Mongolia Facts

by countryaah · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated April 25, 2020

Mongolia, a state in inner Asia between the Russian Federation in the north and China in the south; 1.6 million km², 3.2 million residents (2019).Mongolia was formerly sometimes called Outer Mongolia (unlike Inner Mongolia, an autonomous region of northern China). Administratively, Mongolia consists of three urban areas and 18 provinces. The capital is Ulaanbaatar (1.4 million residents, 2019).

Country facts

Boggd Najramdach Mongol Ard Uls / Mongolia
Country abbreviation: MN
Area: 1.6 million km²
Population (2019): 3.2 million residents
Capital: Ulaanbaatar
Main language: Mongolian
State: Republic
Head of State: Chaltmaagijn Battulga (President)
Head of Government: Uchnaagijn Chürelsüch
Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 4,104
GNI per capita (2018): US $ 3,580
Coin unit: 1 tea tree = 100 polygon
Currency code: MNT
Country Dialing (Telephony): 976
Internet domain name: mn
Time difference compared to Sweden: +7 to +9
National Day: July 11 (Independence Day, 1921)

Nature

Land use: forest (8%), agricultural land (1%), pasture land (75%), other (16%)
Highest mountain: Youyi Feng (4,374 m asl)

Population

Population density (2019): 2 residents per km²
Natural population growth (2019): 1.9%; birthrate 25 ‰, deathrate 6 ‰
Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (31%), 15-64 (65%), 65- (4%)
Life expectancy (2019): men 66 years, women 76 years
Infant mortality (2019): 13 per 1,000 live births
Population forecast 2050: 4 million residents
HDI (2017): 0.741 (place 92 of 189)
Urbanization rate (2019): 68%
Most populous cities (2019): Ulaanbaatar (1.4 million residents), Erdenet (99,500), Darchan (84,700)

Business

Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (12%), industry (38%), service (50%)
Exports (2017): US $ 5,834 million
Main export products: minerals, housing, clothing
Main exporting countries: China, United Kingdom
Imports (2017): US $ 4 345 million
Main import products: machinery, fuel, means of transport
Main importing countries: China, Russian Federation, Japan
Railway network (2017): 1 800 km

In western Mongolia, the coniferous forests of the Altaj and Changaj mountain ranges, and in the south the country consists of a wavy high plateau with steppe and desert. The river Selenge flows up into the mountains to the north and flows into Lake Baikal on the Russian Federation. Some minor rivers flow into shallow lakes within the northwest highlands, but most of the country lacks drainage. Mongolia has a large number of extinguished volcanoes as well as hot springs. The country has a pronounced continental climate with large temperature differences during the year and during the day as well as little rainfall.

The constitution prescribes a parliament, which is elected for four years. The president, who is elected for four years, has limited powers of power. The country was declared an independent republic in 1924.

Traditionally nomadic livestock management has been Mongolia’s most dominant industry, but since the 1950s a more diverse economy has emerged. In the cities, modern monetary economy prevails, while the rural population relies on self-management and barter. The mining industry is the country’s most important export industry. The economically most important agricultural product is cashmere wool; the country accounts for one third of the world’s production. Drought, floods, winter cold and huge amounts of snow in 2000/01 and 2009/10 meant that a large part of the population needed emergency assistance and the country received international assistance.