Mongolia

East Asia

Mongolia is a country in East Asia, home to 3.5 million people, with an area of 1,564,110 km². Its capital is Ulaanbaatar.

Capital: Ulaanbaatar
Population: 3.5 million
Area: 1,564,110 km²
Region: East Asia
Density: 2.2 / km²
Status: Sovereign state

Mongolia · East Asia · map loads on click

Population: UN World Population Prospects, 2024 revision. Area: CIA World Factbook.

What Mongolia is known for

Mongolia is best known for Gobi Desert, Terelj National Park and Khuvsgul Lake.

Mongolia is a landlocked country located in East Asia, bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east, and west. The country is known for its vast, rugged landscapes, including the Gobi Desert and the grassy steppes of the Mongolian Plateau. Mongolia has a rich cultural heritage, including traditional nomadic lifestyles and practices such as horsemanship and archery.

Mongolia at a glance

Language: Mongolian is the official language, but many Mongolians also speak Russian and English
Currency: Mongolian tögrög (MNT)
Religion: Tibetan Buddhism is the predominant religion in Mongolia, but there are also Muslim and Christian minorities
National dish: Buuz (steamed dumplings filled with meat and vegetables)
Climate: Mongolia has a continental climate with long, cold winters and short, warm summers
Main industries: Mining, including coal, copper, gold, and uranium; agriculture, including livestock herding and crop cultivation; and tourism
GDP: $15.7 billion (nominal, 2021 estimate)
Development: Mongolia is considered a developing country with a human development index (HDI) ranking of 115 out of 189 countries (2020)

Things to do in Mongolia

Some of the main tourist attractions in Mongolia include:

Gobi Desert a vast desert in southern Mongolia known for its unique landscapes, including sand dunes, canyons, and rock formations.
Terelj National Park a national park near Ulaanbaatar known for its stunning scenery, including rock formations, rivers, and forests.
Khuvsgul Lake a large, pristine lake in northern Mongolia known for its crystal-clear waters and surrounding mountains.
Erdene Zuu Monastery a historic Buddhist monastery in Kharkhorin, the ancient capital of Mongolia.
Orkhon Valley a scenic valley in central Mongolia that is home to several important historical sites, including ancient ruins and rock carvings.
Flaming Cliffs a famous paleontological site in the Gobi Desert where many dinosaur fossils have been discovered.
Ulaanbaatar the capital and largest city of Mongolia, known for its museums, temples, and traditional markets.

These are just a few examples of the many attractions that Mongolia has to offer. The country is also known for its unique culture and traditions, including the Naadam Festival, a celebration of Mongolian sports and culture that takes place every July.

Mongolia in pictures

Mongolia on video

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Mongolia compared with its neighbours

How it sits against the other countries of East Asia.

Country	Population	Area	Capital
Japan	123.7 million	377,975 km²	Tokyo
South Korea	51.7 million	100,210 km²	Seoul
North Korea	26.5 million	120,540 km²	Pyongyang
Mongolia	3.5 million	1,564,110 km²	Ulaanbaatar