21 facts about Mongolia you did not know

1. Mongolia is the least densely populated country in the world, with vast open spaces and a population of just over 3 million people. 2. Ulaanbaatar, the capital and largest city of Mongolia, is the coldest national capital globally, with temperatures dropping as low as -40 degrees Celsius (-40 degrees Fahrenheit) in winter. 3. The traditional Mongolian dwelling, known as a ger (or yurt in Russian), has been used for over a thousand years by the nomads of Central Asia. 4. Mongolia is home to the last truly wild horses known as Przewalski's horse or "Takhi." They were once extinct in the wild and have been reintroduced to their natural habitat in Mongolia. 5. The Naadam Festival, celebrated in July, is one of Mongolia's most significant events, showcasing the three "manly sports": wrestling, horse racing, and archery. 6. The Mongolian Death Worm, according to local legend, is a creature purported to live in the Gobi Desert. It is described as a deadly worm that spits acid and emits electric shocks. 7. Mongolia's Gobi Desert is one of the world's largest deserts and a rich dinosaur fossil reservoir. The first-ever dinosaur eggs were discovered there in the 1920s. 8. The Mongol Empire, founded by Genghis Khan in the 13th century, was the largest contiguous land empire in history. 9. Traditional Mongolian music features the Morin Khuur (horsehead fiddle), which produces a sound that is closely associated with the Mongolian nomadic culture. 10. Mongolia uses its own traditional lunar calendar, marking the Mongolian New Year, known as Tsagaan Sar, which translates to "White Moon." 11. Airag, also known as kumis, is a traditional Mongolian beverage made from fermented mare's milk and is considered the national drink. 12. Mongolia has no major water bodies but is home to over 4,000 rivers and lakes, providing essential resources for its pastoral nomadic lifestyle. 13. The Mongolian postal system utilizes a unique address system based on geolocation, reflecting the country's vast rural areas without traditional street names. 14. Genghis Khan, the founder of the Mongol Empire, is revered as a national hero and a symbol of strength and unity in Mongolia. 15. The "Eternal Blue Sky" is a central concept in Tengrism, the ancient belief system of the Mongols, emphasizing the importance of nature and the sky in Mongolian culture. 16. Mongolia's Orkhon Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, containing archaeological remains dating back to the 6th century and representing the evolution of nomadic pastoral traditions. 17. Khövsgöl Nuur is known as "Mongolia's Dark Blue Pearl." It's one of the deepest lakes in Central Asia and holds 70% of Mongolia's fresh water. 18. The Tsaatan, also known as the Dukha, are a small community of reindeer herders living in the northern regions of Mongolia, preserving a unique way of life. 19. Mongolia is one of the sunniest countries in the world, enjoying over 250 sunny days a year, which greatly influences its climate and lifestyle. 20. The Altai Mountains in western Mongolia are home to ancient petroglyphs and burial mounds, providing insight into prehistoric cultures in the region. 21. Despite its historical association with nomadic lifestyles, Mongolia is rapidly urbanizing, with more than half of its population now living in urban areas, particularly in Ulaanbaatar.