English Transcript

Last Updated 06/09/2007 16:02:00

Introduction
The Mongols have a long and rich history, and were once in control of the largest empire the world has ever known Today Mongolia is one of the few countries to retain its ancient nomadic traditions and culture Wedged between China and Russia, the landlocked country is embracing democratic and economic reforms after decades of Soviet-style communist rule

Full country name: Mongolian People's Republic
Population: 28 million
Languages: Khalkha Mongol, Turkic, Russian
Religion: Buddhism
Ethnic diversity: Mongol (95%), Turkic (5%)
Life expectancy: 66 years (women), 62 years (men)
Literacy: 99 per cent
Capital: Ulaan Baatar
Total land area: 1,565,000 square kilometres
Border countries: China, Russia
Political Status: Republic
Head of State: President Nambaryn Enkhbayar
Head of Government: Prime Minister Miyeegombo Enkhbold
Currency: Togrog
Major trading partners: China, US, Russia
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Issues
- Mongolia has struggled financially since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989 and the subsequent loss of Soviet subsidies
- Mongolia's centuries-old nomadic way of life is under threat as the country modernises
- Mongolia remains largely dependent on its neighbours, China and Russia, for trade and economic development
- Infrastructure is poor, with many rural communities lacking electricity, water and sewerage
- Mongolia has a severe climate, and in recent years has experienced debilitating droughts and cold, snowy winters
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History
Although archaeologists have established the Mongols were a distinct people from as early as the 2nd century BC, it was not until 1206 AD that the first Mongol state was formed under Chinggis (Genghis) Khan

Mongol armies conquered vast territories over the next 60 years, expanding the Mongol empire to cover most of modern-day China, Korea and as far west as the Black Sea - making it the largest empire the world has ever known

However, the Mongols' glory was short-lived By the mid-1300s the empire's control over the east had disintegrated, although Mongol rule continued throughout Russia and central Asia for several centuries

By 1632 the Machu conquerors of China's Qing Dynasty had completed their takeover of Mongol land, and in 1691 Mongolia became a frontier province of China

Chinese control over Mongolia lasted until 1911, when Mongolian nationalists and Buddhist lamas took advantage of the demise of the Qing Dynasty and declared independence for Outer Mongolia, with the help of Russia

China began to reassert control in Mongolia over the next few years, prompting the country's leaders to turn to the new Soviet regime for help in staving off Chinese attacks In March 1921 Mongolian communists met with the Soviet regime and founded the Mongolian People's Party - later the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP)

After the death in 1924 of the Mongolian king, Jetsundampa Hutukhu, the MPRP took power and proclaimed the Mongolian People's Republic The party declared Mongolia would be transformed into a socialist country, and embarked on campaigns to collectivise the economy and destroy the power of the nobility and the Buddhist lamas

A series of political purges followed which targeted the nobility, the clergy and most of the revolutionary old guard Marshal Horloogiyn Choibalsan became prime minister in 1936 and quickly created a personal dictatorship

Mongolia was recognised by China in 1949 and became a member of the United Nations in 1961 Choibalsan died in 1952 and was succeeded as prime minister by Yumjaagiyn Tsedenbal, who continued the policy of close alliance with the Soviet Union

Tsedenbal was elected president in 1974 and remained in the role until he was removed from office in 1984 by Jambyn Batmonh, who took over as both president and the head of the MPRP and created a moderate government

Communism collapsed suddenly and peacefully in Mongolia in 1990 after a series of popular demonstrations calling for democratic multi party elections The ruling politburo resigned in March 1990 and was replaced by reformists

The sudden loss of Soviet subsidies sent the country into deep recession, with disruptions to production and rampant inflation Mongolia in 1991 appealed for emergency food aid from the international community

General elections were held in 1996, which saw the Mongolian Democratic Coalition brought to power, ending 75 years of unbroken rule by the MPRP A series of governments have since introduced Western-style policies of reform and privatisation
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Government
Mongolia is a republic with a parliamentary government and a directly elected president

After decades of communist rule, Mongolia began to take up Soviet-style political reform in 1988 It adopted a new constitution in January 2002 that renounced socialism, changed the country's name to the State of Mongolia and made Mongolia a republic

The president is the head of state, and is elected for a four-year term The government is headed by a prime minister, who is appointed by the parliament - the State Great Khural - for four years

Power is shared between the president, the parliament, the prime minister's ten-member cabinet and the supreme court Only the parliament has legislative power

The president and parliamentary members are elected directly by the people at two different elections

The prime minister is nominated from the party with the largest number of seats in parliament

The territories of Mongolia are administratively divided into 21 regions - 18 'aimags' and three cities
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Economy
Mongolia's economy has traditionally been based on agriculture and the breeding of livestock - the country claims the highest number of livestock per capita in the world Herds include cattle, horses, camels, goats and sheep

As well as about 17,000 million tonnes of the coal reserves, Mongolia has valuable mineral deposits including copper, tin, tungsten, gold, zinc, nickel and molybdenum

Its main exports are copper, gold, cashmere and other animal products

Until the 1940s, most Mongolians lived as nomadic subsistence farmers There has since been dramatic growth in education, urbanisation and industrialisation, as well as an expansion of the agriculture sector through the establishment of state and collective farms

The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989 was a shock for Mongolia's centrally planned economy The sudden loss of Soviet subsidies sent the country into deep recession, with disruptions to production and rampant inflation Mongolia in 1991 appealed for emergency food aid from the international community

Mongolia has since embraced free market economics, eased price controls and liberalised domestic and international trade It has won international praise for its economic reforms and appears committed to continuing a program of privatisation of state-owned enterprises and further price reform