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According to MIT's Observatory of Economic Complexity (atlas.media.mit.edu), the following items are major exports of MONGOLIA: aluminum, animal food, animal hair, antiques, bran, clothing and textiles, coal briquettes, copper, excavation machinery, feldspar, gold, horses, integrated circuits, iron, large construction vehicles, meat, nuts, oilseeds, perfume plants, petroleum, processed food, scrap plastic, tobacco, tungsten, wheat, wool, and zinc. According to the International Monetary Fund (data.imf.org), countries and territories buying and importing most of those exports (February 2017 statistics) include China (top importer), the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Russia, South Korea, Italy, Singapore, Japan, the United States, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, France, Vietnam, Australia, India, Kazakhstan, Canada, Indonesia, and Kyrgyzstan.
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ for MONGOLIA in Central Asia lists 5 critically endangered species and 14 endangered species. There are no extinct species in Mongolia featured on the Red List. Mongolia's five critically endangered species are the Baer's Pochard, Saiga antelope, Snow Crane, Sociable Plover, and Two-humped Camel. These species are endangered in Mongolia: Asiatic Wild Dog, Eastern Curlew bird, Egyptian Eagle, Hoffmann's Pika mammal (one of the cutest animals ever, in my opinion!), Japanese White Stork, Manchurian Crane, Mongolian Wild Horse, Saker Falcon, Siberian Sturgeon, Snow Leopard (Ounce), Steppe Eagle, Tarbagan Marmot rodent, White-headed Duck, and Yellow-breasted Bunting. Discover more about this country with my comprehensive Mongolia post!
In addition to the Mongolian Wild Horse, species named after Mongolia include three species of Jerboas (Mongolian Five-toed Jerboa, Mongolian Jerboa, and Mongolian Three-toed Jerboa) and the Mongolian Finch (Mongolian Trumpeter Finch), Mongolian Gerbil (Mon. Jird), Mongolian Hamster, Mongolian Lark, Mongolian Mountain Vole and Mongolian Vole, Mongolian Pika, Mongolian Plover, Mongolian Redfin fish, and Mongolian Toad.
This post is part of the Mongolia Week series of posts for February 22-28.
While MONGOLIA is known for its Gobi (Govĭ) Desert, lots of mountain ranges also straddle across the sparsely-populated northeast Asian country. Mongolia's longest mountain range, the Altai (Altay) mountains in western Mongolia stretch from the intersection of four countries (Mongolia, China, Kazakhstan, and Russia) then eastward through three somewhat large Mongolian provinces: Bayan-Ölgiy, Hovd, and Govĭ-Altay. Nayramadlin Orgil in the Altai mountains is Mongolia's tallest peak. It stands tall at about 14,350 feet or 4,374 meters at the tip of western Mongolia. Govĭ Altayn Nuruu is the Altai mountain range's eastern extension, dipping down towards Mongolia's southern border. From west to east, it crosses over Bayanhongor, Övörhangay, and Ömnogovi provinces before reaching China's northern border.
North-central Mongolia features several mountain ranges, including Bulnayn Nuruu, Bürengiyn Nuruu, and Tarvagatyn Nuruu. Further south of those three ranges is Hargayn Nuruu, a longer and more prominent mountain range crossing through Dzavhan, northern Bayanhongor, Arhangay, and northern Övörhangay provinces from west to east. Hentiyn Nuruu mountain range stretches along the border between Töv and Hentiy provinces. It is east of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's capital. Finally, Ereen Davaani Nuruu is located further east, stretching across eastern Hentiy and northwestern Dornod near Russia's southern border.
This post is part of the Mongolia Week series of posts for February 22-28.
With a population greater than one million, Ulaanbaatar (Ulan Bator) in east-central MONGOLIA is the county's capital. Ulaanbaatar has the most residents of any Mongolian city, which makes sense because the whole country's population is only about three million. Currently, all other Mongolian cities have populations less than 100,000. Previously in Bulgan province, Erdenet city is now in Orhon province and has the second-largest population in Mongolia. Possessing one of the world's largest open-pit copper mines, Erdenet is west-northwest of Ulaanbaatar in north-central Mongolia. East of Erdenet, Darhan in tiny Darhan-Uul province has the third-largest population. Darhan features universities, a manufacturing industry with heydays before the 1990s, and museums.
