Mongolia The Country of “Blue Sky” http://www.featurepics.com/online/Map-Mongolia-Mongolian-Flag-Illustrations249996.aspx

Population Statistics Total Population- 3,133,318(2011)/ 135th largest Population Increase- 1.489% per yr. (2011)/ 80th largest Ulaanbaatar(capital)- 949,000(2009) (Denver=2,000,000)

Mongolia Tribal Men http://www.welcome2mongolia.com/archives/population-of-mongolia/

Mongolian Population Density Map http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/media/73662/Population-density-of-Mongolia

Young Horse Jockey http://danny.oz.au/travel/mongolia/herd-animals.html

Religion Buddhist Lamaist 50% Atheist 30% None 10% Shamanist and Christian 6% Muslim 4%

Russian-Mongolian Buddhist Temple http://www.all-creatures.org/articles/rf-russian.html

Dali Lama Visits Ulaanbaatar http://www.ryu.titech.ac.jp/~ysep/student/ysep2006/present/mongol/mongolia.htm

Government Official Name- Mongolia Type- Parliament Capital- Ulaanbaatar(Ulan Batar) Independence- July 11 1991 (from China) Constitution- January 13 1992 Vote- 18; universal President- Tsakhia Elbegdor(USA) Prime Minister- Sukhabaatar Batbold Legal System- Civil Law (Soviet influence) Flag- light blue=national color, red=used Communism, now progress, Buddhist symbols Symbol- Soyombo Emblem

Mongolia Political Map http://www.ezilon.com/maps/asia/mongolia-maps.html

Mongolian Government Building http://www.panoramio.com/photo/29301288

Ulaanbaatar http://tsenduush09.blogspot.com/2011/04/ulaanbaatar.html

Economy Traditionally based on herding/agriculture Mineral deposits = Foreign investors Copper, gold, coal, molybdenum ,uranium and tin Soviet Union was a major investor After USSR collapse Mongolia sank into a recession Natural Disasters(1990’s) Drought(2000’s) GDP Increase from 2003-2008 of 30% Hit by Global Financial Crisis of 2008 Moved out of crisis in early 2009 GDP- 6.125billion (2010) GDP Growth- 6.1% Unemployment- 11.5% (2009) Services 61% Agriculture 34% (wheat, barley, vegetables, sheep, goats, horses, cattle, camels) Industry 5% (construction, mining, oil, animal processing)

Mongolian Tögrög http://www.business-mongolia.com/mongolia/2008/04/28/abatsukh-tugrug-rate-is-getting-tightened/

Currency The tögrög or tugrik is the official currency of Mongolia. 5 tögrög: a piece of candy is used to make change of 5Tg 10 tögrög: a couple pieces of candy 200 tögrög: a ride across town on a regular bus in Ulaanbaatar 250 tögrög: a 250 ml bottle of coke from a supermarket 400 tögrög: average price of a bottle of water 700 tögrög: the cheapest meal at a tsainii gazar, or small restaurant 3000 tögrög: About what you pay for a Taxi ride across city center 10,000 tögrög a lodging at a tourist hostel in Ulaanbaatar The tögrög or tugrik is the official currency of Mongolia. In 2010, the tögrög was the best-performing currency world-wide.

