2003 Edition

Administrative divisions

21 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag) and 1 municipality* (singular - hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan, Darhan Uul, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan, Govi-Altay, Govi-Sumber, Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Orhon, Ovorhangay, Selenge, Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs

Age structure

0-14 years: 30.7% (male 423,081; female 408,119) 15-64 years: 65.7% (male 890,482; female 892,140) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 42,292; female 56,201) (2003 est.)

Agriculture - products

wheat, barley, potatoes, forage crops; sheep, goats, cattle, camels, horses

Airports

50 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways

total

10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9

under 914 m

1 (2002)

Airports - with unpaved runways

over 3,047 m

3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 3

total

40

under 914 m

12 (2002) Military Mongolia

Area

land

1,555,400 sq km

total

1.565 million sq km

water

9,600 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Alaska

Background

The Mongols gained fame in the 13th century when under Genghis KHAN they conquered a huge Eurasian empire. After his death the empire was divided into several powerful Mongol states, but these broke apart in the 14th century. The Mongols eventually retired to their original steppe homelands and came under Chinese rule. 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 to the Democratic Union Coalition (DUC), which defeated the MPRP in a national election in 1996. Over the next four years, the DUC put forward a number of key reforms to modernize the economy and to democratize the political system. The former Communists were a strong opposition that stalled additional restructuring and made implementation difficult. In 2000, the MPRP won an overwhelming victory in the legislature - with 72 of the 76 seats - and completely reshuffled the government. While it continues many of the reform policies, the MPRP has focused on social welfare and public order priorities. Geography Mongolia

Birth rate

21.39 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$427 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.)

revenues

$386 million

Capital

Ulaanbaatar

Climate

desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges)

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Constitution

12 February 1992

Country name

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Mongolia

former

Outer Mongolia

local long form

none

local short form

Mongol Uls

Currency

togrog/tugrik (MNT)

Currency code

MNT

Death rate

7.18 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Debt - external

$913 million (2001 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Pamela J. Slutz

embassy

Micro Region 11, Big Ring Road, C.P.O. 1021, Ulaanbaatar 13

mailing address

PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002

telephone

[976] (11) 329095

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007

chief of mission

Ambassador Ravdangiyn BOLD

consulate(s) general

New York

Disputes - international

none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

Distribution of family income - Gini index

33.2 (1995)

Economic aid - recipient

$208.7 million (1999 est.)

Economy - overview

Economic activity traditionally has been based on agriculture and breeding of livestock. Mongolia also has extensive mineral deposits; copper, coal, molybdenum, tin, tungsten, and gold account for a large part of industrial production. Soviet assistance, at its height one-third of GDP, disappeared almost overnight in 1990-1991 at the time of the dismantlement of the USSR. Mongolia was driven into deep recession, prolonged by the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party's (MPRP) reluctance to undertake serious economic reform. The Democratic Coalition (DC) government embraced free-market economics, eased price controls, liberalized domestic and international trade, and attempted to restructure the banking system and the energy sector. Major domestic privatization programs were undertaken, as well as the fostering of foreign investment through international tender of the oil distribution company, a leading cashmere company, and banks. Reform was held back by the ex-Communist MPRP opposition and by the political instability brought about through four successive governments under the DC. Economic growth picked up in 1997-1999 after stalling in 1996 due to a series of natural disasters and declines in world prices of copper and cashmere. In August and September 1999, the economy suffered from a temporary Russian ban on exports of oil and oil products, and Mongolia remains vulnerable in this sector. Mongolia joined the World Trade Organization (WTrO) in 1997. The international donor community pledged over $300 million per year at the Consultative Group Meeting, held in Ulaanbaatar in June 1999. The MPRP government, elected in July 2000, is anxious to improve the investment climate; it must also deal with a heavy burden of external debt. Falling prices for Mongolia's mainly primary sector exports, widespread opposition to privatization, and adverse effects of weather on agriculture in early 2000 and 2001 restrained real GDP growth in 2000-2001. Despite drought problems in 2002, GDP rose 4.0%, followed by a solid 5.0% increase in 2003. The first applications under the land privatization law have been marked by a number of disputes over particular sites. Russia claims Mongolia owes it $11 billion from the old Soviet period; any settlement could substantially increase Mongolia's foreign debt burden.

Electricity - consumption

2.194 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports

25 million kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports

196 million kWh (2001)

Electricity - production

2.225 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

100%

hydro

0%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Nayramadlin Orgil (Huyten Orgil) 4,374 m

lowest point

Hoh Nuur 518 m

Environment - current issues

limited natural fresh water resources in some areas; the policies of former Communist regimes promoted rapid urbanization and industrial growth that had negative effects on the environment; the burning of soft coal in power plants and the lack of enforcement of environmental laws severely polluted the air in Ulaanbaatar; deforestation, overgrazing, and the converting of virgin land to agricultural production increased soil erosion from wind and rain; desertification and mining activities had a deleterious effect on the environment

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Ethnic groups

Mongol (predominantly Khalkha) 85%, Turkic (of which Kazakh is the largest group) 7%, Tungusic 4.6%, other (including Chinese and Russian) 3.4% (1998)

Exchange rates

togrogs/tugriks per US dollar - 1,134 (2002), 1,097.7 (2001), 1,076.67 (2000), 1,021.87 (1999), 840.83 (1998)

