Mongolia

Area: 1,564,116 sq km (603,909 sq miles).

Population: 2,510,000 (official estimate 2002).

Population Density: 1.6 per sq km.

Capital: Ulaanbaatar. Population: 869,900 (2004).

GEOGRAPHY: Mongolia has a 3485km- (2165 mile-) border with the Russian Federation in the north and a 4670km- (2902 mile-) border with China in the south. From north to south, it can be divided into four areas: mountain-forest steppe, mountain steppe and, in the extreme south, semi-desert and desert (the latter being about 3 per cent of the entire territory). The majority of the country has a high elevation, with the principal mountains concentrated in the west. The highest point is the peak of Tavan Bogd, in the Altai Mountains, at 4374m (14,350ft) high. The lowest point, Khukh Nuur lake, in the east, lies at 560m (1820ft). There are several hundred lakes in the country and numerous rivers, of which the Orkhon is the longest at 1124km (698 miles).

Government: Republic. Declared independence from China in 1921. Head of State: President Nambaryn Enkhbayar since 2005. Head of Government: Prime Minister Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj since 2004.

Language: Khalkh Mongolian is the official language. Kazakh is spoken by 5 per cent of the population. There are also many Mongolian dialects.

Religion: Buddhist Lamaism is the main religion, although there is no state religion.

Electricity: 230 volts AC, 50Hz.

SOCIAL CONVENTIONS: Religious customs should be respected. Mongolia has a large number of customs and traditions. Further details can be obtained from the Mongolian National Tourism Board (see Contact Addresses section). Visitors are requested to familiarise themselves with these customs. Photography: Not permitted in temples and monasteries. A fee is payable for photography in protected areas, although this regulation is often not enforced. Caution should be exercised when photographing government buildings, military establishments and border crossings.