Located in northeastern Mongolia, Choybalsan is the provincial seat and largest city in Dornod province. It has been a stop along a major historic trading route in Mongolia. The ten next largest cities in regards to population are Mörön in northern Mongolia (Hövsgöl province), Nalayh located east of Ulaanbaatar but still in the municipality of Ulaanbaatar, Bayanhongor in south-central Mongolia (Bayanhongor province), Ölgiy (Bayan-Ölgiy province) and Hovd (Hovd province) in western Mongolia, Arvayheer about 150 kilometers east of Bayanhongor in Övörhangay province, and Ulaangom in northwestern Mongolia (Uvs province). Mörön is south of Hövsgöl Nuur, a lake with the largest volume in Mongolia. Meanwhile, Ulaangom is southwest of Uvs Nuur, a permanent salty lake designated as Mongolia's largest lake by area.
This post is part of the Mongolia Week series of posts for February 22-28.
Mostly located in northeastern MONGOLIA, the Wall of Genghis Khan stretches across two provinces (aymguud, or aymag in the singular form) in Mongolia. Unlike the Great Wall of China, this wall is rather difficult to find on aerial images and currently stands about nine feet in some locations. You may be asking, why was this wall built? Genghis Khan's son, Ögedei, and possibly other helpers are believed to have built it about 2,000 years ago as an animal fence to prevent wild gazelle from leaving his land. While Ögedei was worried about animals leaving his area, the Great Wall of China's builders were worried about Mongols invading their area!
In regards to geographic location, the wall in northeast Hentiy province parallels the Ereen Daavani mountain range, which is diagonally oriented northeasterly and southwesterly. Next, the wall crosses northern Dornod province, where tiny lakes and streams dot the landscape. Some of those lakes include Har Nuur, Höh Nuur, Hyartin Nuur, and Jirmiyn Tsagaan Nuur. Further east, it crosses into northeastern China and travels about 90 kilometers (56 miles) through the Nei Mongol Autonomous Region, barely reaching the border with Russia.
This post is part of the Mongolia Week series of posts for February 22-28.
The ancient capital of the Mongol Empire ruled by Genghis Khan, Karakorum (a.k.a. Har Horin or Kharkhorum) is now a historic site and grassland designated by UNESCO as part of the Orhon (Orkhon) Valley Cultural Landscape in central MONGOLIA, specifically in northern Övörhangay province. Karakorum's ancient grounds are located northeast of the city Karakorum (Harhorin) and northeast of Khangai Nuruu National Park. As shown below in the Google Maps embedded window, Erdene Zuu Monastery is a still-standing structure in ancient Karakorum. It is a Buddhist monastery built in the late 1500s. Finally, the region in which Karakorum is located is dominated by nomadic lifestyles. Ancient nomads like the ones living in Mongolia today helped create the Silk Road and other important trading routes in Central Asia. More information about the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape (↗) is found on the UNESCO World Heritage website.
The sparsely-populated east-central Asian country MONGOLIA has 21 provinces, which are called aymguud (plural) and aymag (singular). Before 1994, there were 18 until Darhan-Uul, Gövĭsümber, and Orkhon were created. Darhan-Uul (capital: Darhan) was created from central Selenge province and is completely surrounded by Selenge, Govĭsümber (capital: Choyr) formed from extreme northern Dornogovĭ province, and Orkhon (capital: Erdenet) formed out of eastern Bulgan province. The 18 original provinces are described in detail below.
● Arhangay — Along the Hangayn Mountains' northern fringe, this province is found in north-central Mongolia. Tsetserleg is the capital.
● Bayanhongor — On the other side of the Hangayn Mountains, Bayanhongor sits at the Gobi (Govĭ) Desert's western fringe in southern Mongolia. It is located north of China. Bayanhongor is the capital.
● Bayan-Ölgiy — Along the Altay Mountains, this province is Mongolia's westernmost province. It is located north of China and south of Russia. Ölgiy is the capital.
● Bulgan — East and northeast of Arhangay province, Bulgan is located in north-central Mongolia and south of Russia. Bulgan is the capital and largest city. Before Orkhon province was created, Erdenet was Bulgan's largest city based on population.
