Mongolia, Mongolia

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Mongolia was the second country in the world to become Communist. It had its own local equivalent to Stalin, a 'cheerful' fellow named Choibalsan who ruthlessly purged thousands of monks and intellectuals, but is still regarded as a national hero for defending Mongolian independence. During Communist times, the country was forced into an alliance with the Soviet Union in order to protect itself from China. The effects of this are still evident today in the alcoholism - problems caused by vodka, the population boom encouraged by the Communists and the appalling architecture. A relatively bloodless shift to democracy occurred in the early and mid 1990s. Interestingly, Mongolia is the only former Communist country to have re-elected the former Communist party back to power in an open and entirely democratic election; the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) is currently in office.

Today, nearly half the country lives a nomadic lifestyle, herding animals and residing in circular white tents called ger, or in Turkic yurt. The current government, particularly President Bagabandi and Prime Minister Enkhbayar, wish to see the country rapidly urbanised.

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General Tips about Mongolia

» Required travel documents for Mongolia
» Electric power
» Area code to Mongolia
» Warning: Erdenebat Boris (Eric) – UB Mongolia
» Warning: Erdenebat Boris (Eric) – UB Mongolia
» Khustain Nuruu Nature Reserve
» Travellers cheques
» Credit & debit cards
» Currency
» Shopping
» Food & Drink
» Clothing
» Climate
» Telephone
» The Mongolian food
» CULTURAL TIPS
» Mongolia - lifestyle
» Clothing in Mongolia
» People in Mongolia
» Language in Mongolia
» Mongolia - getting around
» Mongolia
» A small formality before going to Mongolia
» Pick whichever taxi you want
» Accomodation
» Don't get lost!
» Yolyn Am
» Khonguryn Els
» Bayangobi
» Bayanzag
» Khorgo Volcano
» Khan Khentii
» Lake Khovsgol
» Terelj
» The Amarbayasgalant Monastery
» The Gobi Desert
» Kharakhorum
» Undur Dov
» Ulaanbaatar
» Gobi Desert
» Khovsgol Lake
» Yoliin Am
» Khovsgol Lake
» Ulaanbaatar
» Umnogobi
» Bayan Olgiy
» Arhangaj

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