2007 Edition

Administrative divisions

21 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag) and 1 municipality* (singular - hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan, Darhan-Uul, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan, Govi-Altay, Govisumber, Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Orhon, Ovorhangay, Selenge, Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs

Age structure

0-14 years: 27.9% (male 402,448/female 387,059) 15-64 years: 68.4% (male 967,546/female 969,389) 65 years and over: 3.7% (male 45,859/female 59,923) (2006 est.)

Agriculture - products

wheat, barley, vegetables, forage crops; sheep, goats, cattle, camels, horses

Airports

44 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)

total

12

Airports - with unpaved runways

over 3,047 m

2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 2

total

32

under 914 m

1 (2006)

Area

total

1,564,116 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Alaska

Background

The Mongols gained fame in the 13th century when under Chinggis KHAN they conquered a huge Eurasian empire. After his death the empire was divided into several powerful Mongol states, but these broke apart in the 14th century. The Mongols eventually retired to their original steppe homelands and later came under Chinese rule. Mongolia won its independence in 1921 with Soviet backing. A Communist regime was installed in 1924. The ex-Communist Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) won elections in 1990 and 1992, but was defeated by the Democratic Union Coalition (DUC) in the 1996 parliamentary election. Since then, parliamentary elections returned the MPRP overwhelmingly to power in 2000 and produced a coalition government in 2004. Geography Mongolia

Birth rate

21.59 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$651 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.)

revenues

$702 million

Capital

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Saturday in March; ends last Saturday in September

geographic coordinates

47 55 N, 106 53 E

name

Ulaanbaatar

time difference

UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Climate

desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges)

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Constitution

12 February 1992

Country name

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Mongolia

former

Outer Mongolia

local long form

none

local short form

Mongol Uls

Currency (code)

togrog/tugrik (MNT)

Currency code

MNT

Death rate

6.95 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Debt - external

$1.36 billion (2004)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Mark C. MINTON

embassy

Big Ring Road, 11th Micro Region, Ulaanbaatar

mailing address

PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002; P.O. Box 1021, Ulaanbaatar-13

telephone

[976] (11) 329095

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007

chief of mission

Ambassador Ravdan BOLD

telephone

[1] (202) 333-7117

Disputes - international

none This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007

Distribution of family income - Gini index

44 (1998)

Economic aid - recipient

$215 million (2003)

Economy - overview

Economic activity in Mongolia has traditionally been based on herding and agriculture. Mongolia has extensive mineral deposits. Copper, coal, molybdenum, tin, tungsten and gold account for a large part of industrial production. Soviet assistance, at its height one-third of GDP, disappeared almost overnight in 1990 and 1991 at the time of the dismantlement of the USSR. The following decade saw Mongolia endure both deep recession due to political inaction and natural disasters, as well as economic growth because of reform-embracing, free-market economics and extensive privatization of the formerly state-run economy. Severe winters and summer droughts in 2000-2002 resulted in massive livestock die-off and zero or negative GDP growth. This was compounded by falling prices for Mongolia's primary sector exports and widespread opposition to privatization. Growth was 10.6% in 2004, 5.5% in 2005, and 7.5% in 2006, largely because of high copper prices and new gold production. Mongolia's economy continues to be heavily influenced by its neighbors. For example, Mongolia purchases 80% of its petroleum products and a substantial amount of electric power from Russia, leaving it vulnerable to price increases. China is Mongolia's chief export partner and a main source of the "shadow" or "grey" economy. The World Bank and other international financial institutions estimate the grey economy to be at least equal to that of the official economy, but the former's actual size is difficult to calculate since the money does not pass through the hands of tax authorities or the banking sector. Remittances from Mongolians working abroad both legally and illegally are sizeable, and money laundering is a growing concern. Mongolia settled its $11 billion debt with Russia at the end of 2003 on favorable terms. Mongolia, which joined the World Trade Organization in 1997, seeks to expand its participation and integration into Asian regional economic and trade regimes.

Electricity - consumption

3.37 billion kWh (2005 est.)

Electricity - exports

18 million kWh (2005 est.)

Electricity - imports

130 million kWh (2005 est.)

