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Interesting Facts About Mongolia

Chaitrali Datar
A landlocked country in East Asia, Mongolia is sandwiched between China to the South and Russia to the North.
It has an interesting topography with fertile land almost absent. However, it has vast stretches of grass steppe, mountains and deserts.
Interesting Facts
History
  • The name 'Mongolia' originates from a small tribe whose leader was Genghis Khan.
  • He started a conquest in 13th century to capture the empire stretching from Asia to Europe to the Black Sea and the Himalayas.
  • After Khan's demise, the empire was divided into powerful Mongol states, but broke apart in 14th century.
  • Later, the Mongols retired to their original steppe homelands and came under Chinese rule.
Mongolia won its independence in 1921 with the Soviet backing.
People
The people of Mongolia are called the 'Khalka', which constitute around four-fifth of the population.
Most of them are natives from China, Japan and the interiors of Asia.
Mongolia is also essentially a land of the Nomads and it has a lifestyle which runs since generations.
Geography
  • Mongolia is the 18th largest country in the world.
  • It is situated largely on mountains and plateaus and is one of the highest elevated countries in the world.
  • It receives only 4 inches rainfall per year!
  • It is home to the famous Gobi desert, which is the largest in Asia and the 5th largest in the world.
  • The Gobi is filled with marine fossils.
  • The first ever dinosaur egg was found in the Gobi desert!
Despite its landlocked status, it is home to many salt lakes.
Animals
Mongolia is home to the snow-leopard. They are found in the Khorkh mountains.
Mongolia has the second largest population of snow leopards after China.
  • Mongolia is also home to the two humped camel.
  • It survives in temperature ranging from minus to fifty degree Celsius!
It is smaller than the Arabian camel and is called as Bactrian camels colloquially.
The Kazakh nomadic tribe keeps 'eagles' as pets and takes them along for their hunting expeditions.
Culture and Arts
  • One of the biggest holidays of the year is the Nadaam festival.
  • It is a sporting event which includes Mongolian wrestling, horse racing, archery.
  • Mongolian guest culture is very efficient.
  • They normally greet their guests with a bowl of 'airaag', which is fermented horse milk.
  • It is considered disrespectful to decline this airaag.
Miscellaneous Facts about Mongolia
  • Mongolia is one of the least populated country in the world.
  • Its capital is Ulaanbaatar and it is the world's coldest capital any country has.
  • Ulaanbaatar means 'red hero'.
  • Mongolia is home to the world oldest national Park.
  • Legend has it that Mongolian horsemen first invented the ice cream.
  • Then slowly it made its way to China, Marco Polo and then to Italy.
  • While walking down a street in Mongolia, if you accidentally bump into a person, the other person will reach out for your hand for a handshake!
  • Go ahead, shake your hand and apologize.
So, when are you planning to visit this mystical country?