Mongolia

.mn

524 (2009) country comparison to the world: 170

330,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 122

AM 7, FM 115 (includes 20 national radio broadcaster repeaters), shortwave 4 (2006)

general assessment: network is improving with international direct dialing available in many areas domestic: very low fixed-line density; there are multiple mobile cellular service providers and subscribership is increasing rapidly; a fiber-optic network has been installed that is improving broadband and communication services between major urban centers with multiple companies providing inter-city fiber-optic cable services international: country code - 976; satellite earth stations - 7

165,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 129

1.796 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 126

68 (2008)

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

revenues: $1.71 billion expenditures: $1.95 billion (2008)

14.78% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 44 9.87% (31 December 2007)

18% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 26 17.54% (31 December 2007)

-$1 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 -$23 million (2007 est.)

$1.6 billion (2008) country comparison to the world: 142 $1.438 billion (2007)

32.8 (2002) country comparison to the world: 97 44 (1998)

Economic activity in Mongolia has traditionally been based on herding and agriculture. Mongolia has extensive mineral deposits. Copper, coal, gold, molybdenum, fluorspar, uranium, tin, and tungsten account for a large part of industrial production and foreign direct investment. 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 because of 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 2000-02 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 averaged nearly 9% per year in 2004-08 largely because of high copper prices and new gold production. Until late 2008 Mongolia experienced a soaring inflation rate with year-to-year inflation reaching nearly 40% - the highest inflation rate in over a decade. In late 2008 falling commodity prices in this import-reliant country helped lower inflation but by that time, the country had begun to feel the effects of the global financial crisis. Falling prices for copper and other mineral exports have reduced government revenues and are forcing cuts in spending. The global credit crisis has stalled growth in key sectors, especially those that had been fueled by foreign investment. Mongolia's economy continues to be heavily influenced by its neighbors. Mongolia purchases 95% of its petroleum products and a substantial amount of electric power from Russia, leaving it vulnerable to price increases. Trade with China represents more than half of Mongolia's total external trade - China receives about 70% of Mongolia's exports. Remittances from Mongolians working abroad both legally and illegally are sizable but have fallen due to the economic crisis; 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.

3.491 billion kWh (2008) country comparison to the world: 118

15.8 million kWh (2008)

197.5 million kWh (2008)

3.979 billion kWh (2008) country comparison to the world: 118

togrog/tugriks (MNT) per US dollar - 1,267.51 (2008), 1,170 (2007), 1,165 (2006), 1,205 (2005), 1,185.3 (2004)

$2.539 billion (2008) country comparison to the world: 127 $1.889 billion (2007)

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

China 74%, Canada 9.4%, Russia 3.3% (2008)

$5.243 billion (2008 est.)

$9.499 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 $8.714 billion (2007 est.) $7.929 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

agriculture: 18.8% industry: 38.5% services: 42.7% (2008)

$3,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 $3,000 (2007 est.) $2,700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 9.9% (2007 est.) 8.6% (2006 est.)

lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 24.9% (2005)

$3.615 billion (2008) country comparison to the world: 132 $2.117 billion (2007)

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

Russia 34.1%, China 29.1%, South Korea 7.6%, Japan 7.4% (2008)

3% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 82

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

28% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 218 9% (2007 est.)

1.068 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 138

agriculture: 34% industry: 5% services: 61% (2008)

$412 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 101 $612.2 million (31 December 2007) $112.6 million (31 December 2006)

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 161

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 156

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 97

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 161

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 113

15,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 186

17,680 bbl/day (2008) country comparison to the world: 116

3,216 bbl/day (2008) country comparison to the world: 101

0 bbl country comparison to the world: 106

36.1% (2004)

$NA

$NA

$1.743 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 95 $1.183 billion (31 December 2007)

$521.2 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 93 $504.7 million (31 December 2007)

$1.288 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 91 $1.53 billion (31 December 2007)

2.8% (2008) country comparison to the world: 31 3% (2007)

total: 1,564,116 sq km country comparison to the world: 19 land: 1,553,556 sq km water: 10,560 sq km

slightly smaller than Alaska

desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges)

0 km (landlocked)

lowest point: Hoh Nuur 518 m highest point: Nayramadlin Orgil (Huyten Orgil) 4,374 m

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

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

total: 0.44 cu km/yr (20%/27%/52%) per capita: 166 cu m/yr (2000)

46 00 N, 105 00 E

landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia

840 sq km (2003)

total: 8,220 km border countries: China 4,677 km, Russia 3,543 km

arable land: 0.76% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.24% (2005)

Northern Asia, between China and Russia

Asia

none (landlocked)

