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What climate zone is Mongolia in? Climate of Mongolia. Geographical location and interesting facts. Why such a climate in Mongolia

Mongolia is an amazing country that amaze tourists with its uniqueness and originality. Located in Central Asia, this country borders only Russia and China and is landlocked. Therefore, the climate of Mongolia is sharply continental. And Ulaanbaatar is considered But anyway, Mongolia is popular among tourists from all over the planet.

General information

Mongolia still keeps its traditions, it managed to carry its cultural heritage through the centuries. The Great Mongol Empire had a huge impact on world history, the famous leader Genghis Khan was born on the territory of this particular country.

Today, a unique place on the planet attracts primarily those who want to take a break from the noise of megacities and familiar resorts and immerse themselves in a special world of pristine natural beauty. Geographical location, climate, plants, animals - all this is unusual and unique. High mountains, endless steppes, blue skies, a unique world of flora and fauna cannot but attract tourists from all over the world to this country.

Geographical position

Mongolia, whose relief and climate are naturally interconnected, unites on its territory the Gobi desert and such mountain ranges as the Gobi and Mongolian Altai, Khangai. Thus, on the territory of Mongolia there are both high mountains and vast plains.

The country is located on average at an altitude of 1580 meters above sea level. Mongolia is landlocked and shares borders with Russia and China. The area of ​​the country is 1,566,000 sq. km. The largest rivers flowing in Mongolia are the Selenga, Kerulen, Khalkhin Gol and others. The capital of the state - Ulaanbaatar - has a long and interesting history.

Population of the country

Today, about 3 million people live in the country. The population density is approximately 1.8 people per sq. m. territory. The population is unevenly distributed, in the capital the population density is very high, but the southern regions and desert territories are less populated.

The ethnic composition of the population is very diverse:

  • 82% - Mongols;
  • 4% - Kazakhs;
  • 2% - Buryats and other nationalities.

There are also Russians and Chinese in the country. Among the religions, Buddhism prevails here. In addition, a small percentage of the population professes Islam, there are many adherents of Christianity.

Mongolia: climate and its features

This place is called "the country of the blue sky", as it is sunny most of the year. Located in the temperate climate zone, Mongolia has a sharply continental climate. This means that it is characterized by sharp temperature changes and low rainfall.

Cold, but almost snowless winter in Mongolia (temperature can drop to -45˚C) is replaced by spring with its strong gusts of wind, sometimes reaching hurricanes, and then by warm and sunny summer. This country often becomes the site of sandstorms.

If we briefly describe the climate of Mongolia, it is enough to mention the large temperature fluctuations even within a day. There are severe winters, hot summers and increased dryness of the air. The coldest month is January, the warmest is June.

Why such a climate in Mongolia

Sharp temperature changes, dry air and a large number of sunny days make this place special. It can be concluded that what are the reasons for the sharp continentality of the climate of Mongolia:

  • remoteness from the seas;
  • an obstacle to the entry of moist air currents from the oceans are the mountain ranges that surround the country's territory;
  • formation of high pressure combined with low temperatures in winter.

Such extreme temperature fluctuations and low rainfall make this country special. Familiarization with the reasons for the sharp continental climate of Mongolia will help to better understand the relationship between the relief, geographical location and climate of this country.

Seasons

The best time to visit Mongolia is from May to September. Despite the fact that there are many sunny days here, the amplitude of temperatures is very large for the seasons. The climate of Mongolia by months has very characteristic features.


Vegetable world

Mongolia, whose climate is sharply continental, has a rich and unusual flora. On its territory there are various natural zones: highlands, taiga belt, forest-steppe and steppe, desert and semi-desert zones.

In Mongolia, you can see mountains covered with deciduous, cedar and pine forests. In the valleys, they are replaced by deciduous species (birch, aspen, ash) and shrubs (honeysuckle, bird cherry, wild rosemary and others). In general, forests cover about 15% of Mongolia's vegetation.

The vegetation cover of the steppes of Mongolia is also very diverse. It includes plants such as feather grass, wheatgrass and others. Saxaul prevails on the territory of semi-deserts. This type of vegetation makes up about 30% of the entire flora of Mongolia.

