Fact 1: Land of the Nomads
In Mongolia, a significant percentage of the population still practices a nomadic lifestyle, living in traditional tent-like dwellings known as 'gers'. According to the World Bank, it's estimated that about 30% of the population in Mongolia continues to live as practicing nomads, truly living off the land.
Fact 2: Blue Scarves Hold a Special Meaning
In Mongolia, presenting someone with a blue scarf, known as a 'Khata', is a traditional way of showing respect. This Mongolian tradition originates from their ancient belief in the eternal blue sky.
Fact 3: The First Dinosaur Eggs Were Found in Mongolia
The first-ever discovered dinosaur eggs were found in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia in the 1920s. The country is home to some of the most important paleontological discoveries, including a variety of dinosaur fossils dating back over 80 million years.
Fact 4: The Land of Horses
There are more horses in Mongolia than people. This dates back to the times of Genghis Khan, where horses were important for transport, warfare, and hunting. Today, horse riding remains an integral part of Mongolian culture.
Fact 5: World’s Largest Landlocked Country
Mongolia holds the distinction of being the world's largest landlocked country. It's almost twice the size of Eastern Europe, covering an area of over 1.5 million square kilometers.
Fact 6: A Coins Story
The togrog, also known as tugrik, is the official currency of Mongolia. The current series of coins features traditional Mongolian wildlife, such as the falcon, horse, and yak.
Fact 7: Home To The World’s Largest Equestrian Statue
In Mongolia, you will find the world's largest equestrian statue: a 131-foot tall statue of Genghis Khan on horseback. Found near the capital city of Ulan Bator, the statue is a testament to Mongolia's history and national pride.
Fact 8: Ice Cream Festival
Mongolia celebrates an Ice Cream Festival every July. With cold winters and hot summers, ice cream has become an integral part of Mongolia's food culture, leading to the unique celebration of this delightful treat.
Fact 9: White Food and Red Food
In traditional Mongolian culture, foods are categorized as either 'white food' or 'red food'. 'White food' refers to dairy products, which are consumed in the summer when the animals produce a lot of milk. 'Red food', mostly meat, is consumed in the cold winters.
Fact 10: Deadliest Empire in History
Historically, the Mongol Empire was the deadliest empire in human history, being the largest contiguous empire, thanks to Genghis Khan and his successors. At its height, it covered an estimated 24 million square kilometers.
Fact 11: The Capital City's Population
About 45% of Mongolia's population resides in its capital city, Ulaanbaatar, making it the country's political, cultural, and economic hub.
Fact 12: No Repeat Names Policy
In Mongolia, there's a law that forbids parents from naming their child with a name already registered. This unique naming law was created to preserve the individuality and uniqueness of each Mongolian citizen.
Fact 13: Lunar Calendar Celebrations
Mongolians still follow the lunar calendar for traditional celebrations, with the biggest festival being Tsagaan Sar, the Lunar New Year, which occurs in late January or early February.
Fact 14: Miniature Game Hunting
Mongolia is one of the few places in the world where you can go hunting with eagles - a tradition passed down from ancient nomads and still practiced today, particularly in the western parts of the country.
Fact 15: Unique Singing Tradition
Mongolia is famous for its unique overtone singing technique, known as "Khoomei". In Khoomei, a single singer produces two or three lines of melody simultaneously, using the pitches of the voice's overtone series.
Fact 16: More Than Just Horses
Not just horses, Mongolia also has more livestock than people. The livestock population is made up of horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and camels.
Fact 17: Home to the Oldest National Park
Mongolia is home to the oldest national park in the world. The Bogd Khan Uul National Park was declared a protected site in 1778, by the Mongolian government, well before Yellowstone National Park in the U.S.
Fact 18: No Fish Dishes Here
Despite having approximately 4000 rivers and 500 lakes, fishing never caught on as a popular pastime or industry, like in many other countries. This means traditional Mongolian cuisine tends not to include fish dishes.
Fact 19: The Eagle Festival
One of the most fascinating events in Mongolia is the Golden Eagle Festival, held in the country's western regions. This festivity sees eagle hunters displaying their skills and competing in events. The eagles are released from a cliff, and their trainers stand at the bottom, summoning them with calls and signals.
Fact 20: Winter Palace of Bogd Khan
The Winter Palace of Bogd Khan in Ulaanbaatar is the only remaining residence of the Mongolian political figure, Bogd Khan. Today, this palace serves as a museum, offering visitors a glimpse into Mongolia's history.