Mongolia Travel Guide

Country Facts

Location

Central Asia.

Language

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

Area

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

Time Zone

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

Electricity

230 volts AC, 50Hz.

Population

3 million (2008 estimate).

Population Density

1.9 per sq km.

Capital City

Ulaanbaatar. Population: 1,000,000 (2007).

Government

Republic. Declared independence from China in 1921.

Head of Government

Prime Minister Sanj Bayar since 2008.

Head of State

President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj since 2009.

Religion

Buddhist Lamaism is the main religion, although there is no state religion. About 5% of Mongolians are Christian.

Recent History

The Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) emerged victorious in the 2008 Parliamentary elections, winning 46 out of 72 seats in the Great Hural. The Democrats won 27 seats and form the minority party in Parliament. Allegations of cheating by both parties clouded the election results and led to rioting that left five civilians dead. A period of national reconciliation culminated in August when Mongolia successfully competed in the Olympics, winning two gold and two silver medals. The golds were the first in Mongolia's Olympic history.

In May 2009, Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, leader of the Democratic Party, was elected president.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +976. Area codes: Darkhan: 01 372, Erdenet: 01 352, Khovd: 01 432. Ulaanbaatar has several area codes, the most common area code is 11. However, if a phone number begins with a 23, 24 or 25 then the code is 21. If the phone number begins with a 26 the code is 51. International calls can be made from telephone exchanges in Ulaanbaatar and provincial capitals.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone operators. Coverage includes large cities, provincial capitals, many county centers and main roads. Mongolia has four mobile phone service providers, two run on the GSM network and two run on the CDMA network. SIM cards are available at low cost from local phone shops.

Internet

Access is available in Ulaanbaatar at business centers (often located in hotels), Internet cafés and at the telephone exchange on Suhkbaatar Square. Many cafés, restaurants and hotels in Ulaanbaatar offer free Wi-Fi access. Free Wi-Fi is also available in Sukhbaatar Square. Every provincial capital has a reliable Internet café at the central telecom office. Wi-Fi access outside Ulaanbaatar is rare. The Internet is open and unrestricted. High-speed access is available.

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'. The privately-run English language UB Post is published twice weekly. The government-owned Mongol Messenger is published once weekly.

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.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
3 Feb - 5 Feb Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year)
8 Mar International Women’s Day
1 Jun Mother and Child Day
11 Jul - 13 Jul Naadam
26 Nov Independence Day

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
23 Jan - 25 Jan Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year)
8 Mar International Women’s Day
1 Jun Mother and Child Day
11 Jul - 13 Jul Naadam
26 Nov Independence Day

Contact Information

Department of Tourism

Mongolian Government Building - 2, United Nations Street 5/2, Ulaanbaatar 210646, Mongolia
Tel: (11) 311 102.
Website: www.mongoliatourism.gov.mn

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