Of the medicinal plants, juniper, celandine, and sea buckthorn are most widely used.

Animal world

Several very rare species of mammals are represented in Mongolia, such as the snow leopard, Przewalski's horse, Mongolian kulan, wild camel and many others (about 130 species in total). There are also many (over 450) various species of birds - eagles, owls, hawks. In the desert there is a wild cat, goitered gazelle, saiga, in the forests - deer, sable, roe deer.

Some of them, unfortunately, need protection, as they are under the threat of extinction. The Government of Mongolia takes care of the preservation of the existing rich fund of flora and fauna. For this purpose, numerous reserves and national parks were organized here.

This country is unique. Therefore, it attracts many tourists who want to learn more about Mongolia. There are several features that characterize it:

  • Mongolia, whose climate is quite severe, is the country with the coldest capital in the world.
  • It has the lowest population density among all countries in the world.
  • If you translate the name of the capital Ulaanbaatar from, you get the phrase "red hero".
  • Another name for Mongolia is the "Land of the Blue Sky".

Not all tourists aspiring to these parts know what the climate is in Mongolia. But even a detailed acquaintance with its features does not frighten lovers of exotic and wildlife.

The weather in Mongolia will not be to everyone's liking, as the continental climate dominates the entire country. Which is characterized by: a sharp change in weather during the season, as well as strong temperature fluctuations within a day. The Mongolian climate is famous for its harsh, dry winters and humid, warm summers.

A strong wind is an integral sign of Mongolia, it blows all year round. However, in the spring, its gusts intensify, raising sand and dust to the skies, turning into a “karaburan” (the so-called black storm).

January in Mongolia is considered to be the most severe month of the year. Indeed, on a January day, the air temperature is usually 15-20 degrees below zero, and at night it drops to 30-40 degrees below zero. In the Gobi desert, the weather is generally raging at night and there is a terrible cold.

The thermometer at this time of day drops to minus 50 degrees. However, it is worth noting that the cold in Mongolia (because the air is dry) is much easier to bear. For example, twenty-degree frost in Ulaanbaatar feels about the same as -10°C here.

July- the hottest month of the year. The July sun of Mongolia generously warms the air up to +20…+26 degrees Celsius, and during a short summer night it only manages to cool down to +12…+15 degrees. But in the Gobi Desert, heat reigns. The 40-degree July heat literally incinerates this part of the country.

Mongolia is called the “land of the blue sky” for a reason. After all, 250 days a year there are clear and sunny. And the reason for the sunny weather is the high mountains that surround this power and do not allow moist air blowing from the oceans (Pacific and Atlantic) into its territory.

On average, the weather is dry and only 220 mm of precipitation falls annually in Mongolia. (a little) Every year in the mountains there is about 500 mm of rain and snow. And in Ulaanbaatar - the capital of the country - about 250 mm, on the Mongolian plains - up to 100 mm.

It is noteworthy that in the Gobi desert it is only 50 mm. The main part of precipitation, heavy rains, falls on the so-called "wet season", which begins in May and ends in September.

Weather in Mongolia in spring

Spring comes in Mongolia, usually in mid-March and lasts an average of 60 days. But, depending on weather conditions, these terms can vary from 45 to 70 days. At this time, nature wakes up: everything around blooms and pleases with a variety of colors, filling the air with its aroma.

Spring is a good time to visit Mongolia. However, in the south, in the center of the country, dust storms occur in spring. They swoop in quite suddenly, pass quickly, but can do a lot of trouble.

Wind with a speed of 15–25 m/s. possesses colossal destructive power: it rips off the roofs of houses, knocks out glass in the windows, overturns yurts, breaks and takes things away for several kilometers, or even more.

Weather in Mongolia in summer - travel season

Summer is the warmest and perhaps the best season to go on a trip to Mongolia. It is interesting that in June the steppe is emerald green (because the grass has not yet had time to burn out), livestock graze peacefully and gain weight.

Because of the abundance of rain, the rivers are then the most full-flowing and beautiful. The Mongolian folk festival Nadam, which is held in July, is traditionally celebrated with a variety of sports competitions. This is a truly colorful sight that deserves the attention of tourists.

