Mongolia Land of Blue Skies
National Symbol
Map of the Mongol Empire
Top of statue of Chinggis Khan
Chinggis (Genghis) Khan One of the Greatest Rulers Never persecuted people because of religion Encouraged people to be open and honest Answered questions thoughtfully Chose leaders by merit Understood politics
Chinggis Khan (cont) Outstanding manager Respected women Excellent military leader Let people gain from conquests Loved learning new ideas Used written word to administer kingdom
Naadam Festival Three Manly Games Horse Racing Wrestling Archery
History Began about 3000 years ago Nomad tribes showed off physical strength which was vital to survival Continued despite turbulent history 1921 became celebration ofnational Revolution s Victory Chinese were expelled Begins with the ride of the medieval clad warriors bearing the nine flags of Chinggis Khan
Naadam Digniteries
Peace Banners
Horse Racing Ages range from 5 to 13 Both boys and girls participate Children encourage their horses with cries of Ghiin-go-ooo!! Children train their horses Cross country 15 mile race
Race Contestant
Buddhist monk Monk is holding his son s horse.
Going to the start of the race 15 miles distant
Wrestling 1024 wrestlers begin the event They are divided into 2 groups They waved their hands to imitate a phoenix Their rank and past victories are announced Wrestle for ½ hour Weakest eliminated Winners wave hands like an eagle Tournament lasts 2 days Rules are simple, the one who touches the ground first is out The winner bears the title Titan
Wrestler in traditional attire.
Archery Men and women both compete Distance for men is 75 meters Distance for women is 65 meters Most wear traditional deels during competition Both men and women shoot 40 arrows each
Old and New
Mutton being cooked at Naadam
Geography
Geography High Plateau steppe Semi-Desert Gobi Extensive grassland Undulating, not flat Important grazing lands Diverse landscape White sand dunes Dinosaur fossil beds Red sandstone formations Flaming Cliffs Rocks and gravel 10% of the country
Scarecrow
Signs in Yoh Valley
New Buildings
UB from hotel window
Ulaan Baatar
State Department Store
Power Plant
Power Plant UB
Manhole Covers
Health Issues Leading causes of mortality 2010 Acute respiratory infections in winter Diarrhea (children) summer Hypertention Ischemic heart disease (red meat)
Health issues cont. Alcoholism Suicides (especially among teens and young adults) HIVs TB Non communicable diseases Infant mortality
Medical facilities 2 hospitals in UB that westerners may use Many medical personal were Russian and left when Mongolia became independent Treatment in rural areas poor Herbal remedies Buddist rituals Vitamin deficiencies Medical facilities may be long distances away Nomads may have no means of fast communication
Education Education has declined since the Russians left Rural children often move into towns during the winter and stay in dorms or with relatives Disparity between rich and poor Government pays for pre school 2010-2011 Kindergarten enrollment up 26, 462 Schools have a food/snack program
Education (cont) Teacher Training Still developing for today s needs Needs based How to do lesson plans Beginning of inclusion disadvantaged children Non formal education for school drop outs, adults, child workers
United States and Mongolia June 2011 White House Briefing Room President Obama and President Tsakhia Shared economic, security and development issue Mongolia noted importance of US companies leading management, technical safety, environmental and sustainable mining practices in development of coal, other minerals, agriculture, energy and tourism
Mongolia Airlines has decided to purchase Boeing commercial jets Mongolia supports the international coalition in Afghanistan Redeploy peacekeeping forces in Iraq UN peacekeeping in Africa Mongolia does not have nuclear weapons
Harhorin/Erdenezuu
Erdenezuu Originally a city built by grandson of Chinggis Khan 1584 monastery built from the ruins of the city Over 1000 monks lived in the Monastery Water supply from the Orkhon River
Inside one of the temple buildings