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Places in News: Mongolia
Context: India likely to get coking coal from Mongolia on Trial basis in July.
Overview of The Country:
- Mongolia, located in north-central Asia, is a landlocked country (Russia to the north and China to the south).
- Capital: Ulaanbaatar (Ulan Bator).
- Form of Government: Parliamentary.
- Languages: Khalkha Mongol (official), Turkic, Russian.
- Climate:
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- Type: Marked continental climate.
- Seasons: Long, cold winters and short, cool-to-hot summers.
- Mountain Chains: Mongolian Altai, Khangai, Khentii, and Gobi Altai.
- Plateau: Extensive upland plateau across southern and eastern Mongolia.
- Historical and Cultural Significance:
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- History: Long prehistory and a significant historical legacy, including the Mongol Empire led by Genghis Khan.
- Independence: Achieved from Qing (Manchu) China in 1911/12, leading to the establishment of the Mongolian People’s Republic in 1924.
- Natural Resources and Land Use:
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- Pasturelands: Covering three-fourths of Mongolia’s area, supporting large herds of grazing livestock.
- Forests and Deserts: Remaining land divided equally between forests and barren deserts, with minimal agricultural land.
- Hydrology:
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- Rivers: Include the Orkhon, Selenge, and Kherlen, with northern rivers flowing to the Arctic Ocean and eastern rivers to the Pacific.
- Lakes: Various lakes, including such as Lake Khövsgöl and Lake Uvs.
- Seismic Activity: prone to earthquakes, though their impact is limited due to low population density.
Facts about Mongolia:
- Mongolia is known as the “Land of Blue Sky” due to its vast, clear skies.
- Gobi Desert: It is the second largest desert in Asia and the sixth largest in the world.
- Family Size: The average Mongolian woman has four children. Women with five or more children are honoured with the title of “honoured mothers.”
- Approximately 30% of Mongolians are classified as nomads.
