Mongolia

From Freepedia

For the region of the same name, see Mongolia (region)

Mongolia (Khalkh Mongol: Монгол Улс) is a landlocked nation in central Asia, bordered by Russia to the north and the People's Republic of China to the south. It was the center of the Mongol Empire of the 13th century, but was ruled by the Manchu Qing dynasty from the end of the 18th century until an independent government was formed with Soviet assistance in 1921. Following the fall of the Soviet Union, Mongolia adopted electoral politics. The 18th largest country in the world by area, Mongolia has very little arable land: much of its area is grassland, with mountains in the north and west and the Gobi Desert in the south. Little over 30 percent of the population are nomadic or semi-nomadic Tibetan Buddhists of the Mongol ethnicity. Over fifty per cent of the population reside in capital city Ulaanbaatar.

Image:Flag of Mongolia.png	Image:Suld.gif
(Flag)	(Coat of Arms)

Motto: none

Anthem: Монгол Улс

Image:LocationMongolia.png

Capital

Ulaanbaatar
47°55′ N 106°53′ E

Largest city

Ulaanbaatar

Official languages

Mongolian

Government

President
Prime minister

Parliamentary democracy
Nambaryn Enkhbayar
Tsakhiagiyn Elbegdorj

Independence
- Declared July 11, 1921

Area
• Total
• Water (%) 1,564,116 km² (18th)
0.6

Population
• 2004 est.
• 2000 census
• Density 2,791,272 (134th)
—
1/km² (193rd)

GDP (PPP)
• Total
• Per capita 2005 estimate
$5.230 billion (151st)
$2,046 (146th)

Currency Tugrug (MNT)

Time zone
• Summer (DST) (UTC+7)
(UTC+8)

Internet TLD

.mn

Calling code +976

1 History
2 Provinces
3 Geography
4 Economy
5 Demographics
6 Culture
7 Other
8 Miscellaneous topics
9 External links
- 9.1 General

History

Main article: History of Mongolia

In the 13th century, Mongolia was the center of the Mongol Empire, the largest contiguous land empire in world history. After more than a century of power, the Mongol Empire ended and Mongolia fell back into a state of internal struggle and feuds, which paved the way for the Manchu conquest of Inner Mongolia in 1636 and the submission of Outer Mongolia in 1691. Both Inner and Outer Mongolia declared independence in 1911, but only Outer Mongolia succeeded, with Russian help. After the October Revolution in Russia, Chinese troops re-occupied Outer Mongolia in 1919, but were caught in the middle when White and Red Russian armies extended the Russian Civil War into (Outer) Mongolian territory, and driven out in 1921. In 1924, the Mongolian People's Republic was proclaimed. Mongolia was aligned closely with the Soviet Union. Politicians who demanded a more independent course, like Bodoo or Dandzan, were quickly toppled and executed. In 1928 Horloogiyn Choybalsan rose to power. Under his rule, forced collectivisation, purges, and the destruction of the Lamaist monasteries in 1937 left more than 10,000 people dead.

During World War II, the USSR defended Mongolia against Japan during the Battle of Halhin Gol. Mongolian forces also took part in the Soviet offensive against Japanese forces in Inner Mongolia of August 1945 (see Operation August Storm). The threat of Mongolian forces seizing parts of Inner Mongolia induced the Republic of China to recognize Outer Mongolia's independence, provided that a referendum was held. The referendum took place on October 20, 1945, with, according to official numbers, 100% of the electorate voting for independence. After the establishment of the People's Republic of China, both countries recognized each other on October 6, 1949.

After Choybalsan died in Moscow on January 26 1952, Yumjaagiyn Tsedenbal took power. In 1956 and again in 1962, Choybalsan's 'personality cult' was condemned. Mongolia continued to closely align itself with the Soviet Union, especially after the Sino-Soviet split of the late 1950s. While Tsedenbal visited Moscow in August 1984, being very ill, the parliament announced his retirement and replaced him with Jambyn Batmonh.

In 1990, the Communist Party relinquished control over the government, paving the way for a new constitution in 1992 that abolished the People's Republic and created a hybrid parliamentary/presidential state.

Provinces

Main article: Provinces of Mongolia
Mongolia is split in to 21 provinces (aimag), Ulaanbaatar (the capital) is a municipality with provincial status. Image:Mg-map.png

Geography

Image:GobiDessertReliefMap.jpg

Main article: Geography of Mongolia

The Mongolian heartland consists of relatively flat steppes. The southern portion of the country is taken up by the Gobi Desert, while the northern and western portions are mountainous. Uvs Nuur Lake, shared with Tuva Republic of the Russian Federation, is a natural World Heritage Site.

Most of the country is hot in the summer and extremely cold in the winter, with temperatures dropping as low as -30°C (-22°F). The country is also subject to occasional harsh climactic conditions known as zud or dzud.

Ulaanbaatar has the coldest average temperature of any national capital in the world.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Mongolia

Mongolia's economy is centered on Agriculture and Mining. The Majority of population lives on their live stocks, mainly cow, sheep, goat, horse and camel (bactrian). Many industrial facilities were closed down with the start of capitalism and the end of the Soviet Union, which supported the largely loss-making factories. In Mining, the main products are petroleum, coal and copper with smaller industries in molybdenum, tungsten, and phosphate mining. Following decades of state-run enterprise, the economy has undergone an often-painful transition to capitalism. There are currently over 30,000 independent businesses in Mongolia, chiefly centered around the capital city. Outside the cities most Mongolians engage in sustenance herding.

GDP per capita is about $420. Although GDP has risen steadily since 2002, the state is still working to overcome a sizable trade deficit. A massive ($11 billion) foreign debt to Russia was settled by the Mongolian government in 2004 with a $300 million payment; this reduced value was accepted due to Mongolian hardship and losses of human lives during the Soviet Era. Mongolia joined the World Trade Organization in 1997 and now exports cashmere, minerals, and food products to Russia, United States, China, Japan, Italy, and other countries.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Mongolia

Most Mongolians are Mongol in descent: there are also smaller populations of Kazakh and Tungus people. The predominant religion is Tibetan Buddhism. As in many developing countries, Mongolia's young and rapidly growing population has put great strains on its economy.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Mongolia

Other

Ulan Bator and Outer Bongolia are the titles of two songs by the electro-pop band Stereolab from the albums 'Aluminum Tunes' and 'The First of the Microbe Hunters', respectively.