Mongolia
Mongolia (i/mɒŋˈɡoʊliə/; Mongolian: Монгол улс (help·info), literally means Mongol country/nation) is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and the People's Republic of China to the south, east as well as west. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest city, is home to about 45% of the population.
The area of what is now Mongolia has been ruled by various nomadic empires, including the Xiongnu, the Xianbei, the Rouran, the Gökturks and others although the Mongol Empire was founded by Genghis Khan in 1206. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Mongolia came under the influence of Tibetan Buddhism. At the end of the 17th century, most of Mongolia had been incorporated into the area ruled by the Qing Dynasty. During the collapse of the Qing Dynasty in 1911, Mongolia declared independence, but had to struggle until 1921 to firmly establish de facto independence from the Republic of China, and until 1945 to gain international recognition. As a consequence, it came under strong Russian and Soviet influence; and in 1924, the Mongolian People's Republic was declared. After the breakdown of communist regimes in Eastern Europe in late 1989, Mongolia saw its own Democratic Revolution in early 1990, which led to a multi-party system, a new constitution in 1992, and transition to a market economy.
At 600,000 sq mi, Mongolia is the 19th largest and the most sparsely populated independent country in the world, with a population of around 6 million people with over half living in the capital city. Approximately 30% of the population are nomadic or semi-nomadic with the predominant religion being Tibetan Buddhism. About 20% of the population live on less than US$1.25 per day.
Also see: http://suchit.net/photo/mongolia_2009/index.htm
Read MoreThe area of what is now Mongolia has been ruled by various nomadic empires, including the Xiongnu, the Xianbei, the Rouran, the Gökturks and others although the Mongol Empire was founded by Genghis Khan in 1206. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Mongolia came under the influence of Tibetan Buddhism. At the end of the 17th century, most of Mongolia had been incorporated into the area ruled by the Qing Dynasty. During the collapse of the Qing Dynasty in 1911, Mongolia declared independence, but had to struggle until 1921 to firmly establish de facto independence from the Republic of China, and until 1945 to gain international recognition. As a consequence, it came under strong Russian and Soviet influence; and in 1924, the Mongolian People's Republic was declared. After the breakdown of communist regimes in Eastern Europe in late 1989, Mongolia saw its own Democratic Revolution in early 1990, which led to a multi-party system, a new constitution in 1992, and transition to a market economy.
At 600,000 sq mi, Mongolia is the 19th largest and the most sparsely populated independent country in the world, with a population of around 6 million people with over half living in the capital city. Approximately 30% of the population are nomadic or semi-nomadic with the predominant religion being Tibetan Buddhism. About 20% of the population live on less than US$1.25 per day.
Also see: http://suchit.net/photo/mongolia_2009/index.htm
Students in a Mongolian School in Ulaan Baator (UB), Mongolia.
