Outer Mongolia

Qing dynasty and Mongolia

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ROC Div Menggu

1914 map of Asia

Mongolia 1915

Outer Mongolia refers to the region that constitutes the independent country of Mongolia, located in East Asia, bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south. Historically, the term "Outer Mongolia" was used to differentiate it from "Inner Mongolia," a region that is now an autonomous area within China. This distinction dates back to the Qing Dynasty when both regions were part of the empire but administered differently.

History

The history of Outer Mongolia is marked by the rise and fall of nomadic empires, most notably the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan in the 13th century, which became the largest contiguous empire in history. After the collapse of the Mongol Empire, the area that is now Mongolia came under Chinese control, becoming part of the Qing Dynasty in the 17th century. In the early 20th century, Outer Mongolia declared independence from China, but it wasn't until 1921, with the help of the Soviet Union, that it effectively gained autonomy, later becoming the Mongolian People's Republic in 1924.

Geography

Outer Mongolia is known for its vast landscapes, which include mountains, forests, deserts, and steppes. The Gobi Desert, one of the world's largest deserts, is a significant feature of the region's geography. Mongolia's climate is continental, characterized by extreme temperature variations between seasons. The country is also home to the Altai Mountains and the Lake Khövsgöl, one of the deepest lakes in Asia.

Culture

The culture of Outer Mongolia is deeply influenced by the nomadic heritage of its people. Traditional practices such as yurt living, horse riding, and the annual Naadam festival, which showcases Mongolian wrestling, horse racing, and archery, are central to Mongolian identity. The Mongolian language is the official language, and Buddhism is the predominant religion, having been reintroduced after the fall of communism in the early 1990s.

Economy

Mongolia's economy is traditionally based on herding and agriculture, but in recent decades, it has increasingly relied on mining, particularly coal, copper, and gold. The mining sector has contributed to rapid economic growth but also to significant environmental and social challenges.

Modern Mongolia

Today, Mongolia is a parliamentary republic, with a president serving as the head of state and a prime minister as the head of government. Its capital and largest city, Ulaanbaatar, is the cultural, economic, and political heart of the country. Despite its vast land area, Mongolia has one of the lowest population densities in the world, with a significant portion of its population still engaged in nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyles.