Mongólia

A Mongolian boy keeps an eye on a horse at his family's winter home. Horses remain an essential part of life on the nation's vast steppes.
Photograph by David Edwards

Profile
Mongolia is a large landlocked country between two larger countries—Russia and China. Located on mountains and plateaus, it is one of the world's highest countries, with an average elevation of 1,580 meters (5,180 feet). Mongolia suffers temperature extremes, and southern Mongolia is dominated by the Gobi desert. Genghis Khan's Mongol horsemen conquered much of Asia and Europe during the 13th century. Mongolia became a communist country in 1924, but in 1990 multiparty elections were held. Poverty is a major concern, but copper, cashmere, and gold exports help the economy.ECONOMYIndustry: construction materials, mining, oil, food and beverages, processing of animal products.Agriculture: wheat, barley, potatoes, forage crops; sheep.Exports: copper, gold, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool, hides. Text source: National Geographic Atlas of the World, Eighth Edition, 2004

Population 2,646,000
Capital Ulaanbaatar; 812,000
Area 1,564,116 square kilometers (603,909 square miles)
Language Khalkha Mongol, Turkic, Russian
Religion Tibetan Buddhist, Lamaism
Currencytogrog/tugrik
Life Expectancy 65
GDP per CapitaU.S. $1,900
Literacy Percent 99