Electricity - production

3.24 billion kWh (2005 est.)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

100%

hydro

0%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Nayramadlin Orgil (Huyten Orgil) 4,374 m

lowest point

Hoh Nuur 518 m

Environment - current issues

limited natural fresh water resources in some areas; the policies of former Communist regimes promoted rapid urbanization and industrial growth that had negative effects on the environment; the burning of soft coal in power plants and the lack of enforcement of environmental laws severely polluted the air in Ulaanbaatar; deforestation, overgrazing, and the converting of virgin land to agricultural production increased soil erosion from wind and rain; desertification and mining activities had a deleterious effect on the environment

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Ethnic groups

Mongol (mostly Khalkha) 94.9%, Turkic (mostly Kazakh) 5%, other (including Chinese and Russian) 0.1% (2000)

Exchange rates

togrogs/tugriks per US dollar - 1,187.17 (2005), 1,185.3 (2004), 1,146.5 (2003), 1,110.3 (2002)

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet nominated by the prime minister in consultation with the president and confirmed by the State Great Hural (parliament)

chief of state

President Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR (since 24 June 2005)

election results

Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR elected president; percent of vote - Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR (MPRP) 53.44%, Mendsaikhanin ENKHSAIKHAN (DP) 20.05%, Bazarsadyn JARGALSAIKHAN (MRP) 13.92%, Badarchyn ERDENEBAT (M-MNSDP) 12.59%; Miegombyn ENKHBOLD elected prime minister by the State Great Hural 56 to 10

elections

presidential candidates nominated by political parties represented in State Great Hural and elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 22 May 2005 (next to be held in May 2009); following legislative elections, leader of majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by State Great Hural

head of government

Prime Minister Miegombyn ENKHBOLD (since 25 January 2006); Deputy Prime Minister Mendsaikhan ENKHSAIKHAN (since 28 January 2006)

Exports

$852 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities

copper, apparel, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool, hides, fluorspar, other nonferrous metals

Exports - partners

China 48.1%, US 14.2%, Canada 11.6%, UK 8.3%, South Korea 6.2% (2005)

FAX

[1] (202) 298-9227

[976] (11) 320776

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Mongolia

Flag description

three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and red; centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national emblem ("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang symbol) Economy Mongolia

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

20.6%

industry

21.4%

services

58% (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,000 (2006 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

7.5% according to official estimate (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.54 billion (2006 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$5.781 billion (2006 est.)

Geographic coordinates

46 00 N, 105 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia People Mongolia

Government type

mixed parliamentary/presidential

Heliports

2 (2006)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 200 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

less than 500 (2003 est)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

37% (1995)

lowest 10%

2.1%

Imports

$1.011 billion c.i.f. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, fuel, cars, food products, industrial consumer goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, tea

Imports - partners

Russia 34.5%, China 27.4%, Japan 7.1%, South Korea 5.3% (2005)

Independence

11 July 1921 (from China)

Industrial production growth rate

4.1% (2002 est.)

Industries

construction and construction materials; mining (coal, copper, molybdenum, fluorspar, tin, tungsten, and gold); oil; food and beverages; processing of animal products, cashmere and natural fiber manufacturing

Infant mortality rate

female

48.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

male

55.51 deaths/1,000 live births

total

52.12 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

9.5% (2005 est.)

International organization participation

ARF, AsDB, CP, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, OSCE (partner), SCO (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Internet country code

.mn

Internet hosts

272 (2006)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

5 (2001)

Internet users

268,300 (2005) Transportation Mongolia

Irrigated land

840 sq km (2003)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (serves as appeals court for people's and provincial courts but rarely overturns verdicts of lower courts; judges are nominated by the General Council of Courts and approved by the president)

Labor force

1.488 million (2003)

Labor force - by occupation

herding/agriculture 42%, mining 42%, manufacturing 6%, trade 4%, services 29%, public sector 6% (2003)

Land boundaries

border countries

China 4,677 km, Russia 3,543 km

total

8,220 km

Land use

arable land

0.76%

other

99.24% (2005)

permanent crops

0%

Languages

Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian (1999)

Legal system

blend of Soviet, German, and US systems that combine "continental" or "civil" code and case-precedent; constitution ambiguous on judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral State Great Hural 76 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms

election results

percent of vote by party - MPRP 48.78%, MDC 44.8%, independents 3.5%, Republican Party 1.5%, others 1.42%; seats by party - MPRP 36, MDC 34, others 4; note - following June 2004 election MDC collapsed; note - seats by party as of 1 December 2005 - MPRP 38, DP 25, M-MNSDP 6, CWRP 2, MRP 1, PP 1, independents 3

elections

last held 27 June 2004 (next to be held in June 2008)

