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Area: 1,566,000 sq km (610,740 sq mi)
Population: 2.6 million
People: Khalkh Mongols (86%), Kazaks (2%), Chinese (2%), Russian (2%), about a dozen other ethnic groups
Languages: Mongolian, Turkic, Russian, Chinese
Religions: Tibetan Buddhism, Muslim, Shamanism
Government: Communist-Republic
President: Natsagiyn Bagabandi
Prime Minister: Nambaryn Enkhbayar

GDP: US$1 billion
GDP per head: US$390
Annual growth: 3.5%
Inflation: 44%
Major industries: Copper, livestock, cashmere, wool
Major trading partners: Russia, China, Japan, US,

Events

The biggest event of the year is the Naadam Festival, known as the eriyn gurvan naadam, after the three 'manly sports' of wrestling, archery and horse racing. The festival is held all over the country, normally between 11 and 13 July, the anniversary of the 1921 Mongolian Revolution. The major events take place during the first two days. Tsagaan Sar (White Month) is the start of the lunar new year in January or February. After months of enduring a bitter winter, Mongolians celebrate over three days with a lot of food, liquor and singing.

Traveling Guidelines

Visas: Entry and exit visas are required of all nationalities. They may be obtained at the airport at a cost of around US$50 and must be accompanied by an invitation or sponsorship from a Mongolian company, a resident foreigner, or an organised tour company. Some consulates and embassies interpret the regulations more liberally than others. Visitors must be registered at the police department 10 days after arrival and checked out of the registry upon departure.
Health risks: Brucellosis, cholera, meningococcal meningitis, bubonic plague
Time: UTC/GMT plus 8 hours; UTC/GMT plus 7 hours in the western provinces of Bayan-Ölgii, Uvs and Khovd
Electricity: 220V, 50Hz
Weights & measures: Metric

Ideal Time to visit

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.