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Mongolia -

This vast nation of steppe and desert boasts just three million people, making it the most sparsely populated fully sovereign country in the world.

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The Mongolian nomad -

Of the three million people living in Mongolia, an estimated 35% of them choose to live as nomadic herders.

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Nomadic culture - For many, the nomadic lifestyle is central to their culture and identity.

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Ulaanbaatar -

The Mongolian capital is the country's vibrant, industrialized hub. It's also one of the coldest capital cities in the world.

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Government Palace, Ulaanbaatar -

Dominating Ulaanbaatar's Sükhbaatar Square, the capital's seat of government is especially alluring after dark, when the facade is illuminated.

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Orkhon River Valley -

UNESCO lists the Orkhon River Valley landscape as representing the evolution of nomadic pastoral traditions spanning more than two millennia.

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Orkhon River Valley-Karakorum -

The valley contains the ruins of Genghis Khan's capital Karakorum, among other cultural must-sees.

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Gobi Desert -

The Gobi covers 30% of Mongolian territory, though only 5% of its total area is sand dunes. The rest is made up of mountains and steppe.

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Gobi Desert-Flaming Cliffs - Notable in history as part of the great Mongol Empire, the Gobi is a goldmine of ancient architecture. It's also renowned for giving up important archaeological riches—the first dinosaur eggs were discovered at the Flaming Cliffs.

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Naadam Festival -

The highlight of the country's festival calendar, Naadam is a refined and eloquent expression of Mongolia's nomadic culture.

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Naadam Festival - Combining displays of wrestling, horsemanship, and archery ("three games of men") with music, singing, and dancing, festivities take place across the country.

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Naadam Festival - The festival's Deeltei Mongol Naadam ceremony celebrates Mongolian culture, ethnic traditional clothing, folk art, and heritage.

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Naadam Festival - Colorful and exuberant, Naadam takes place in mid-July as part of Mongolia's traditional midsummer celebrations.

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Horse culture -

Horses play a hugely important role in Mongol society. In fact, Mongolia is the top-ranked country for the highest number of horses per capita, notes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia.

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Horse culture -

Held in high prestige, horses serve as working animals, and are also raced. A nomad with many horses is considered wealthy, but the animals are not an expensive luxury item as in Western culture.

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Takhin Tal National Park -

A herd of rare and endangered Przewalski's horses trots across an area of the park known as the Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area, in southwest Mongolia.

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Khustain Nuruu National Reserve -

This reserve, established in 1993, also numbers Przewalski's horses among its varied wildlife, which includes the equally scarce saiga antelope.

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Mongolian camel - Wild camels roaming the steppe near the Takhin Tal National Park. Mongolia is home to the critically endangered wild Bactrian camel, found in small pockets in the south.

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Bayan-Ölgii -

Hunting with eagles is a traditional form of falconry carried out on horseback. Using golden eagles to prey on foxes and hares, many riders are of Kazakhstani descent.

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Bayan-Ölgii - While the golden eagle is generally the raptor of choice, northern goshawks, peregrine falcons, and saker falcons are also trained to hunt.

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Bayan-Ölgii -

Eagle hunting customs are displayed with considerable flair at the annual Golden Eagle Festival, held during the first weekend of October.

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The ger - A distinctive feature of everyday life in Central Asia for 3,000 years, the ger is a traditional rounded dwelling used by nomads.

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The ger -

Typically covered with skins or felt, the ger is ideally suited to Mongolia's harsh terrain and lifestyle.

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Yolyn Am - This dramatic mountain gorge is located in the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park. It's also known as the "Valley of the Eagles" after the golden eagle and other birds of prey.

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Erdene Zuu Khiid Monastery -

Founded in 1586, this was the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. Described as a treasure of the nation, the temple is located in Kharkhorin.

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Otgon Tenger Mountain -

The Otgon Tenger is the highest peak in the Khangai Range. Its isolated position and permanent snowcap make it a familiar landmark.

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Khögnö Khan Uul Nature Reserve -

The Mongolian landscape is marked by Ovoos, sacred stone heaps used as altars or shrines. They are often found on high ground and mountain summits.

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Amarbayasgalant Monastery -

Dating back to the early 18th century, this is one of Mongolia's most important monasteries. Its name translates as "Monastery of Tranquil Felicity."

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Genghis Khan Statue Complex -

The world's largest equestrian statue depicts the fearsome Emperor of the Mongols astride his steed. The monument is located 54 km (33.5 mi) east of Ulaanbaatar.

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Mongolian Plateau -

A common sight in Mongolia, horses along with goats and camels, roam freely throughout the country.

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Bogd Khan Mountain National Park -

Nestling in a valley are the ruins of an 18th-century monastery (also called Manjusri), which was destroyed during the Stalinist purges of the 1930s. An onsite museum chronicles its history.

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Mongolian shamanism -

Mongolian shamanism, also referred to as Mongolian folk religion, is a centuries-old practice, and deeply rooted to all aspects of social life. Don't be surprised to meet a shaman (pictured) during your travels.

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Tsagaan Sar -

Celebrated in bone-chilling daytime temperatures as low as -32°C, Tsagaan Sar—the Mongolian Lunar New Year—sees many revelers donning national Mongol costumes.

Sources: ( Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia)

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