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

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

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

34.8 cu km (1999)

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

name: Ulaanbaatar geographic coordinates: 47 55 N, 106 55 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

13 January 1992

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Mongolia local long form: none local short form: Mongol Uls former: Outer Mongolia

chief of mission: Ambassador Mark C. MINTON embassy: Big Ring Road, 11th Micro Region, Ulaanbaatar, 14171 Mongolia mailing address: PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002; P.O. Box 1021, Ulaanbaatar-13 telephone: [976] (11) 329-095 FAX: [976] (11) 320-776

chief of mission: Ambassador Khasbazaryn BEKHBAT chancery: 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 333-7117 FAX: [1] (202) 298-9227 consulate(s) general: New York

chief of state: President Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ (since 18 June 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Sukhbaatar BATBOLD (since 29 October 2009); First Deputy Prime Minister (Norov ALTANKHUYAG (since 20 September 2008); Vice Prime Minister Miegombyn ENKHBOLD (since 6 December 2007) cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister in consultation with the president and confirmed by the State Great Hural (parliament) 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 24 May 2009 (next to be held in May 2013); following legislative elections, leader of majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by State Great Hural election results: in elections in May 2009, Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ elected president; percent of vote - Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ 51.24%, Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR 47.44%, others 1.32%

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)

parliamentary

11 July 1921 (from China)

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

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)

blend of Soviet and German systems that employ "continental" or "civil" code; case-precedent may be used to inform judges, but all decisions must refer to the law as written; constitution ambiguous on judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

unicameral State Great Hural 76 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms elections: last held 29 June 2008 (next to be held in June 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MPRP 45, DP 27, others 4; note - 1 seat disputed and unfilled

Independence Day/Revolution Day, 11 July (1921)

Democratic Party or DP [Norov ALTANHUYAG]; Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party or MPRP [Sanjaa BAYAR]

other: human rights groups; women's groups

18 years of age; universal

The Mongols gained fame in the 13th century when under Chinggis KHAN they established a huge Eurasian empire through conquest. 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 in the late 17th century came under Chinese rule. Mongolia won its independence in 1921 with Soviet backing and a Communist regime was installed in 1924. The modern country of Mongolia, however, represents only part of the Mongols' historical homeland; more Mongols live in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in the People's Republic of China than in Mongolia. Following a peaceful democratic revolution, 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. The MPRP won an overwhelming majority in the 2000 parliamentary election, but the party lost seats in the 2004 election and shared power with democratic coalition parties from 2004-08. The MPRP regained a solid majority in the 2008 parliamentary elections but nevertheless formed a coalition government with the Democratic Party. The prime minister and most cabinet members are MPRP members.

males age 16-49: 865,425 females age 16-49: 860,669 (2008 est.)

males age 16-49: 706,774 females age 16-49: 740,550 (2009 est.)

male: 28,251 female: 27,344 (2009 est.)

Mongolian Armed Forces: Mongolian Army, Mongolian Air Force; there is no navy (2009)

1.4% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 116

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)

0-14 years: 28.1% (male 436,391/female 418,923) 15-64 years: 67.9% (male 1,031,819/female 1,033,806) 65 years and over: 4% (male 52,430/female 67,773) (2009 est.)

21.05 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

6.12 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

5% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 73

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

less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 108

fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 149

total: 39.88 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 67 male: 42.99 deaths/1,000 live births female: 36.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian (1999)

total population: 67.65 years country comparison to the world: 154 male: 65.23 years female: 70.19 years (2009 est.)

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.8% male: 98% female: 97.5% (2000 census)

total: 25.3 years male: 24.9 years female: 25.7 years (2009 est.)

noun: Mongolian(s) adjective: Mongolian

NA (2009 est.)

3,041,142 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

1.493% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 89

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

total: 13 years male: 12 years female: 14 years (2006)

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

2.23 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 114

urban population: 57% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

none

45 (2009) country comparison to the world: 95

total: 14 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2009)

total: 31 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

1 (2009)

total: 77 country comparison to the world: 57 by type: bulk carrier 20, cargo 44, chemical tanker 2, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 6, vehicle carrier 1 foreign-owned: 53 (China 1, Germany 4, Indonesia 1, North Korea 1, South Korea 1, Lebanon 2, Russia 9, Singapore 9, Thailand 1, Ukraine 1, Vietnam 23) (2008)

total: 1,810 km country comparison to the world: 76 broad gauge: 1,810 km 1.520-m gauge (2008)

total: 49,249 km country comparison to the world: 80 paved: 2,671 km unpaved: 46,578 km (2008)

580 km country comparison to the world: 82 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 (2007)