The summer period lasts approximately 110 days - namely from the second half of May to the beginning of September.

weather in autumn

Mongolian autumn is a transitional season from warm and rainy summers to very dry winters. As for autumn, this is the time to harvest vegetables, grain crops, as well as the time to prepare firewood for the winter. Autumn is short and lasts only 60 days from the first of September to the beginning of November.

It is worth noting that the best travel season in Mongolia is precisely the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. Although the first snow in the country may fall as early as September, but after 1-2 days there will be no trace of it.

Weather in Mongolia in winter

Winter is cold and long. The air temperature drops so much that almost all water bodies: rivers, ponds, lakes, channels freeze almost to the bottom. Snow falls all over the country. The duration of winter is 110 days (and this is November, March).

There are snowfalls in November and December. But, when compared with Russia, there is quite a bit of snow during the winter. In Ulaanbaatar itself, winter can be called dusty rather than snowy. Although winters have become snowier in recent years. Heavy snowfalls (dzudy) are considered a real disaster for the country's livestock farms.

So if you are going or on a tourist package, be sure to pay attention to the weather conditions during this period of time.

Mongolian dogs - banhars - have always played an important role in the life of the nomadic Mongols, but their main role was to protect the owners and their property. Huskies are used for dog sledding. However, while dog sled racing is not a native sport to Mongolia and the Husky is not a Mongolian breed, the combination of the two makes for an incredible adventure in the midst of the Mongolian winter.

Dog sledding in Mongolia is available at the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park - a trip during which you can feel the dominant forces of nature - from the tracks of a wolf that you will meet in the snow, to the sound of ice moving along the frozen rivers Tuul and Terelj.

Yes, the word "adventure" is fashionable and even abused in the tourism industry, but it's really a real adventure - living with dogs, meeting shepherds and their families, will give a real sense of freedom. You will be deeply touched by the privacy and space. There is no doubt about this.

Indeed, it is a challenge. All Huskies love to run. This is what they are made for. They really love to run on the trail. At the start of the day, dogs will be excited and rush forward, so hold on tight for the fast and exciting ride!

5-6 dogs pull the team with great force. And at the end of each day you get the opportunity to help with the care of the dogs (feeding time!). It opens up new perspectives, you will learn interesting information about caring for wonderful, hardy and friendly dogs.

As for surprises along the route and changeable weather conditions, you should be aware that most of the trip passes along a smooth, frozen river, but you will encounter hard pack ice, snowy ice, puddles of water, cracks, mounds, objects frozen into the ice and overhanging plants along the banks of the river.

It's very easy to get outside your comfort zone - whether it's the air temperature, route conditions or speed.

If you want to try a new way of traveling then consider dog sledding in Mongolia.

Take thermal underwear and warm clothes with you, come to Mongolia this winter and do something unusual for yourself. Come and let the winter landscapes dominate, then you will have a wonderful experience that will really make you feel alive.

In addition, Mongolia is known as the “Land of the Eternal Blue Sky”. Most days of the year, almost 260 days, there are blue skies overhead, especially in winter, so you can fully enjoy the cold fresh air and crystal blue skies.

CLIMATE, WEATHER

Mongolia is located in the east of Asia. From the north it borders on Russia, and the rest of Mongolia connects with China. The area of ​​the state is 1.6 million km2. The capital is called Ulaanbaatar. The city is located in the center of the country, at an altitude of 1300 m above sea level. The river Tuul flows here. The rivers Selenga, Kerulen and Khalkhin-Gol are also born in the Mongolian mountains.

The relief of Mongolia is represented by a plateau, which is elevated by 1000-1500 m. In the west of the country, the Mongolian Altai mountain system stretches, which turns into low mountain ranges and thus embraces the entire plateau. The Khangai massif is located in the center of the country. Plains meet in the east and south. In Mongolia, tourists will see the desert that stretches in the southern part. There are few surface waters in the country, but underground waters are located in the upper layers of the earth.

The climate in Mongolia is severe, continental type. Winters are frosty and summers are hot. The amount of precipitation increases to the north, 300-510 mm falls annually. Tourists recommend to go here in August. However, choose the date of the trip yourself, paying attention to the weather conditions in Mongolia by months.