● Dornod — Being the easternmost province, Dornod is located among the Menengiyn Plain west of northeast China and south of Russia. The Wall of Genghis Khan travels through northern Dornod. Along the Kerulen River, Choybalsan is the capital.
● Dornogovĭ — North of China, this province in southeast Mongolia is the eastern extent for the Gobi Desert. Located in central Dornogovĭ, Buyant-Uhaa is the capital.
● Dundgovĭ — This province in east-central Mongolia is located west of Dornogovĭ and south of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's national capital. Its southern areas are part of the Gobi Desert. Mandalgovĭ is the capital.
● Dzavhan — In northwest Mongolia, Dzavhan is the westernmost extent of the Hangayn Mountains. It is located west of Arhangay and Bayanhongor provinces, and its capital is Uliastay.
● Govĭ-Altay — In southwest Mongolia and north of China, this province is the Altay Mountains' easternmost extent and is located west of Bayanhongor province and south of Dzavhan province. Altay is the capital.
● Hentiy — In northeast Mongolia south of Russia, Hentiy is west of Dornod province, north of Dornogovĭ province, and east of Ulaanbaatar. The Wall of Genghis Khan traverses through northeast Hentiy province. Öndörhaan is Hentiy's capital.
● Hovd — In western Mongolia among the Altai Mountains, Hovd is southeast of Bayan-Ölgiy, west of Govĭ-Altay, southwest of Dzavhan, and north of China. West of Har Us Lake, Dund-Us is Hovd's capital.
● Hövsgöl — This province is located in northern Mongolia, specifically north of Arhangay, northwest of Bulgan, northeast of Dzavhan and the Bulnayn mountain range, and south of Russia. Hövsgöl Lake is a vertical lake in northern Hövsgöl province. Its capital is Mörön — yep, the word "moron" but with a different pronunciation!
● Ömnögovĭ — In the heart of the Gobi Desert, this province is north of China in southern Mongolia. It is found east and southeast of Bayanhongor, south of Dundgovĭ, and west of Dornogovĭ. The Govĭ Altayn mountain range stretches across northwest Ömnögovĭ. Dalandzadgad is the capital.
● Övörhangay — Located in central Mongolia along the Gobi Desert's northern fringe, Övörhangay is south of Arhangay and Bulgan, east of Bayanhongor, west of Dundgovĭ, and north of Ömnögovĭ. Its capital is Arvayheer.
● Selenge — South of Russia in northern Mongolia, Selenge is east of Bulgan, west of Hentiy, and north of Ulaanbaatar. Its capital is Sühbaatar, the same name of another province as seen right below.
● Sühbaatar — West of northeast China in eastern Mongolia, Sühbaatar is found south of Dornod, northeast of Dornogovĭ, and east of Hentiy. The capital is Baruun-Urt.
● Töv — Completely surrounding the municipality of Ulaanbaatar, this province is located north-central Mongolia. It is southeast of Bulgan, west of Hentiy, northeast of Dornogovĭ, north of Dundgovĭ, and south of Selenge. Its capital is Dzuunmod.
● Uvs — In northwest Mongolia, Uvs is located northeast of Bayan-Ölgiy, north of Hovd, west of Dzavhan, and south of Russia. Uvs Lake in northern Uvs province is the largest lake is Mongolia's largest lake. The capital of Uvs province is Ulaangom.
The country that is the most sparsely populated country in the world has a low population density of 5 people per square mile and 1.9 people per square kilometer. That country is MONGOLIA, where the Gobi Desert encompasses most of the southern portion of the country. Mountain ranges include the Hangayn Mountains, Govĭ Altayn Mountains, and Altai Mountains.
Quite a few capitals previously had different names. The following is a list of many, definitely not all, of the capitals that had different names in the past — they are categorized by continent.
AFRICA
Bujumbura, BURUNDI's former capital (Gitega is the new capital since 2019), was called Usumbura until 1962.
N'Djamena, CHAD's capital, was called Fort Lamy until 1973.
Kinshasa, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO's capital, was called Léopoldville until 1966.
Banjul, the capital of GAMBIA, was named Bathurst until 1973.
Antananarivo, MADAGASCAR's capital, was named Tananarive until 1975.
Maputo, MOZAMBIQUE's capital, was named Lourenço Marques until Mozambique's independence in 1976.
Harare, ZIMBABWE's capital, was named Salisbury until 1982.
