of Mongolian national identity and allowed a small measure of Mongolian political independence. Tourist Spots in Mongolia

Mongolia boasts of some of the most fascinating places to visit in the entire world. Missing out on any of these top ten places to see when touring the country would make a visit incomplete. The National Museum of Mongolian History Located within Ulaanbaatar, the museum is a popular tourist spot in Mongoliawhere you can more fully learn the rich history of the country. You can find various artifacts that came from the different time periods of the history ofMongolia. Orkhon Khurkhree A one-of-a-kind waterfall that flows down to the river Orkhon. This tourist spot inMongolia has a cold and refreshing water that is perfectly suited for swimming. But do keep in mind that the natives of the place dont really enjoy swimming.

Erdene Zuu A large Buddhist monastery in the country that it can accommodate more than a thousand monks at the same time. This tourist spot in Mongolia is among the many Buddhist monastery found in the country since Buddhism is Mongolias practiced religion. Yolin Am The place is known as the vulture canyon and a perfect tourist spot in Mongoliafor trekking. Climbing the walls of the canyon can be a great challenge for expert level mountaineers. If you are not a mountaineer, then the astounding view of the canyon can truly captivate you. The presence of little waterfalls by the walls of the canyon after each rain gives an added beauty to Yolin Am. Gandantegchilen Kloster This tourist spot in Mongolia is the biggest monastery in the country and still being used up to this moment. The structure was built in 1810 and became damaged during the era of socialism in the country. The monastery was rebuilt in 1990.

Khyatruuni Rashaan A mineral spring and hiking is the only way to reach to the location. A tourist spot in Mongolia that is very serene and the surrounding meadow gives a very beautiful view of nature. Naadam A national holiday in Mongolia that is widely celebrated by the people and the event is similar to the Olympics. Various games of the nomads are played and participated in. See expert wrestlers, horsemen, and archers competing with each other to win in the game they are in. Bayan Zag A tourist spot in Mongolia that is called as the flaming cliffs. The tattered rock formations are made from sediments that have a reddish-brown color. The ideal time to view the cliffs is before sunset and during sunrise when the rock formations do look like gigantic burning coals. Bogdkhan Uul This national park is filled with various wildlife that is not intruded by hunters thus giving out a wonderful and breathtaking scenery. In this tourist spot in Mongoliayou can also find the Manzshir Monastery that was built in the year 1733 and it houses important historical documents, traditional masks, and Buddhist arts. Kharkhorin The capital city of the ancient empire of Mongolia that was ruled by the great Genghis Khan. Exploring the ruins of the city is an interesting thing to do.

KNOWN TO THAT COUNTRY A 131-foot statue of Genghis Khan sits on the steppe about an hours drive from Ulan Bator. He sits on the world's tallest statue of a horse. Mongolia has the oldest National Park in the world. Lying just South of Ulan Bator the Bogd Khan National Park dates its origin to 1778. Some people drive ten-thousand miles in a car to get to Mongolia - it's called the Mongol Rally. The rally finishes at a pub with a chilled beer waiting! Ulan Bator used to move three times a year - a nomadic city!

 Ulan Bator is the coldest capital city in the world! Mongolians spell Ulan Bator - 'Ulaan Baatar,' which means 'Red Hero.' Mongolia stands an average of 5,800 feet above sea level!. Despite its landlocked status, Mongolia has many salt lakes. You could fit the Netherlands into Mongolia thirty-seven times! BUT you can fit Mongolian roads into the Dutch road system sixty-seven times!

The Gobi was once a sea - which explains the marine fossils! Many dinosaur fossils still lie exposed. Tourists pick them up as souvenirs. Roy Chapman Andrews made the first discovery of dinosaur eggs in the Gobi. His exploits inspired the creation of Indiana Jones. Genghis Khan could not read or write, but he commissioned the first Mongolian writing system - the Mongolian script. Since the Soviet period, Mongolians have used the Cyrillic script. In Mongolian the verb comes last. If you want to know whether a Mongolian loves or hates you, you have to wait till the end of the sentence!

SOURCES:

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Read more: Mongolia, region, Asia: Economy Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0859740.html#ixzz1d yiPpi16 Readmore:http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp? historyid=ac95#ixzz1dyhIrtYG

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