Weather in Mongolia in January

In January, the air temperature in Mongolia is variable. During the day, the thermometer readings fluctuate from -23°С to +1°С. At night, the air temperature is within -24°C ... -2°C. 80% of the days in January are cloudy. This month has the fewest hours of sunshine per day, 1.7. One rainy day and two snowy days are recorded, up to 38 mm of precipitation falls. The wind speed reaches 3.8 m/s.


Weather in Mongolia in February

In February it gets a little warmer. The daytime air temperature is within -15°С…+2°С, and the night temperature fluctuates from -20°С to 0°С. Most of the days this month, like January, are cloudy, but the sun stays in the sky for more hours in a day. Precipitation drops to 28.5 mm. Snow does not fall in February. The speed of air masses is 3.7 m/s.


Weather in Mongolia in March

With the onset of spring, the thermometer drops below zero only at night. Daytime temperatures are in the range of +2°С…+8°С. There are more clear days and more hours of sunshine. It snows in March. Two rainy days are also recorded. The month receives 37.6 mm of precipitation. The average wind speed reaches 4.0 m/s.


Weather in Mongolia in April

The temperature regime of April does not differ significantly from that of March. The air temperature in the daytime ranges from +3°C to +10°C, and at night the thermometer drops to -3°C. The amount of precipitation is noticeably increasing, now 56.4 mm falls in 4 days. However, the rest of the days in the month are sunny. The wind subsides to 3.8 m/s.


Weather in Mongolia in May

The average air temperature during daylight hours in May is +12.5°C, and at night the thermometer is set at +6°C. 15 days out of 31 are clear, 10 are cloudy, and the remaining 5 are rainy in Mongolia. The amount of precipitation, as in the previous month, is 52 mm. Wind speed continues to decrease, gusts reach 3.4 m/s.


Weather in Mongolia in June

With the onset of summer, Mongolia becomes even rainier. In places, up to 60 mm of precipitation falls. 5 rainy days are registered. The wind speed remains the same, 3.4 m/s. It should be noted that in June the average daily number of hours of sunshine reaches its maximum, the sun stays in the sky for 11.4 hours out of 24. The air temperature in the daytime ranges from + 11 ° С to + 26 ° С, by the end of the month the thermometer reaches +29, 3°C. The night temperature range is within +6°С…+19°С.


Weather in Mongolia in July

The average daytime air temperature in July is set at +22.7°C, and at night the column slips to +14.9°C. Note that at the beginning of the month there are jumps up to + 30 ° C, so do not forget about a hat. July together with November are considered the rainiest months in Mongolia. Up to 65 mm of precipitation is recorded here. At the same time, the wind speed in July is at a minimum, 3 m/s.


Weather in Mongolia in August

After a rainy July, the amount of precipitation drops sharply. In August, 3 rainy days and 34 mm of precipitation are recorded. The strength of the air masses increases to 3.3 m/s. It is still sunny this month, the average daily number of hours reaches 10. The air temperature during daylight hours ranges from +16°C to +28°C, and at night the thermometer is set at +14°C.


Weather in Mongolia in September With the onset of autumn, the number of sunny hours per day decreases sharply, now it is only 6.7. In September, the air temperature in the daytime is in the range of +13°С…+24°С. At nighttime, temperature indicators are set within + 6 ° С ... + 9 ° С. Precipitation is more abundant this month. Drops 53 mm in 3 days. The wind speed increases to 3.4 m/s.


Weather in Mongolia in October

The average air temperature in October is set at +6.9°C, fluctuations are only a couple of degrees. At night, the thermometer readings are within +2.9°C, but frosts are recorded in places. Clear days are losing ground and now 20 days a month the sky is covered with clouds. The amount of precipitation is 37 mm, which falls in 3 days. The wind speed increases to 3.6 m/s.


Weather in Mongolia in November

In November, the thermometer drops below zero even during daylight hours. Average temperatures during the day are within 0°C ... + 1°C, and at night - -2.5°C. As already mentioned, November is the rainiest month in Mongolia. 65 mm of precipitation falls. However, compared to July, it is not only raining, but also snowing. The wind speed this month reaches 4 m/s.