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the State Great Hural in consultation with the president

chief of state

President Natsagiyn BAGABANDI (since 20 June 1997)

election results

Natsagiyn BAGABANDI reelected president; percent of vote - Natsagiyn BAGABANDI (MPRP) 58.13%, Radnaasumbereliyn GONCHIGDORJ (DP) 36.58%, Luvsandamba DASHNYAM (CWP) 3.54%, other 1.75%; Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR elected prime minister by a vote in the State Great Hural of 68 to 3

elections

president nominated by parties in the State Great Hural and elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 20 May 2001 (next to be held NA May 2005); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the State Great Hural; election last held 2 July 2000 (next to be held NA 2004)

head of government

Prime Minister Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR (since 26 July 2000)

Exports

$501 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities

copper, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool, hides, fluorspar, other nonferrous metals

Exports - partners

China 43.8%, US 33.6%, Russia 9.6% (2002)

FAX

[1] (202) 298-9227

[976] (11) 320776

telephone

[1] (202) 333-7117

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Mongolia

Flag description

three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and red; centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national emblem ("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang symbol) Economy Mongolia

GDP

purchasing power parity - $5.06 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

32%

industry

23%

services

45% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

3.9% (2002 est.)

Geographic coordinates

46 00 N, 105 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia People Mongolia

Government type

parliamentary

Highways

paved

1,724 km

total

49,250 km

unpaved

47,526 km (2000)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

less than 100 (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

24.5% (1995)

lowest 10%

2.9%

Imports

$659 million c.i.f. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, fuels, food products, industrial consumer goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, tea

Imports - partners

Russia 32%, China 19.4%, South Korea 12.1%, US 9.1%, Germany 4.7%, Japan 4.3% (2002)

Independence

11 July 1921 (from China)

Industrial production growth rate

4.1% (2002 est.)

Industries

construction materials, mining (coal, copper, molybdenum, fluorspar, and gold); oil; food and beverages, processing of animal products

Infant mortality rate

female

53.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)

male

60.75 deaths/1,000 live births

total

57.16 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3% (2002 est.)

International organization participation

ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (observer), CP (provisional), EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Internet country code

.mn

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

5 (2001)

Internet users

40,000 (2002) Transportation Mongolia

Irrigated land

840 sq km (1998 est.)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (serves as appeals court for people's and provincial courts but rarely overturns verdicts of lower courts; judges are nominated by the General Council of Courts for approval by the president)

Labor force

1.4 million (2001)

Labor force - by occupation

primarily herding/agricultural

Land boundaries

border countries

China 4,677 km, Russia 3,485 km

total

8,162 km

Land use

arable land

0.84%

other

99.16% (1998 est.)

permanent crops

0%

Languages

Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian (1999)

Legal system

blend of Soviet, German, and US systems of law that combines aspects of a parliamentary system with some aspects of a presidential system; constitution ambiguous on judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral State Great Hural (76 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MPRP 72, other 4

elections

last held 2 July 2000 (next to be held NA July 2004)

Life expectancy at birth

female

66.09 years (2003 est.)

male

61.63 years

total population

63.81 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99% (2003 est.) Government Mongolia

male

99.2%

total population

99.1%

Location

Northern Asia, between China and Russia

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Median age

female

23.9 years (2002)

male

23.2 years

total

23.5 years

Military branches

Mongolian Armed Forces (includes General Purpose Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Civil Defense Troops); note - Border Troops are under Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs in peacetime

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$23.1 million (FY02)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

2.2% (FY02) Transnational Issues Mongolia

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49

796,449 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49

516,502 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - military age

18 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males

32,529 (2003 est.)

National holiday

Independence Day/Revolution Day, 11 July (1921)

Nationality

adjective

Mongolian

noun

Mongolian(s)

Natural hazards

dust storms, grassland and forest fires, drought, and "zud", which is harsh winter conditions

Natural resources

oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel, zinc, wolfram, fluorspar, gold, silver, iron, phosphate

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Oil - consumption

8,750 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA (2001)

Oil - imports

NA (2001)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Political parties and leaders

Citizens' Will Party or CWP (also called Civil Will Party or Civil Courage Party) [Sanjaasurengyn OYUN]; Democratic Party or DP [D. DORLIGJAN]; Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party or MPRP [Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR]; Mongolian New Socialist Democratic Party or MNSDP [B. ERDENEBAT]; Mongolian Republican Party or MRP [B. JARGALSAIHAN]

note

the MPRP is the ruling party

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Population

2,712,315 (July 2003 est.)

Population below poverty line

36% (2001 est.)

Population growth rate

1.42% (2003 est.)

Ports and harbors

none

Radio broadcast stations

AM 7, FM 9, shortwave 4 (2001)

Radios

155,900 (1999)

Railways

1,815 km

broad gauge

1,815 km 1.524-m gauge (2002)

Religions

Tibetan Buddhist Lamaism 96%, Muslim (primarily in the southwest), Shamanism, and Christian 4% (1998)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telephone system

domestic

NA

general assessment

very low density: about 3.5 telephones for each thousand persons

international

satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean Region)

Telephones - main lines in use

104,100 (1999)

Telephones - mobile cellular

110,000 (2001)

Television broadcast stations

4 (plus 18 provincial repeaters and many low power repeaters) (1999)

Televisions

168,800 (1999)

Terrain

vast semidesert and desert plains, grassy steppe, mountains in west and southwest; Gobi Desert in south-central

Total fertility rate

2.28 children born/woman (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate

20% (2000)

Waterways

400 km (1999)