History 1206-63 - Following unification of the Mongol tribes, Genghis Khan launches a campaign of conquest. His sons and grandsons create the world's biggest land empire. 1267-1368 - Weakened by disunity, the empire ends. 1636 - The Manchu (Qing) empire conquers the southern Mongols, creating Inner Mongolia. 1691 - The Qing empire offers protection to the northern Mongols, creating Outer Mongolia. 1727 - The Treaty of Kyakhta fixes the western border between the Russian and Manchu empires, confirming Qing dominion over Mongolia 1911 - The Qing dynasty falls and Outer Mongolia declares its independence. Russia and the Republic of China recognise its autonomy. 1919 - The Chinese army occupies Outer Mongolia. 1921 - With Red Army support, Mongolian revolutionaries drive out Chinese and Tsarist forces and install the Mongolian "people's government". 1924 - The People's Party chooses Lenin's "road to socialism bypassing capitalism" and renames itself the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP). The Mongolian People's Republic is proclaimed. 1945-46 - Yalta conference agrees to preserve the status quo (i.e. Soviet control) in Mongolia. Mongolians vote for independence in a UN plebiscite. Mongolia is recognized by the Republic of China. 1949-55 - Relations established with the People's Republic of China. Railway built across Mongolia linking Russia and China. 1966 - Soviet Communist Party General-Secretary Brezhnev signs a friendship treaty in Ulan Bator allowing secret stationing of Soviet troops in Mongolia. 1990 - Street demonstrations force resignation of the MPRP Politburo. Political parties are legalised. Elections to the Great Hural (parliament) are won by the MPRP, but 19 of the 50 seats in a new standing legislature go to non-communists.

Mongol Warriors Under Genghis Khan http://www.historyofjihad.org/mongolia.html

George Bush With Mongol Horseman http://www.historyofjihad.org/mongolia.html

Climate Northern Hemisphere temperature zone Average altitude of 1500m above sea level Surrounded by high mountain chains Extreme continental climate Winter- long, cold, November-April (-13°F) Summer- hot, short, July- September (65°F) 250 sunny days a year I LOVE DICKS

Mongolia Landscape http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g293955-Mongolia-Vacations.html

Geography Location- Northern Asia between China and Russia Area- 1,1564,116sq km(Alaska)/19th largest Terrain- semi desert; desert plains; grassy steppe; mountains in west and south west; Gobi Desert in south central Highest Point- Nayramadin Orgil 4,370m Lowest Point- Hoh Nuur 560m

Mongolia Physical Map http://www.e-mongol.com/mongolia_geography.htm

Language Khalkha Mongol 90% Turkic or Russian 10% Useful Phrases Hello-Сайн уу? (Sain uu?) Goodbye-Баяртай (Bayartai) Good Morning-Өглөөний мэнд (Öglöönii mend) Good Night-Сайхан амраарай (Saikhan amraarai) Good luck-Амжилт хүсье (Amjilt husey) I love you-Би чамд хайртай (Bi chamd khairtai) Help- Туслаарай! (Tuslaarai!) Thank you-Баярлалаа (Bayarlalaa) I speak a little Mongolian-Тийм, би монгол хэл жаахан мэднэ (Tiym, bi mongol hel zhaahan medne)

Mongolian Alphabet http://www.suvda.com/personal.php?p=script

Requirements Valid USA Passport No VISA (unless staying more than three months) (if American citizen) No vaccinations needed Tap water safe to drink although mineral water is recommended

Passports http://www.uspassportnow.com/blog/passports-child-support-connection/

Best Time To Visit May through September Peak in July for Naadam Festival Best time to visit Gobi is in June or September

Where Mongolia, China, Kazakhstan, and Russia meet. http://www.rickety.us/2009/12/12-beautiful-mongolian-landscape-photographs/

Sunset in Mongolia http://www.rickety.us/2009/12/12-beautiful-mongolian-landscape-photographs/

Regional Foods Consists of dairy products, meat, and animal fats Vegetables and spices limited Influenced by China and Russia Nomads sustained by cattle, horses, camels, yaks, sheep and goats Cook or make into soups or dumplings Animal fat to withstand cold and hard work Use milk and cream to make beverages and cheese Usually cook in cast-iron or aluminum pots over small stoves; using wood or animal dung as fuel Most common dish- cooked mutton Most common beverage- Airag (fermented mare’s milk) Most common dessert- Boortsog (biscuit or cookie) “Buuz”- Meat filled steamed dumplings Various stews and noodle soups Make milk liquor called Shiniin Arkhi Horse meat is eaten and found in grocery stores “Mongolian Grill”(1st American Chain in Mongolia) Is more Japanese than Mongolian