Weather in Mongolia in December

In December, there are sharp jumps in temperature. It could be -5°C today and +9°C tomorrow. The average air temperature during daylight hours is -1°C, and at night - -3°C. The amount of precipitation is sharply reduced. One snowy and one rainy day is recorded. Drops out 36 mm. The average wind speed reaches 4.5 m/s, which makes December the windiest month in Mongolia.

Basic moments

Hundreds of kilometers of land separate Mongolia from the nearest seas. This is the second largest country on the planet after Kazakhstan, which does not have access to the oceans. Mongolia is also known for being the most sparsely populated among all sovereign states in the world, and its main city, Ulaanbaatar, is one of the coldest capitals along with Reykjavik, Helsinki, and Ottawa. But, despite such alarming records, the mysterious and original Mongolia does not cease to attract travelers. The birthplace of Genghis Khan is famous for its rich cultural and historical heritage, fantastic landscapes, diverse landscapes. Mongolia is called the "Land of the Eternal Blue Sky", because the sun shines here for more than 250 days a year.

The country has 22 national parks, most of them have a well-developed tourist infrastructure. Roads, hiking trails are laid along the protected areas, campsites, souvenir shops, cafes, bird and animal watching sites are equipped for tourists. In each of the parks, travelers are offered their own unique destinations and excursion programs. In Ulaanbaatar and Kharkhorin, which stands on the site of the ancient Mongolian capital, one can see monuments of Buddhist and Chinese architecture of world significance, in mountain caves along the rivers there are rock paintings by primitive artists, in the Mongolian steppes one can find stone steles with weathered images of ancient gods everywhere.

Tourists willingly go to Mongolia, who like adventure and exotic. They go to the desert or climb mountains, travel on horseback and camels. The range of active sports entertainment is very wide - from rafting on mountain rivers to paragliding. Ecologically clean reservoirs of Mongolia, where salmon, whitefish, sturgeon are found - the dream of lovers of nice fishing. There are separate programs in Mongolia for those who want to go on a yoga tour or hunt with a golden eagle.

All cities of Mongolia

History of Mongolia

Tribes of primitive people began to populate the territory of modern Mongolia at least 800,000 years ago, and scientists attribute the traces of Homo sapiens to these lands to the 40th millennium BC. e. Archaeological excavations show that the nomadic way of life, which determined the history, culture, traditions of the Mongols, established itself in these lands in 3500-2500 BC. e., when people reduced the cultivation of scarce land to a minimum, giving preference to nomadic pastoralism.

At different times, right up to the early Middle Ages, the tribes of the Huns, Xianbei, Juan, ancient Turks, Uighurs, Khitan were replaced, pushed aside and partially assimilated with each other in the Mongolian lands. Each of these peoples contributed to the formation of the Mongolian ethnic group, as well as the language - the Mongol-speaking of the ancient Khitans was authentically confirmed. The ethnonym "Mongol" in the form "mengu" or "mengu-li" first appeared in the Chinese historical annals of the Tang Dynasty (7th-10th centuries AD). The Chinese gave this name to the "barbarians" who roamed near their northern borders, and it probably corresponded to the self-name of the tribes themselves.

By the end of the 12th century, on the vast lands stretching from the Great Wall of China to Southern Siberia and from the upper reaches of the Irtysh to the Amur, numerous tribal tribes united in alliances roamed. At the beginning of the 13th century, Khan Temujin, who belonged to the ancient Mongol clan Borjigin, managed to unite most of these tribes under his rule. In 1206, at a kurultai - a congress of the Mongol nobility - other khans recognized Temujin's supremacy over themselves, proclaiming him the great kagan. The supreme ruler took the name Genghis. He became famous as the founder of the most extensive continental empire in the history of mankind, which extended its power over most of Eurasia.

Genghis Khan swiftly carried out a series of reforms to centralize power, created a powerful army and introduced strict discipline into it. Already in 1207, the Mongols conquered the peoples of Siberia, and in 1213 they invaded the territory of the Chinese state of Jin. In the first quarter of the 13th century, Northern China, Central Asia, the territories of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Armenia were under the rule of the Mongol Empire. In 1223, the Mongols appeared in the Black Sea steppes, on the Kalka River they crushed the combined Russian-Polovtsian troops. The Mongols pursued the surviving warriors to the Dnieper, invading the territory of Russia. Having studied the future theater of operations, they returned to Central Asia.

