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Mongolia > People
and population
Descendants of great warriors of Chingiss Khan,
Mongolians are some of the kindest and gentlest
people you will ever meet. The harsh climate and
barren land of Mongolia, deep in the heart of
Central Asia, has produced an exceptional culture
based on sharing, not competition, on groups,
not individuals. In a place such as this everyone
depends on everyone else. There is no sense of
mine and yours, only ours. If one man's herds
are lost, then others will assist in finding them.
When Mongolians leave their gers, the door is
always left open for any one passing by to stop
and make themselves at home. Visitors are always
welcomed with a cup of tea, a hot meal and a place
to rest their weary body. There is much to learn
from the people of Mongolia.
The country's population is 2.6 million. Started
some twelve centuries ago as a 300,000 strong
union of several nomad tribes, by the turn of
the 20th Century Mongols counted a mere half a
million. During seven decades of communism, the
population quadrupled, especially after the "baby
boom" of 60s. Two thirds of the Mongolian
population is under 30 years old, and two fifths
of the population is under 14. Approximately half
the population lives in cities and towns, while
an estimated 47 percent still live nomad lifestyle,
tending more than 33 million livestock. Annual
population growth is currently estimated at 2.8
per cent. Most of the population growth has been
absorbed in urban areas.
Mongolia has perhaps the sparsest population
density in the world, averaging just over 1 person
per sq. km (247 acres), and in some regions, such
as the South Gobi province, the population density
is only 0.2 per sq. km. Khalka Mongolian, the
official language, is spoken by about 75 percent
of the population. 15 percent speak other Mongolian
languages. The rest of the population, predominantly
ethnic minorities, are mainly speakers of Turkic
languages, such as Kazakh, Tuvinian, Uriankhai
and Khoton. Ethnic Groups: 86% Mongols, mostly
Khalkha Mongol; 7% Turkie (mainly Kazakh); 4.6%
Tungusic and 3.4% other groups. Four million Mongols
live outside of Mongolia.
Contact us at:
info@thisismongolia.com