ASIA
Tbilisi, GEORGIA's capital, was known as Tpilisi (Georgian) or Tiflis (Russian) until 1936.
Jakarta, INDONESIA's highly-populated capital, was known as Sunda Kelapa, then Jayakata, then Batavia, then Djakarta from 1949 to 1972.
Tokyo, JAPAN's capital located on the island of Honshu, was previously named Edo until 1868.
Astana, KAZAKHSTAN's capital, was known as Tselinograd, then Aqmola.
Bishkek, KYRGYZSTAN's capital, was named Pishpek until 1926 and Frunze until 1991, the fall of the Soviet Union.
Ulaanbaatar, MONGOLIA's capital, was known as Ugra until 1924.
Dushanbe, TAJIKISTAN's capital, was called Dyushambe until 1929 and received the name Stalinagrad until 1961.
Ankara, TURKEY's capital, was called Angora until 1930.
Ashgabat, TURKMENISTAN's capital, was called Poltoratsk from 1919 until 1927.
EUROPE
Belgrade, SERBIA's capital, was known as Singidunum in ancient times.
Podgorica, MONTENEGRO's capital, was known as Birziminium before the 11th century, Ribnica during the Middle Ages, and Titograd from 1946 to 1992. The capital possessed the name Podgorica in 1326 until 1946, resuming in 1992.
SOUTH AMERICA
Sucre, one of two capitals of BOLIVIA and named in honor of Antonio José de Sucre, was called Chuquisaca until 1825.
Credit goes to the New Oxford American Dictionary, 2nd Edition, which conveniently listed former capital names.
The capital of MONGOLIA, located in Northern Asia, is Ulaanbaatar (Ulan Bator). Ulaanbaatar has a population of more than 1 million. To learn more about Mongolia, visit my Mongolia post!
● ● ● ● ● People and Places ● ● ● ● ● In Mongolia, there are slightly more than 2.9 million residents as of 2015. Almost 45% of all residents live in Ulaanbaatar (Ulan Bator), the capital city with a population larger than 1.3 million. With more details in the following post link, other towns and cities in Mongolia include Altay, Bayanhongor, Buyant-Uhaa, Erdenet, Mörön, and Onon. Mongolian (Halh) is the country's official and national language. About 95% of citizens are of Mongol ethnicity. Other spoken languages and ethnicities include Buriat, Darkhat, Kazakh, Turkish, and Tuvin (Tuvinians). Mandarin Chinese and Russian are other spoken languages, which makes sense given that Mongolia is situated between China and Russia.
● ● ● ● ● Land and Water Features ● ● ● ● ● The Altay (Altai) mountains dominate western Mongolia, while the Gobi (Govĭ) Desert stretches across southern Mongolia and into northern China. Altay is not the only mountain range, as evident in the mountain ranges of Mongolia post. They include the Bulnayn mountains in the northwest, Govĭ Altayn mountains in the south, and Hentiyn mountains in in the northeast. Being Mongolia's tallest mountain, Nayramadlin Orgil stands at 4,374 meters and 14,350 feet near the China-Mongolia border in the Altay mountain range. Two major rivers — Selenga and Yenisei — flow through northern Mongolia and are part of the world's fifth longest river system. The Angara, Selenga, and Yenisei rivers are part the longest river system flowing to the Arctic Ocean. Flowing past Ulaanbaatar, the Tuul River in north-central Mongolia is connected to the Orhon River, a tributary of the Selenga River. Northern Mongolia also boasts two major lakes: Hövsgöl and Uvs.
Sites of Interest
Situated in Dornod and Hentiy provinces in northeastern Mongolia, the 2,000-year-old Wall of Genghis Khan prevented animals belonging to Genghis Khan's son from escaping. Another historic structure with ties to Khan is Karakorum, an ancient site and the Mongol Empire's capital. Karakorum Ancient Site is northeast of present-day Karakorum (Kharkhorin) city.
More information and a new map were added on August 12th, 2015.
The Yenisei River (along with Angara & Selenga Rivers) flows for more than 3,400 miles, making Yenisei the 5th longest river in the world! It is also the largest river system to flow to the Arctic Ocean. The river system runs through the countries of MONGOLIA and RUSSIA. The capital of Mongolia is Ulaanbaatar, while the capital of Russia is the more well-known Moscow.
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