Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked sovereign state in East Asia between China and Russia. Its area is roughly equivalent with the historical territory of Outer Mongolia. With only 1.7 people per km², Mongolia has the lowest population density among all independent countries in the world, and it is this vast and majestic emptiness that is bringing the traveller, as it does, into a close communion with nature and its nomadic inhabitants. Ulaanbaatar or Ulan Bator is Mongolia's capital and largest city. The city is not part of any aimag (province), and its population as of 2015 was over 1.4 million; almost half of the country's total population. The city was founded in 1639 as a nomadic Buddhist monastic centre. In 1778, it settled permanently at its present location, the junction of the Tuul and Selbe rivers. The Mongolian capital elicits as much shock as it does excitement.
Mongolia’s climate can be described as highly continental dominated climate with warm summers and long, dry and very cold winters. Known as "the land of blue sky", Mongolia is a very sunny country and has usually about 250 sunny days a year. The country has the world's most typical continental climate with extreme diurnal and annual ranges of temperature. Average temperature in most of the country is below zero from November to March and close to it in April and October. Winter nights of -40°C are common most years (minimum recorded -55°C at lake Uvs). Summer extremes reach as high as +40°C in the Gobi Desert and +33°C in the capital Ulaanbaatar. Monthly temperature variations of +45°C and more are not uncommon in many regions of Mongolia.
Lightweight clothes are advised for the summer months, Medium- to heavyweight is necessary during the winter. Be prepared for very low temperatures, -30°C and lower! Wherever you go, take a sweater for cool evenings, the difference between maxima and minima can vary greatly.
The climate of Mongolia can be classified as Dwc climate; a snow climate with dry winters, less than four months above 10°C and the coldest month lower than -3°C. The southern parts and the Gobi Desert have a BWk climate, a cold desert climate with an annual average temperature lower than 18°C.
The Culture of Mongolia has been heavily influenced by the Mongol nomadic way of life. Other important influences are from Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism, and from China. Since the 20th century, Russian and, via Russia, European cultures have had a strong effect on Mongolia.
Since ancient times Tengrism was the dominant belief system of the Mongols and still retains significant importance in their mythology. During the era of the Great Khan's, Mongolia practiced freedom of worship and is still a defining element of the Mongol character. In the 17th century, Tibetan Buddhism became the dominant religion in Mongolia. Traditional Shamanism was, except in some remote regions, suppressed and marginalized. On the other hand, a number of shamanic practices, like voodoo worshiping, were incorporated into Buddhist liturgy.
The Mongolian cuisine is primarily based on meat and spices, with some regional variations. The most common meat is mutton, supplemented in the desert south by camel meat, and in the northern mountains by beef (including yak). Dairy products are made from mare's milk (Airag), from cattle, yaks, and camels (e.g. clotted cream). Popular dishes include buuz (a type of meat dumpling), khuushuur (a meat pastry), khorkhog (a meat stew, usually a special meal for guests), and boortsog (a sweet biscuit). The meal commonly known as Mongolian barbecue.
