Table of Contents Chapter 1: Profile ............................................................................................................................ 6 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 6 Geography ................................................................................................................................... 6 Area ......................................................................................................................................... 6 Climate .................................................................................................................................... 7 Geographic Divisions and Topographic Features ................................................................... 8 Rivers and Lakes ..................................................................................................................... 9 Major Cities ............................................................................................................................... 10 Ulaanbaatar ............................................................................................................................ 10 Erdenet ................................................................................................................................... 11 Darhan ................................................................................................................................... 11 Choybalsan ............................................................................................................................ 11 Olgiy ...................................................................................................................................... 12 History ....................................................................................................................................... 12 Early History and Genghis Khan ........................................................................................... 12 From Conquest to Empire ..................................................................................................... 13 Mongolia in the 20th Century ................................................................................................ 15 Government ............................................................................................................................... 16 Economy .................................................................................................................................... 17 Agriculture ............................................................................................................................. 17 Mining ................................................................................................................................... 17 Tourism ................................................................................................................................. 18 Media ......................................................................................................................................... 18 Ethnic Groups ............................................................................................................................ 19 Khalkha ................................................................................................................................. 19 Dorvod ................................................................................................................................... 19 Buriat ..................................................................................................................................... 19 Dariganga .............................................................................................................................. 20 Kazakh ................................................................................................................................... 20 Chapter 1: Assessment .................................................................................................................. 21 Chapter 2: Religion ....................................................................................................................... 22 Overview ................................................................................................................................... 22 Major Religions ......................................................................................................................... 22 Lamaist Buddhism ................................................................................................................. 22 Shamanism ............................................................................................................................ 23 Islam ...................................................................................................................................... 24 Christianity ............................................................................................................................ 24 The Role of Religion in Government ........................................................................................ 25 Religion and Daily Life ............................................................................................................. 26 Religious Events and Holidays .................................................................................................. 28 Tsagaan Sar ........................................................................................................................... 28 Nadaam .................................................................................................................................. 28 Ovoo ...................................................................................................................................... 29 Nauryz ................................................................................................................................... 29 Kurban Ait ............................................................................................................................. 29 Buildings of Worship ................................................................................................................ 30 Buddhist Temples and Monasteries ....................................................................................... 30 Mosques ................................................................................................................................. 30 Behavior in Places of Worship .................................................................................................. 31 Buddhist Temples .................................................................................................................. 31 Mosques ................................................................................................................................. 33 Chapter 2: Assessment .................................................................................................................. 34 Chapter 3: Traditions ..................................................................................................................... 35 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 35 Codes of Politeness ................................................................................................................... 35 Hospitality and Gift Giving ....................................................................................................... 37 Types of Food and Eating Habits .............................................................................................. 38 Mongolian Clothing .................................................................................................................. 40 Deel ....................................................................................................................................... 40 Gutul ...................................................................................................................................... 41 Non-religious Celebrations ........................................................................................................ 41 Mongolian Republic Day (Independence Day) ..................................................................... 41 International Women’s Day .................................................................................................. 42 Golden Eagle Festival............................................................................................................ 42 Dos and Don’ts .......................................................................................................................... 43 Do .......................................................................................................................................... 43 Don’t ...................................................................................................................................... 43 Chapter 3: Assessment .................................................................................................................. 45 Chapter 4: Urban Life .................................................................................................................... 46