After the death of Genghis Khan in 1227, the unity of the Mongol Empire began to acquire only a nominal character. Its territory was divided into four uluses - the hereditary possessions of the sons of the great conqueror. Each of the uluses gravitated towards independence, only formally retaining subordination to the central region with its capital in Karakorum. In the future, Mongolia was ruled by the direct descendants of Genghis Khan - the Genghisids, who bore the titles of great khans. The names of many of them are imprinted on the pages of history books that tell about the times of the Mongol-Tatar occupation of Russia.

In 1260, Genghis Khan's grandson Kublai Khan became the Great Khan. Having conquered the Middle Kingdom, he proclaimed himself the Chinese emperor, the founder of the Yuan dynasty. On the lands conquered by the Mongols, Khubilai established a strict administrative order and introduced a strict system of taxes, but the ever-growing taxes caused more and more resistance from the conquered peoples. After a powerful anti-Mongol uprising in China (1378), the Yuan dynasty was defeated. Chinese troops invaded the territory of Mongolia and burned its capital, Karakorum. At the same time, the Mongols began to lose their positions in the West. In the middle of the 14th century, the star of a new great conqueror, Timur Tamerlane, rose, who defeated the Golden Horde in Central Asia. In 1380, on the Kulikovo field, Russian squads, led by Dmitry Donskoy, utterly defeated the Golden Horde, initiating the deliverance of Russia from the Mongol-Tatar yoke.

At the end of the 14th century, federalization processes intensified in feudal Mongolia. The collapse of the empire dragged on for 300 years, and as a result, three large ethnic formations were outlined on its territory, which in turn were divided into several khanates. In the 30s of the 17th century, the Manchu Qing dynasty, ruling in Northeast China, began to claim Mongolian lands. The first to be conquered were the southern Mongol khanates (now Inner Mongolia, an autonomous region of China), the last to fall under the rule of the Qing dynasty was the Dzungar Khanate, which resisted until 1758.

After the Xinhai Revolution (1911), which destroyed the Qing Empire, a national liberation movement unfolded throughout the former Mongol Empire, which led to the creation of a feudal-theocratic state - the Bogdo-Khan Mongolia. It consistently had the status of an independent power, a protectorate of the Russian Empire, an autonomy within China, whose ruler was the Buddhist leader Bogdo Gegen XVIII. In 1919, the Chinese annulled the autonomy, but two years later they were ousted from Urga (today Ulaanbaatar) by the division of the Russian General Ungern-Sternberg. The White Guards, in turn, were defeated by the troops of the Red Army. A People's Government was created in Urga, the power of the Bogdo Gegen was limited, and after his death in 1924, Mongolia was proclaimed a People's Republic. Until the end of World War II, only the USSR recognized its sovereignty.

Most of Mongolia is a vast plateau located at an altitude of 1000 m with mountain ranges, steppe expanses, and hilly valleys. The western lands are divided by a continuous chain of valleys and basins into mountainous regions - the Mongolian Altai with the highest point of the country, the city of Munkh-Khairkhan-Ula (4362 m), the Gobi Altai and Khangai, bounded in the south by the semi-desert Valley of Lakes, and in the West - by the Basin of the Big Lakes. In the northeast of Mongolia, near the border with Russia, the Khentei highlands are located. Its northern spurs stretch in Transbaikalia, and the southwestern ones, descending to the central part of the country, surround its capital - Ulaanbaatar. The southern regions of Mongolia are occupied by the rocky Gobi Desert. Administratively, the country is divided into 21 aimags, the capital has the status of an independent unit.

A quarter of the territory of Mongolia is covered by mountain steppes and forests. This belt, covering mainly the Khangai-Khentei and Altai mountain regions, as well as a small territory of the Khangan region, is the most favorable for life and, accordingly, the best developed region. In the steppe regions, people are engaged in agriculture, grazing livestock. In the floodplains of the rivers, water meadows with high forbs are often used as hayfields. The northern moist slopes of the mountains are covered with forests, mostly deciduous. The banks of the rivers are bordered by narrow strips of mixed forests, where poplar, willow, bird cherry, sea buckthorn, and birch predominate.

