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Topology
Mongolia covers a land area of over 1,566,500 square kilometres.
It is a landlocked country located in Central Asia and is bordered
by Russia to the north (3485km) and China to the east, west and
south (4676.8 km). Mongolia's terrain is characterised by semi desert
and desert plains, mountains in the west and southwest and the Gobi
desert in the southeast. There are 21 administrative units (aimags)
in Mongolia. Ulaanbaatar, Darkhan, Erdenet and Choibalsan are the
main cities.
Climate
Mongolia is one of the sunniest countries in the world, with over
250 sunny days in a year which justifiably gives it the reputation
as the land of blue skies.Mongolia is located in the Northern Hemisphere
Temperate Zone. Situated at an average altitude of 1500m above sea
level, separated from the oceans, surrounded by high mountain chains
that block the wet winds. Mongolia has an extreme continental climate
which means that it is so far inland that no sea moderates its climate
hence the humidity is very low. The best time to visit Mongolia
is from April to September. The average temperature in summer (July-September)
is around 20C and -20C in winter (November to March). Annual precipitation
ranges from 250 mm in the north to 100 mm in the south of the country.
To check what the weather is currently in Ulaanbaatar, please click
here.
Demographic Characteristics
The 2000 census calculated the total population of
Mongolia to be just over 2.38 million, of which 35% were under 15
years of age. Mongolia has one of Asia's highest natural rates of
population growth and the population has more then doubled since
1960. However the average population density remains low, at about
1.4 persons per square kilometre. The majority of the population
is Khalkh. The other ethnic groups are called Bayad, Buryad, Dorvod,
Urianhai and Uzumchin. The population of Ulaanbaatar is 700,000
people. However a significant percentage of these people live in
gers on the outskirts of town.
Language
The official language is Khalka Mongolian, a member of the Altaic
group of languages (it is also referred to as Mongol) which is spoken
throughout the country. It belongs to the Ural-Altaic group of languages.
The script used is the Cyrillic alphabet which was adopted in 1944.
Russian remains the most widely spoken foreign language, but this
is changing as other languages, such as English, French and Japanese
are gaining in popularity.
Entry Requirments
A valid passport and visa are required to enter Mongolia. Countries
with bilateral agreements with Mongolia do not need visas though.
Mongolian visas are available from any Mongolian embassy or consulate.
For a list of these embassies click here. The client must then present
himself at the embassy, with his passport and two photographs and
fill out an application form, submitted with the appropriate fee.
No vaccination certificates are required however it is recommended
that you vaccinate yourself against hepatitis, cholera, meningitis
and rabies.
To apply for a Mongolian visa you need
A Passport which is valid six (6) months after you leave Mongolia
2. At least one, preferably two passport sized photos
3. A completed application form (Click here to download application
form)
- For tourists wishing to stay over 30 days up to 90 days, a letter
of invitation is needed from a travel agency of Mongolia
- If you are traveling on a personal invitation of a citizen of
Mongolia, an invitation approved by the Office of Immigration, Naturalization
and Foreign Citizens of Mongolia, and applicant's written statement
concerning his/her financial credibility to cover your stay in Mongolia.
- For those passing Mongolia in transit, onward ticket and visa
for next destination are required.
Visa regulations have recently changed. You CANNOT buy visas
at Mongolian borders or at the airport upon arrival. Visas must
be obtained in advance. All types of visas can be obtained from
the Visa and Passport Division of the Ministry of External Relations,
in Ulaanbaatar, and also Mongolian Embassies, Consulates, Honorary
Consulates, Trade and Permanent Missions abroad.
Banking
The Mongolian currency is called the Togrog (MNT). The official
rate as of April 2002 was USD$1 for 1104 MNT. It is is available
in denominations of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000 &
10,000 Tugrug Notes. Coins are beginning to become into circulation
and are in denominations of MNT 20, 50, 100 and 200. All notes carry
the face of Chinggis Khan or Sukhbaatar on them.
