Darhan

Darhan (Дархан) is the third-largest city in Mongolia. The capital of the aymag (province) of Darhan-Uul, it has a population of 65,791 (as of 2000). The city's name in Mongolian means "smithy," or "blacksmith," and Darhan was named with the city's intended purpose in mind.

Darhan's foundation was laid on October 17, 1961. The city was originally conceived as an industrial region, to be a manufacturing site for Mongolia's northern territory. Built with extensive economic assistance from the Soviet Union, the city remains a mostly industrial region, and is the home of some 76% of the aimag population. As with most urban Mongols, some 86% of the city's population live in residential apartments, with the remaining population living in gers (a tent better known by the Russian term yurt)on the outskirts of the city. The city is close to Russia, and retains a fairly large percentage of native Russians.

Darhan is generally considered to be a fairly sterile city. City designers put little thought into the city's layout, and consequently, the city's industrial smokestacks are mostly on the southern side of the city, and the prevailing northern winds carry pollution into the city's residential areas.

Probably the most interesting sight in Darkhan is the Kharagiin monastery. Housed in a pretty log cabin in the old town, it has recently become active again as a Buddhist monastery.

In addition, the city hosts the Museum of Darkhan-Uul. This museum, also named the Traditional Museum of Folk Art. contains a well laid out collection of archaeological findings, traditional clothing, religious artifacts and a few stuffed animals.