The forests are inhabited by deer, elk, roe deer, deer, brown bears, as well as fur-bearing animals - lynxes, wolverines, manuls, squirrels. There are many wolves, foxes, hares, wild boars in the mountain-steppe regions, ungulates live in the steppe, in particular gazelle antelopes, marmots, birds of prey, partridges.

Full-flowing rivers are born in the mountains. The largest of them is the Selenga (1024 km), which crosses Mongolia, then flows within Russian Buryatia and flows into Lake Baikal. Another large river - Kerulen (1254 km) - carries its waters to Lake Dalainor (Gulun-Nur), located in China. There are more than a thousand lakes on the territory of Mongolia, their number increases during the rainy season, but shallow seasonal reservoirs soon dry up. 400 km west of Ulaanbaatar, in a tectonic depression in the region of the Khangai Mountains, there is a large lake Khuvsgulcollecting the waters of 96 tributaries. This mountain lake lies at an altitude of 1646 m, its depth reaches 262 m. In terms of the composition of the water and the presence of a unique relict fauna, Lake Khubsugul is similar to Baikal, from which it is only 200 km away. The water temperature in the lake varies between +10...+14 °C.

Climate

Mongolia, located inland, is characterized by a sharply continental climate with long and extremely cold winters, short hot summers, capricious springs, dry air and incredible temperature changes. Precipitation is rare here, most of it falls in the summer. Winters in Mongolia have little or no snow, rare snowfalls are considered a natural disaster, as they do not allow livestock to get to feed in the steppe. The lack of snow cover cools the bare ground and leads to the formation of permafrost patches in the northern regions of the country. It is worth saying that nowhere else on the planet in similar latitudes is permafrost found. The rivers and lakes of Mongolia are covered with ice in winter, many reservoirs literally freeze to the bottom. They are free from ice for less than six months, from May to September.

In winter, the whole country falls under the influence of the Siberian anticyclone. This is where the atmospheric pressure is high. Weak winds rarely blow, they do not bring clouds. At this time, the sun reigns in the sky from morning to evening, illuminating and somewhat warming snowless cities, towns and pastures. The average temperature in January, the coldest month, ranges from -15°C in the south to -35°C in the northwest. In mountain hollows, frosty air stagnates, and the thermometers sometimes record a temperature of -50 °C.

In the warm season, Atlantic air masses approach Mongolia. True, overcoming a long journey over land, they waste their moisture. Its remnants go mainly to the mountains, especially their northern and western slopes. The least rain falls in the desert region of the Gobi. Summer in the country is warm, with an average daily temperature from north to south from +15 °С to +26 °С. In the Gobi Desert, the air temperature can exceed +50 °C; in this corner of the planet, characterized by an extreme climate, the amplitude of summer and winter temperatures is 113 °C.

Spring weather in Mongolia is extremely unstable. The air at this time becomes extremely dry, the winds carrying sand and dust sometimes reach the strength of a hurricane. Temperature fluctuations in a short period can be tens of degrees. Autumn here, on the contrary, is everywhere quiet, warm, sunny, but it lasts until the first days of November, the arrival of which marks the beginning of winter.

Culture and traditions

Mongolia is a mono-ethnic country. About 95% of its population are Mongols, a little less than 5% are peoples of Turkic origin who speak dialects of the Mongolian language, a small part are Chinese, Russians. The culture of the Mongols was originally formed under the influence of a nomadic lifestyle, later it was strongly influenced by Tibetan Buddhism.

Throughout the history of Mongolia, shamanism has been widely practiced here - an ethnic religion widespread among the nomads of Central Asia. Gradually, shamanism gave way to Tibetan Buddhism, this religion became official at the end of the 16th century. The first Buddhist temple was built here in 1586, and by the beginning of the 1930s there were more than 800 monasteries and about 3,000 temples in the country. During the years of militant atheism, religious buildings were closed or destroyed, thousands of monks were executed. In the 1990s, after the fall of communism, traditional religions began to revive. Tibetan Buddhism has returned to its dominant position, but shamanism continues to be practiced. The peoples of Turkic origin living here traditionally profess Islam.

