| Mongolia
The name 'Mongolia' has always stirred up visions of the untamed
- Genghis Khan, camels wandering the Gobi Desert and wild horses
galloping across the steppes. Even today, outside of Ulaan Baatar
you may get the feeling you've stepped into another century rather
than another country.
Full country name: Mongolia
Area: 1.56 million sq km
Population: 2.6 million
People: Khalkh Mongols (86%), Kazaks (2%),
Chinese (2%), Russian (2%), about a dozen other ethnic groups
Language: Mongolian, Russian, Chinese
Religion: Tibetan Buddhism, Muslim, Shamanism
Government: parliamentary
When To Go:
The travel season is typically from May to early October, though
Ulaan Baatar can be visited any time of year if you can tolerate
the bitter cold. Early
July has the best weather for the northern part of the country and is also
the time to celebrate Mongolia's Naadam Festival. Be aware, though, that this
is also when Ulaan Baatar's inadequate accommodation and creaky transport is
stretched to the breaking point. June and September are both pleasant times
to visit, and attract fewer visitors. The best months to visit the Gobi Desert
and not get toasted are September and October. Be aware that between mid-October
and mid-May sudden snowstorms and extreme cold can ground flights, block roads
and cause the country's transport system to stall.
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