Mongolia, the country of blue sky is a very beautiful country lying in the bosom of Asia. It is an area of about 1,564,116 square kilometers-the 18th largest country in the world-and has a population of nearly 3.3 million. This country is recognized all over for its unique culture, historical heritage, and unmatched natural beauty.
### Geographic Location
Mongolia borders Russia to the north and China to the south. Geographically, Mongolia consists of high mountains, deep deserts, and steppes. The most famous desert of all is Gobi which offers breathtaking landscapes to attract foreign tourists. As a place with cool and dry weather, this country has temperatures plummeting to as low as -40 degrees centigrade in winter.
### History
The history of Mongolia is a treasure house of rich and diverse personalities, of which the most striking is perhaps that of Genghis Khan, who laid the broad foundation of an extensive Mongol Empire in the 13th century. It was due to his bravery and war skills that Mongolia once ruled most parts of Asia and even Europe. It boasted of having one of the largest empires in the world.
### Culture
The culture of Mongolia is famous for its tradition-lifestyle and folk arts. Most of the people in this country are nomads, living in tents made out of wool, or 'Ger'. The folk music and dances here are famous in the world. The main sports here are Mongolian camel riding and horse riding as well as Mongolian wrestling. Traditional Mongolian dishes also include the amazing diversity of meat, milk products, and grains.
### Politics and Economy
Mongolia is a democratic republic with elections, for both the President and Parliament. The economy of Mongolia is mostly dependent on mineral deposits such as coal, copper, gold, and uranium. A significant part of economic growth springs from agricultural activities and livestock breeding today. The grasslands in Mongolia are rich in camels, horses, sheep, and cows, which boost the local economy.
### Climate Change and Environment
Mongolia's natural beauty is peerless, but because of climate change and human activities such problems are increasing. Poor pasture utilization of grassland and the process of urbanization have distorted the ecology badly. Also, the over-exploitation of and pollution in water resources are very worrying issues.
### Current Perspective
Today, Mongolia is progressing at a fast pace. It is seen as developing an increasing number of job opportunities in mining and explorations. However, maintaining the culture and traditions here does pose a challenge to the people.
Mongolia is a great country rich in history, distinct culture and natural beauty. Traveling here is not less than a dream and offers a unique experience. Every person must visit this beautiful country, as it would surely make a difference in his life.