In Northern Asian, vast semi desert and desert plains, grassy steppe, mountains in west and southwest; Gobi Desert in south-central. 1,564,116km2 (slightly < AK); 0.8% arable.
Capital Ulaanbaatar (Pop: 619,000)
Population 3M (2/ km2)
Life expectancy 67 years
HIV/AIDS >0.1%
Literacy 98%
Lang(s) Khalkha Mongol (90%), Turkic, Russian
Religions Buddhist Lamaist 50%, None 40%, Shamanist and Christian 6%, Muslim 4%
Ethnic Groups Mongol (Mostly Khalkha) 95%, Turkic (mostly Kazakh) 5%
Gov’t Mixed parliamentary/presidential
GDP/cap $3,300
PCVs 1991-present; Education, health & HIV/AIDS, business development, youth (Volunteers in country: 96; total to date (TTD): 660)
Nat’l holiday Independence Day / Revolution Day, 11 July (1921)
Focus word for 2010 - “Justice”
Shudraga yos (SHOO-DRUG YOH-SS)Books
Mongolia: Travels in the Untamed Landby Jasper Becker
Book Description
For seventy years, it was a forbidden country, shrouded in darkness. Now witness the birth of one of the world’s youngest democracies as well as the deep and tragic impact of the rules of Mao and Stalin on the Mongolian people.
The author witnesses the birth of one of the world’s youngest democracies and its tragic legacy of communism.
Kids' Books
Horse Song: The Naadam of Mongoliaby Lewin, Ted and Betsy Lewin
Lee & low Books Inc.,
New York, NY 2008
Ages 7 to11.
Music
Mongolia: Shamans and LamasVarious Artists
Ocora
Films
The Cave of the Yellow Dog (Byambasuren Davaa)Recipes
Buuz/Small Filled Pockets, SteamedAirag/Fermented Mare’s Milk
