Mongolia Country & Tourist Information

Location
Central Asia.

Area
1,564,116 sq km (603,909 sq miles).

Population
3 million (CIA estimate 2007).

Population Density
1.9 per sq km.

Capital
Ulaanbaatar.
Population: 869,900 (2004).

Government
Republic. Declared independence from China in 1921.

Language
Khalkh Mongolian is the official language. Kazakh is spoken by 5% of the population. There are also many Mongolian dialects.

Religion
Buddhist Lamaism is the main religion, although there is no state religion.

Time
GMT + 8.
Bayan Ulgii, Uvs & Khovd Aimags in western Mongolia: GMT + 7.

Electricity
230 volts AC, 50Hz.

Head of Government
Prime Minister Miyeegombo Enkhbold since 2006.

Head of State
President Nambaryn Enkhbayar since 2005.

Recent History
The Mongolian Parliament chose the former mayor of Ulaanbaatar, Miyeegombo Enkhbold, as the new prime minister in the January 2006 elections. Mr Enkhbold was the widely expected choice, being the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party (MPRP) candidate. Mongolia was plunged into crisis weeks before the election when the MPRP withdrew from the governing coalition, causing Prime Minister Tsakhia Elbegdorj to resign.

Telephone
Country code: 976. Area codes: Ulaanbaatar: 11, Darkhan: 01 372, Erdenet: 01 352, Khovd: 01 432. International calls can be made from telephone exchanges and hotels in Ulaanbaatar.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone operators. Coverage is limited to urban areas.

Internet
Access is available in Ulaanbaatar at business centers (often located in hotels), Internet cafes and at the telephone exchange on Suhkbaatar Square.

Media
In general the media are free, and sometimes outspoken in their criticism of the authorities. However, journalists risk imprisonment for defamation and violating ’state secrets’.

Post
Airmail abroad can be very slow. There is an express mail service available for a limited number of countries.

Press
• The main newspapers include Odriin Sonin, Ünen and Zuuny Medee.
• The English-language papers published weekly in Mongolia include The Mongol Messenger and The UB Post.

Radio
• State-run national radio is operated by Mongolradio.
• Private stations include Radio Ulaanbaatar.
• Voice of Mongolia is a state-funded external broadcaster.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day. 
25-27 Feb Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year).
8 Mar International Women's Day.
1 Jun Mother and Child Day.
11-13 Jul Naadam.
26 Nov Independence Day.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day. 
Jan/Feb* Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year).
8 Mar International Women's Day.
1 Jun Mother and Child Day.
11-13 Jul Naadam.
26 Nov Independence Day.

* Date to be confirmed.

Contact Information:

Mongolian Tourism Association
Room 318, Trade Union Building, Sukhbaatar Square-11, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Tel: (11) 323 026.
Website: www.travelmongolia.org

Embassy of Mongolia in the UK
7-8 Kensington Court, London W8 5DL, UK
Tel: (020) 7937 0150 ext. 29 (visa section).
Website: www.embassyofmongolia.co.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1230 (visa section).

Embassy of Mongolia in the USA
2833 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA
Tel: (202) 333 7117.
Website: www.mongolianembassy.us


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