MONGOLIA
Capital | Ulaanbaatar
Population | 3,041,142 (July 2009 est.)
Area | 1,564,116 sq km (slightly smaller than Alaska)
Official language | Khalkha Mongol
Holidays | Independence Revolution Day, 11 July (1921)
Currency | togrog/tugriks (MNT)
Time Zone | UTC+8
Best time to visit | May to October to avoid the cold
Conncting with the Culture| Exploring the museums and monasteries of Ulaan Baatar, which offer a fascinating glimpse into the culture of pre-Soviet Mongolia. Riding a horse along the Steppes. Camping out under the stars in the Gobi Desert. Visiting a ger- the large white felt tents symbolic of Mongolia’s nomadic culture. Fishing in the vast beautiful lake Khovsgol Nuur, with water so pure you can drink it.
Read | The Secret History of the Mongols: recording the life and deeds of Genghis Khan
Listen | Spirit of the Steppes: Throat Singing from Tuva and Mongolia, featuring khoomi, the unique vocal artform with no analogue in the West
Watch | The Story of the Weeping Camel, about a camel who abandons her calf- the surprise hit of film festivals in 2004
Eat | mutton: mutton with noodles, mutton with rice, or mutton disguised as something else
Drink | airag, fermented mare’s milk, or suutei tsai, salty tea
In a word | Za (a catch-all term said at the end of a statement)
Characteristics| Ghengis Khan; savage hordes; gers; horses; archery; barbecues and hotpots; scantily clad wrestlers; endless plains
Surprises | No one was more surprised than the Mongolians when the Soviet Union collapsed, leaving them without an international patron, and spactacularly broke.