Official Name: Mongol Uls
Territory: 1,565,000 sq km
Population: 3,122,523 (2016 December 1st)
Density: 1.99 person per sq km
Climate: Continental, warm rainy summers and extremely cold winters. Sharp seasonal fluctuations and variations. Great diurnal temperature changes.
Terrain: Mountains (40% of the territory) and rolling plateaus with vast semi desert zone in the south (Gobi). Average altitude: 1580 m Highest peak (in the Altai): 4374 m Lowest point (in the east): 532 m
Regions: 21 aimags (provinces)
Capital: Ulaanbaatar Population: 1,345,000
Economy: Traditionally based on breeding livestock and agriculture, mining (copper, gold, coal and others)
Total livestock population: 51.98 million (as of the closing result of 2014) Sheep: 23214 thousand Goats: 22008 thousand Cattle: 3413 thousand Horses: 2995 thousand Camels: 349 thousand
Religions: Buddhism 94%, Muslim, Shamanism and Christian
Language: Mongolian
Most spoken foreign languages: Russian, English, German, Japanese and Korean.
Time: +8 hours to GMT. +1 daylight saving time.
Currency: Tugrik (MNT) Meronym: Mungu. But these coins are not in circulation as currency any longer, as their value is hundredth fraction of one tugrik. As of the September 2015 forex rate was:
| Foreign Currency | Mongolian Tugriks |
|---|---|
| USD1 | MNT 2490.34 |
| EUR1 | MNT 2599.42 |
| GBP1 | MNT 3078.93 |
| JPY1 | MNT 21.17 |
| CNY1 | MNT 358.50 |
| RUB1 | MNT 40.96 |
No limit on foreign currency. Exchanging bureaus are at most hotels. Major foreign currencies, credit cards, and traveller's cheques are accepted (mainly American Express, Visa, JCB, Master Card, and Diners Club).
Electric current: The standard voltage is 220 volts/50Hz. Sockets require a two-pin plug or an adapter.
Communications: International telephones are available in hotels. All networks are operated by Mobicom, Unitel, Skytel and G-Mobile. The network covers the capital and all the biggest towns of provinces. Mobicom also offers the Roaming service. But it's suggested to check the comptability and agreement on Roaming with your home service operator and Mobicom. Available rent of satellite mobile phones. Internet access is available in Ulaanbaatar at business centres (often located in hotels), Internet cafes and at the telephone exchange on province centres. ISPs include Univision, Skymedia, Railcom Bodicomputers, MagicNet, Mobinet, Erdemnet, Sky C&C, Citinet and Micom etc.
Food: Mongolian food is beef, mutton, dairy products, pasta, rice and seasonal fruits and vegetable. A variety of restaurants in Ulaanbaatar offer traditional Mongolian food as well as European and Asian cuisine.
| Holiday Name | Date |
|---|---|
| New year | January 1 |
| Constitutional Day | January 13 |
| Mongolian New year | 3 days between (Tsagaan sar) the end of January and early March (It changes every year according to the lunar calendar) |
| International Women’s Day | March 8 |
| Mother and Children’s Day | June 1 |
| National Holiday (Naadam) | July 11,12,13 |
| Genghis Khan’s birthday | First day of the first winter month of the year |
| National Freedom and Independence Day | December 29 |
Government offices open from Monday to Friday; Municipal offices from 8 am to 5 pm and the rest from 9 am to 6 pm