Life expectancy at birth

female

67.25 years (2006 est.)

male

62.64 years

total population

64.89 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

97.5% (2002) Government Mongolia

male

98%

total population

97.8%

Location

Northern Asia, between China and Russia

Manpower available for military service

females age 18-49

734,679 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

736,182

Manpower fit for military service

females age 18-49

607,918 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

570,435

Manpower reaching military service age annually

females age 18-49

34,251 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

34,674

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Median age

female

25 years (2006 est.)

male

24.3 years

total

24.6 years

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 8, cargo 49, passenger/cargo 1, roll on/roll off 3

foreign-owned

49 (China 4, Japan 1, North Korea 3, Lebanon 1, Malaysia 1, Russia 13, Singapore 10, Syria 1, Thailand 1, UAE 5, Ukraine 1, Vietnam 8) (2006) Military Mongolia

total

61 ships (1000 GRT or over) 319,053 GRT/479,190 DWT

Military branches

Mongolian People's Army (MPA), Mongolian People's Air Force (MPAF); there is no navy (2005)

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$23.1 million (FY02)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

2.2% (FY02) Transnational Issues Mongolia

Military service age and obligation

18-25 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months in land or air defense forces or police; a small portion of Mongolian land forces (2.5 percent) is comprised of contract soldiers; women cannot be deployed overseas for military operations (2006)

National holiday

Independence Day/Revolution Day, 11 July (1921)

Nationality

adjective

Mongolian

noun

Mongolian(s)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural hazards

dust storms, grassland and forest fires, drought, and "zud," which is harsh winter conditions

Natural resources

oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel, zinc, fluorspar, gold, silver, iron

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Oil - consumption

11,220 bbl/day (2005 est.)

Oil - exports

515 bbl/day (2005 est.)

Oil - imports

11,210 bbl/day (2005 est.)

Oil - production

548.8 bbl/day (2005 est.)

Political parties and leaders

Citizens' Will Republican Party or CWRP (also called Civil Courage Republican Party or CCRP) [Sanjaasurengiin OYUN]; Democratic Party or DP [Tsakhiagiyn ELBEGDORJ]; Motherland-Mongolian New Socialist Democratic Party or M-MNSDP [Badarchyn ERDENEBAT]; Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party or MPRP [Miegombyn ENKHBOLD]; Mongolian Republican Party or MRP [Bazarsadyn JARGALSAIKHAN]; People's Party or PP [Lamjav GUNDALAI]

note

DP and M-MNSDP formed Motherland-Democracy Coalition (MDC) in 2003 and with CWRP contested June 2004 elections as single party; MDC's leadership dissolved coalition in December 2004

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Population

2,832,224 (July 2006 est.)

Population below poverty line

36.1% (2004 est.)

Population growth rate

1.46% (2006 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 7, FM 62, shortwave 3 (2004)

Radios

155,900 (1999)

Railways

broad gauge

1,810 km 1.524-m gauge (2005)

total

1,810 km

Religions

Buddhist Lamaist 50%, none 40%, Shamanist and Christian 6%, Muslim 4% (2004)

Roadways

paved

1,724 km

total

49,250 km

unpaved

47,526 km (2002)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telephone system

domestic

very low density of about 5.5 main lines per 100 persons; two wireless providers cover all but two provinces

general assessment

network is improving with international direct dialing available in many areas

international

country code - 976; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean Region)

Telephones - main lines in use

156,000 (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular

557,200 (2005)

Television broadcast stations

52 (plus 21 provincial repeaters and many low power repeaters) (2004)

Televisions

168,800 (1999)

Terrain

vast semidesert and desert plains, grassy steppe, mountains in west and southwest; Gobi Desert in south-central

Total fertility rate

2.25 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.7% (2003)

Waterways

580 km

note

only waterway in operation is Lake Hovsgol (135 km); Selenge River (270 km) and Orhon River (175 km) are navigable but carry little traffic; lakes and rivers freeze in winter, are open from May to September (2004)