Facts about Mongolia

• Population: 2.8 million
• Area: 1,566,000 sq km (4 times bigger than France).
• Land boundaries: 8,158 km.
• ltitude: Average altitude is 1,580m above sea-level. Lowest point is Huiten Peak at Altai Yavan Bogd (4,374m); lowest point is Huh Nuur Depression (560m).
• Terrain: Mountain steppes in central and northern regions, vast semi-desert and desert plains, high mountains in west and Gobi Desert in the south.
• People: Khalkha Mongols (86%), over 20 smaller Mongolian ethnic groups and Kazaks (6%).
• Languages: Mongolian, Kazakh, Russian, Chinese. English is widely spoken in the Ulaanbaatar.
• Religions: Tibetan Buddhism, Muslim, Christian and Shamanism.
• Climate: Relatively dry with extreme continental temperatures. Average summer temperature +20'C, average winter temperature -23'C, average rainfall 200-220 mm. Winter lasts from November to late April, Spring May through June, Summer from July through to September.
• Political system: Parliamentary republic. State Great Khural (Parliament), with 76 members elected for four years. The last election was held in July, 2004. President elected for four years. Present President was elected in 2005. Prime Minister appointed by State Great Khural for four years.
• Judicial system: Mongolian judicial system consists of Constitutional Court , Supreme Court, Aimag and capital city courts, soum and district courts.
• State structure: Mongolia is a unitary state and divided administratively into Aimags (21) and a capital city; Aimags are subdivided into soums; soums into bags; and a capital city into districts; districts into khoroos.
• National currency: Tugrug (MNT), USD1 equals approx. 1200 tugrugs as of January, 2007
• Economy About a third of GDP is generated by mining industry based mainly on copper, gold, fluor spar and coal. Other major sectors are animal husbandry, light industries and tourism.
• Public holidays: December 31- January 1 - New Year 3 days in January/February - Mongolian New Year (Tsagaan Sar), June 1 - Mother and Child day, July 11-13 - National Holiday (Naadam).
• Time: Add 8 hours to Greenwich Mean Time
• Normal working hours: 09.00-13.00 and 14.00-18.00
• Electric current: 220 volts/50 HZ
• Weight and measures: Metric System
• Visa arrangements: Visa shall be issued by Mongolia Embassies and Diplomatic Missions as well as Honorary consuls of Mongolia , or can be obtained at the airport at a cost of US$53 but must be accompanied by an invitation by Tiara Resort.