Traditional Roast Mongolian Lamb http://www.itourbeijing.com/china-travel/inner-mongolia-guide/mongolian-lamb-dinner.htm

Attractions Terelj National Park Gobi Desert Ulaanbaatar Ulaanbaatar is on the bank of the Tuul River and spreads from east to west along a large wide valley. The city is surrounded by the four mountains: Bogd Khan, Songino Khairkhan, Chingeltei and Bayanzurkh. The combination of these pine covered mountains, wide boulevards, vast public squares and parks give the city a feeling of spaciousness, while the Ger communities, Buddhist temples, and bustling marketplaces give it a rustic charm. Gandan Monastery Gandan is the largest and most important monastery of Mongolia, with over 400 monks. Inside is a statue of Magjid Janraisig (the lord who looks in every direction). It is about 25 meters tall and is covered by a huge number of precious stones. Sukhbaatar Square This large and famous landmark is the heart of Ulaanbaatar where the Parliament, the Government House, Stock Exchange, and many other important establishments are concentrated. Terelj National Park Terelj, on the Terelj river bank is a spectacular valley with eroded rock formations, pine-covered mountains and grasslands carpeted with perennial wildflowers and edelweiss. It was first developed for tourism in 1964 and 30 years later became part of the 300,000 hectare Gorkhi Tereli National Park. Gobi Desert The Gobi Desert is a vast zone of desert and desert steppe covering almost 30 percent of the Mongolian territory. The area is often imagined as a lifeless desert like in many other parts of the world. In reality, most part of the Gobi Desert is a land of steppes and it is the home for camel breeders rich with wildlife and vegetation. Dinosaur skeletons and their petrified eggs have been preserved here to the present day. Mongolians consider that there are 33 different Gobi, where sandy desert occupies only 3 percent of the total territory.

Ulaanbaatar http://www.ulaanbaatar.mn/

Gobi Desert http://www.rickety.us/2009/12/12-beautiful-mongolian-landscape-photographs/

Terelj National Park http://www.rickety.us/2009/12/12-beautiful-mongolian-landscape-photographs/

Gandan Monastery http://www.tibettravel.org/tibettravel/html/200632011831-1.Html

Sukhbaatar Square http://www.mad-mongolia.com/news/mongolia-news/civil-movement-members-put-up-gers-in-sukhbaatar-square-5435/

Current Events Jargal de Facto: More Grants, Less Labor in Mongolian Desert Why Not Outsource the Government?

Mongolian Russian Government Meeting http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=276840

Itinerary Day Four- Day Five- Day Six- Day Seven- Day One- Day Two- Leave LAX around 10:30pm Day Two- Arrive in ULN(Chinggis Khan International Airport) around 4:00pm Check into Kempinski Hotel Khan Palace for two nights Day Three- Explore Ulaanbaatar City Picnic on the Tuul River Visit a Buddhist temples, and marketplace Day Four- Vistit Sukhbaatar Square Tour the Parliament, the Government House, and Stock Exchange, Day Five- Take bus to Gandan Monastery in Ulaanbaatar Take train to Terelj National Park outside Ulaanbaatar Take train from Ulaanbaatar to Darhan, Erdenet, Bulgan back to Ulaanbaatar Day Six- Take train to the Gobi Desert follow a tour Day Seven- Leave ULN around 8:30am Arrive in LAX around 11:00pm

Expenses Food- $15 Breakfast(7-Days)- $4 Lunch(7-Days)- $4 Flight (Round Trip)- $1,807.50 Room & Board- $827 Hotel(Kempinski Hotel Khan Palace)- $433 Hotel(Ramada Ulaanbaatar Citycenter)- $167 Hotel(Edelweiss Hotel)- $227 Transportation- $80.00 Bus(7-Day Bus Pass)- $0.50 Train(5-Day Train Pass)- $79.67 Food- $15 Breakfast(7-Days)- $4 Lunch(7-Days)- $4 Dinner(7-Days)- $7 Spending Money(Trinkets, Memorabilia, Souvenir)- $100 Total- $2,829

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