Mongolia is a country four times the size of
Montana and, like Montana, lies between 40 and 50 degrees of latitude. The
climate, geology, vegetation and wildlife of Mongolia is also very similar
to that of Montana. The landscape ranges from dry grassland (Gobi) in the
south to steppe, snowy mountains and taiga in the north.
Long a province of China, Mongolia won
its independence in 1921 with Soviet
backing. A communist regime was installed in 1924. During the early 1990s,
the ex-communist Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) gradually
yielded its monopoly on power. In 1996, the Democratic Union Coalition
(DUC) defeated the MPRP in a national election. Over the next four years
the Coalition implemented a number of key reforms to modernize the economy
and institutionalize democratic reforms. However, the former communists
were a strong opposition that stalled additional reforms and made
implementation difficult. In 2000, the MPRP won 72 of the 76 seats in
Parliament and completely reshuffled the government. While it continues
many of the reform policies, the MPRP is focusing on social welfare and
public order priorities.
Genghis Khan
is Mongolia's favorite son and, understandably, he is revered within
Mongolia. Disparaging remarks about Genghis are the one sure way to NOT
make friends in Mongolia. In fact, virtually all written accounts of
Genghis Khan and his empire were written by the people he defeated, so
what we know as "history" has a natural anti-Genghis bias. Genghis Khan
was a firm, unambiguous ruler who was also remarkably tolerant of
different religions, new technologies and diverse points of view. His
empire, while built with an iron fist, served to mix cultures from Korea
to Europe and the long term positive effects of his empire building are
undeniable.
Mongolians are nomadic herders and
each herdsmen strives for a healthy balance in his livestock of sheep,
goats, camels, cattle (yaks) and horses. The Mongolian diet revolves
around meat and milk products with very little in the way of vegetables.
Mongolians are traditionally Tibetan Buddhists
with a healthy dose of Shamanism thrown in. After seventy years of
government decreed atheism under the Communists, Mongolia is just
rediscovering its spiritual roots. In the countryside of Mongolia, people
still live much as they have for centuries. Their lifestyle is well suited
to the environment and has been refined through time. People in the
countryside are simple but enjoy a high level of literacy and are more
sophisticated than what the term "nomads" may conjure up to the western
mind.
Ulaan Baatar, the capital city, is a
modern city of 700,000 (one third of the entire population of Mongolia).
High rise apartments, crowded suburbs, chaotic traffic are in stark
contrast to the quiet, simple life of the countryside. Ulaan Baatar is
where east meets west, where the promise of technology and modern values
collides with traditional culture. In Suhkbaatar Square, near the statue
of the revolutionary hero Sukhbaatar, you can see hip young people talking
on their cell phones next to old men in traditional dress flipping their
prayer beads, talking to the Gods.
In Ulaan Baatar you may expect western standard hotels, a variety of
restaurants, good art and history museums and a friendly and open
populace. In the countryside expect rustic accommodations in gers, simple
meals, bumpy, dusty roads and a friendly and open populace.
(Information courtesy
"Travel Information and Links about Mongolia" )
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