Mongolia is the country of a big blue sky, majestic snow capped mountains, rolling hills, vast grasslands, the greatest deserts and pristine pure lakes and rivers. Towering Altai  Mountains dominate in the west, uprising over 14300 feet, along with stunning lake Hovsgol in the north whilst the enigmatic Gobi Desert occupies the extreme south of the country.

Mongolia is the size of three times France and has population of 2.6 million. Many of them still live in traditional nomadic way, preserving their renowned horsemanship heritages.

Mongolia's rich historic and cultural sites witness the importance of Mongol land for ancient nomadic tribes including the Scythians followed by the Huns. During 13th century, Mongolians established largest known land empire under the leadership of Chenghis(Genghis) Khaan, which divided into separate states later.

After two centuries’ occupation of Manchu Qing Dynasty, Mongolia declared its independence in 29 December 1911. However, due to Chinese occupation of the country, the Republic of Mongolia was proclaimed in 1924 again followed by the adoption of communist policies with close alliances to Soviet Union. In 1990, Mongolia adopted a new democratic constitution, making it one of the youngest democratic countries in the world.

 
   Map of Mongolia

      Suggested Readings on Mongolia     

    1. Judith Nordby (1993) Mongolia. Oxford, Clio Press.

    2. W. Barthold, (1977) Turkestan down to the Mongol Invasion. London: Gibb Memorial Trust.

    3. Marco Polo (1958), The Travels. New York: Penguin Books.

    4. Rashid ad-Din (Boyle, John A. trans) (1971),
        The Successors of Genghis Khan. New York: Columbia Univ. Press.

    5. Michael Kohn (2005), Lonely Planet Mongolia.

    6. Jane Blunden (2004), Mongolia: The Bradt Travel Guide.

    7. Rana Saad (2005), William of Rubruck's Account of the Mongols, Lulu.com.

    8. Theodore Roosevelt and Jeremiah Curtin (2003) (Edn), The Mongols: A History, Da Capo Press.

    9. Reuven Amitai-Preiss and David Morgan (2006), Mongols and Mamluks:
           The Mamluk-Ilkhanid War, 1260-1281 (Cambridge Studies in Islamic Civilization)
        Cambridge Univ. Press.

    10. Charles Gallenkamp, Dragon Hunter, (2002) (Edn)
          Roy Chapman Andrews and the Central Asiatic Expeditions, Penguin Books.  

    11. Roy Chapman Andrews (1989), Ends of the Earth, Wolfe Publishing Co,

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