Ulaanbaatar, capital of Mongolia where half of the country's population lives, with services as their main occupation. The total population of this country is around three million inhabitants. The population density is one inhabitant for 2.1 km2. A quarter of the population is nomadic and lives from farming. I had the opportunity to live with many of these people on the two occasions I traveled to these lands. The first in 2011 and the second, traveling by train (Trans-Siberian)...
Mongolia was inhabited by tribes, each one had its own rules and laws, warring with each other or submitting. In this context appears in 1209, a chief of tribe, Temujin Borgjin, later adopts the name Genghis Khan. He was a much feared warrior who was dominated by alliances or by force of arms, destroying villages, looting and killing. Thus was born the largest Empire in the World, the Mongol Empire between 1209 and 1368. His successors continued with the conquests with a territorial extension of 20 million km2, four times larger than the territory of the Roman Empire. Stretching from the Pacific Ocean to Europe, occupying 20% of the planet's territory,
The greatness of the empire is the cause of its decline.
In 1924 the Bolshevik revolution in Russia resulted in the constitution of the USSR. Thus, Mongolia, with its internal problems, approaches the USSR, becoming an autonomous Republic.
With the breakup of the Soviet Union, the Mongolia dependent country seeks its destiny to "democracy". Today its economy is very much linked to China...
The predominant religion is Buddhism, the number of believers is 83%. During the trip we visited several monasteries...
In the course of these trips, in addition to the shows I attended twice in the capital, I emphasize the Canto Gotoral and the orchestra with only traditional instruments. Ballet also allows you to enjoy unforgettable moments...
In Bugan we had the Festival of Nadam, with manifestations of musical, sportive character, standing out the Mongolian wrestling. Horse racing is so important that nomads first learn to ride a horse and only then learn to walk...
Traditional costumes, especially hats, determine social class, age, sex, ethnicity. The most important ethnicity is the "pants", about 84% of nomads. They move two to five times a year, looking for pastures and escaping the rigors of winter. It reaches an average temperature of -25 degrees, however temperatures of -40 degrees have already been recorded. For these reasons they move with the Gers, houses covered with felt blankets, comfort is increased by wood-burning heaters. We know them in our land by the name of salamanders. They produce and consume a typical drink of the country, the Kumis made from mare's milk...
Raising cattle, sheep and goats is the main source of wealth for nomads.
This country in the North and West is mountainous with altitudes reaching 4374 meters in the Altai mountain range. In the south, the highlands and the Goby Desert predominate.
Mongolia exports raw materials: copper, iron, crude oil, gold, and tin. It also exports meat and milk...
The Gers are the detachable houses as these images demonstrate, with the help of naturals we set up a Ger, where we live and eat with them and participate in their daily lives.
This is my favorite way to travel...
Idem...
The two times I was in this country were always in the summer. We got snow and the temperature fluctuated between ten and 15 degrees.
Mongolian National Orchestra and parade of various institutions, schools, unions. Still remembering the recent past of its People's Republic...
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