You can change most major Asian and European currencies at the
central post office in Ulaanbaatar, several banks, licensed moneychangers
and some tourist hotels. The US greenback is the most accepted currency.
Travellers Cheques can be changed at most major banks and top end
hotels, but only US travellers cheques and from major companies
are accepted. Travellers cheques cannot be changed anywhere outside
Ulaanbaatar.
Transportation
Airlines
MIAT (Mongolian Airlines) is the main air carrier. Today MIAT
has direct flights to 21 aimags in the country, plus flights to
Moscow, Beijing, Hohhot, Seoul, Istanbul, Osaka, Berlin and Frankfurt.
Aeroflot, Air China and Korean Air are other carriers who operate
flights to Ulaanbaatar. Buyant-Ukhaa airport is located 18km from
the centre of Ulaanbaatar. Airport tax is USD$12.
Rail
One of the most famous railroads in the world, the Trans-Siberian
railway connecting (1815) Russia and China plays a vital role in
Mongolian railway development. The railway goes to Moscow, Naushki
and Isturuk to the north, and to Beijing, Erlian and Hohhot to the
south. The border posts are Ereen-Zamyn Uud on the Chinese-Mongolian
border and Naushki-Sukhbaatar on the Russian-Mongolian border. In-country
networks connect Ulaanbaatar with Sukhbaatar, Zamyn-Uud, Baganuur,
Darkhan, Erdenet, Zuun-Bayan and Choibalsan.
Road
The length of the Mongolian roads is 467,000 km, of which only
1,300 km are paved. In Ulaanbaatar there are a number of options
to choose such as buses, minivans and taxis. Trolley buses are usually
very crowded. They cost 200 Tog. Mini buses cost 300 Tog. Taxis
cost 250 Togrog per km. There are four taxi companies operating,
but the most distinguishable are the yellow Korean "city taxis".
If you wish to venture out to the countryside, Most hotels and
tour companies can provide cars or jeeps with a driver and guide/
interpreter. Outside Ulaanbaatar, the road conditions are very challenging
as there are only a few paved roads, so drivers may use dirt tracks.
Accommodation
Hotels
In Ulaanbaatar, there are varous top class hotels you can live
in during your stay. These include the Tuushin Hotel, Ulaanbaatar
Hotel, Chinggis Hotel and the Flower Hotel. These hotels have various
facilities such as Cable TV with access to CNN and BCC, showers,
minibars and room service.
Gers
There are numerous ger camps scattered around all of Mongolia.
A Ger is a white felt tent and is the choice of accommodation for
many nomads. This is because it is quite inexpensive, relatively
comfortale and can be moved easily. A ger is made out of canvas
and is supported by wooden frames. In the centre of a ger is a stove
which is used for heating and cooking purposes. On the sides of
the gers are beds. Showers, restaurant and dinning facilities are
usually located in a central building.
Food
The traditional food in Mongolia is mutton. Most Mongolians prefer
their mutton boiled. Some dishes you may come across shorlog (Mongolian
Barbecue or shish kebab), horhog (roasted sheep) and buuz (steamed
dumplings).
Ulaanbaatar has numerous restaurants which offer a variety of traditional
and international cuisines. You can choose to eat traditional Asian
and European foods such as Chinese, African, Mexican, Russian, Italian
and many other meals. It is highly recommended that you bring your
own supplies to the countryside, as fruits and vegetables may be
in short supply outside Ulaanbaatar.
Health
Mongolia has a rich heritage of traditional medicine that is directly
connected with the nomadic lifestyle Mongolians have been following
for centuries. Herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage and bone setting
have been popular for many years. The health sector of the country
is represented by Medical schools at all different levels. These
include medical research institutes, child care-centres, central
clinical hospitals, medicine supply agency, aimag hospitals and
many other institutes and agencies. Political and economic changes
that are taking place in the country have led to a transformation
of the health care structure. As a result, many new private and
state clinics, hospitals and health centres are being opened.
It is highly advisable that travellers obtain travel insurance.
This should include coverage that will cover any costs in the case
of injury or illness on the trip including medical attention and
evacuation.
Communication
Postal
Normal sized letters cost 550T and Postcards cost 400T to send to
all countries. A 1kg airmail parcel can cost anywhere between 13,000T
to 17,000T to most countries.
Phone
The international country code for Mongolia is 976 and the Ulaanbaatar
code is 11. Phone numbers usually have 6 numbers. If you plan to
dial international. You can make the call from your hotel room,
or book a phone from the central post office. The number to the
operator is (106). On the streets of Ulaanbaatar you may find people
walking around with phones. These are infrared phones and they charge
100 Tog for a local call.
Electronic mail
E-mail is easily the most efficient and effective way to communicate
outside Mongolia if you are traveling. There are various Internet
cafes in downtown Ulaanbaatar which charge from between 1,000T to
2,000T.
Time
Mongolia is divided up into two time zones. the three wesern aimags
of Bayan-Olgii, Uvs and Khovd are one hour earlier then Ulaanbaatar,
while the rest of the country is the same time as Ulaanbaatar's.
The standard time in Ulaanbaatar is GMT +8 hours. The time in Ulaabbaatar,
Mongolia is now is
Please refresh page to see current date and time
Electricity
The electricity current is 220volts with 50Hz, using
European style socket adapters with two prongs. The power suppy
is very reliable in Ulaanbaatar
Religion
Tibetan Buddhism is one of the most popular religions
in Mongolia. Undergoing a revival after being surpressed by the
Russian purges until 1990, it is now practiced freely by monks all
around Mongolia, and many monasterires and temples are being built.
There is often a progression of prayer and chanting inside. The
temples and monasteriescontain religious artefats such as tangkas,
statutes, butter lamp candles and prayer wheels which decororate
them which are over hundreds of years old. Islam especially in the
west is also pratice, mainly by the ethnic Kazaks. Christianity
is exp[eriencing a greater presence, especially with the younger
generation.
Shamanism is one of the more interesting religions
in Mongolia.Mongoliansconsider the sky "the father" and
earth "mother nature". The sharman acts as an intermediatery
between the man and the spirits.Ovoos are a symbol of Shamanism.
This is a collection of stones, wood and other items placed on a
hill or by the roadside which act as a offering to the gods. These
are scared and it is forbidden to hunt or dig near one.
Flora and Fauna
Mongolia is a sparsely populated country with a comparatively low
developed industry. Therefore, its nature has not been severely
influenced by human activities and in most parts of the country
the nature is still pristine. Indigenous species of animals and
plants have formed a unique assemblage.
The northern part of the Central Asian desert and the southernmost
edge of Siberian taiga form the ecosystems of Mongolia. It is represented
by 3,000 species of following plants, 875 fungus and 300 species
of microorganisms spread across the vast territory of the country.
Today, 136 species of mammals, 436 species of birds, 8 amphibians
and 75 species of fish & mollusks have been registered in Mongolia.
Media
One of the important achievements of the Mongolian democracy is
free press and freedom of speech. A number of newspapers, television
and radio channels have appeared thanks to the lifting of restrictions.
Today over 500 newspapers and approxiamately 120 magazines are being
published. People are getting information from several state and
private television transmissions. Mongol television, Ulaanbaatar
broadcasting system (UBS), Eagle TV, Channel MN-25 and several other
cable TV stations are amongst several channels which can be seen.
Mongolian radio continues its traditional transmissions in English,
Russian, Chinese and Japanese.
Public Holidays
New Year's Day - 1st January
Tsagaan Tsar - Early Feburary
Mothers' and Children's Day - 1st June
Naadam - 11th to 13th July
Independence Day - 26th November
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