Before the reign of Genghis Khan, there was no written language in Mongolia. The oldest work of Mongolian literature was The Secret History of the Mongols (or The Secret History), dedicated to the formation of the clan of the great conqueror. It was written after his death, in the first half of the 13th century. Old Mongolian writing, created on the basis of the alphabet borrowed from the Uighurs, existed with some changes until the middle of the 20th century. Today in Mongolia, the Cyrillic alphabet is used, which differs from the Russian alphabet by two letters: Ө and Y.

Mongolian music was formed under the influence of nature, nomadic lifestyle, shamanism, Buddhism. The symbol of the Mongolian nation is the traditional stringed musical instrument morin khur, the head of its neck is made in the form of a horse's head. Long, melodic Mongolian music usually accompanies solo singing. Epic national songs praise the native land or beloved horse, lyrical motifs are heard, as a rule, at weddings or family celebrations. Throat and overtone singing is also famous, which, with the help of a special breathing technique, creates the impression that the performer has two voices. Tourists are introduced to this original art form during ethnographic excursions.

The nomadic way of life of the Mongols found its expression in the local architecture. In the 16th-17th centuries, Buddhist temples were designed as rooms with six and twelve corners under a pyramidal roof, resembling the shape of a yurt, the traditional dwelling of the Mongols. Later, temples began to be built in the Tibetan and Chinese architectural traditions. The yurts themselves - mobile collapsible tent houses with a frame covered with felt felt, are still housing for 40% of the country's population. Their doors are still turned to the south - to the warmth, and in the northern, most honorable side of the yurt, they are always ready to welcome the guest.

The hospitality of the Mongols is legendary. According to one of them, Genghis Khan bequeathed to his people to always welcome travelers. And today, in the Mongolian steppes, nomads never refuse lodging and food to strangers. And the Mongols are very patriotic and united. It seems that they are all one big friendly family. They treat each other with warmth, calling strangers “sister”, “brother”, demonstrating that respectful relationships instilled in the family extend beyond its borders.

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All sights of Mongolia

Central Mongolia

In the middle of the Tuva (Central) aimag, the main city of the country, Ulaanbaatar, and its administratively subordinate territories are located as an enclave. Almost half of the population of Mongolia lives here. This bright original city, surrounded by a dense ring of yurts, impresses with its contrasts. High-rise buildings coexist here with ancient Buddhist monasteries, modern skyscrapers - with faceless buildings of the times of socialism. The capital has the best hotels, shopping centers, restaurants, nightclubs, and the National Amusement Park.

The city has many monuments dedicated to national heroes and masterpieces of religious architecture. The architectural symbol of Ulaanbaatar is the Gandan monastery, where 600 monks live permanently and religious ceremonies are held daily. The main attraction of the temple is a 26-meter statue of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, one of the most revered representatives of the Buddhist pantheon, covered with gold leaf. The Chinese architectural tradition is represented by the Bogd Gegen palace complex. The last ruler of Mongolia lived here until 1924.

In the bowels of the modern city, behind a palisade of skyscrapers, the beautiful temple complex of Choijin-lamyn-sum (Choyjin Lama Temple) hides. It includes several buildings, one of which houses the Museum of Tibetan-Mongolian Religious Art. There are about a dozen excellent museums with rich collections in Ulaanbaatar. The most famous of them are the National Museum of the History of Mongolia, the Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Fine Arts.

The near and far neighborhoods of Ulaanbaatar are incredibly picturesque, where national parks are located surrounded by mountains. Among them, the most famous Bogd-Khan-Uulsurrounding the mountain of the same name. In its gorge, according to legend, the young Genghis Khan hid from his enemies. A walking route runs through the park, leading to the top of the mountain, from where a spectacular panorama of Ulaanbaatar opens.

From the capital of Buryatia Ulan-Ude to Ulaanbaatar buses depart daily. Departure - at 07:00, arrival at the station at the railway station of Ulaanbaatar - at 20:00. The bus goes through the Mongolian cities of Sukhe Bator and Darkhan.