Bayan-Ölgii Province

The Bajan Ölgii Aimag (Mongolian Баян - Өлгий Аймаг; Kazakh Баян Өлгей ) is an aimag ( province ) of Mongolia.

Geography

The aimag is located in the extreme west of the country and borders on Russia, as well as to the PRC. The border between the two neighboring countries is here but very short, and ends after 40 km at the eastern end of Kazakhstan. The neighboring aimags in Mongolia in the northeast are Uvs and Khovd in the southeast.

Bajan Ölgii is the highest aimag of Mongolia. He is to a large extent in the Mongolian Altai, at the interface to the Russian Altai. About 10% of the area is covered by forests, which consist primarily of the Siberian larch.

The Chüiten Summit ( cold summit, also Freundschafts-Gipfel/Nairamdal Orgil ) Tavan Bogd massif of ( " five saints" ) on the Mongolian- Chinese border is with 4374 m the highest point of Mongolia. The massif contains several glaciers, including the 19-km long Potanii, and is accessible only for experienced climbers with a local guide.

The River Khovd (the longest in Mongolia ) has its origin in this aimag. He springs from the three lakes Khoton, Churgan and Dayan and opens later in Khovd Aimag in the lake Char -Us Nuur. The Tolbo Nuur is a large salt lake located about 50 km south of the main town of 2,080 m. Its waters are clear and cold.

Population

Most residents of Bayan - Ölgii are of Kazakh descent, and their traditions are different because of their Islamic faith, partly from those of the rest of the Mongols. Smaller proportions of the population consist of Khalkha, Dorwod, Uriankhai and Choschuud. A significant proportion of the population has not Mongolian but Kazakh as their native language.

Shortly after the democratization of many Kazakhs emigrated to Kazakhstan, assuming there to find a better future. This had a significant decline in population numbers result. However, these hopes were often not met, and some of the emigrants returned.

Culture

The Kazakh majority maintains an Islamic culture. The Mosque of Ölgii houses the Islamic Center of Mongolia. She sits in an unusual angle within the urban fabric, as the building was aligned in the direction to Mecca. The same site also contains a madrasah ( Islamic school ).

Also famous is the traditional hunting using trained eagles. The animals are used in a similar way as it was elsewhere usual with hawks.

Traffic

The airport of Ölgii ( ZMUL / ULG) has a runway. She was unpaved until 2011. He has frequent flights to and from Ulan Bator, and irregular flights to Almaty in Kazakhstan.

National Parks

The Tavan Bogd over 600,000 hectares of large national park is located south of the highest mountain of Mongolia, and includes the lakes Khoton, Churgan and Dayan. The sanctuary provides a home to many high-alpine species such as Argali sheep, Siberian ibex, red deer, marten, elk, grouse and golden eagles.

The Choch Serch reserve and the Siilchem ​​Nuruu National Park have similar characteristics, although they are much smaller.

The Develiin Aral Nature Reserve comprises the island Develiin island at the confluence of the rivers Lsan Chooloi and Khovd. Since 2000 It protects various water- loving animals like pheasants, wild boar and beaver.

The Tsambagaraw Lul National Park covers 100,000 hectares of good to the glacier on the border of Khovd aimag and in particular to protect the snow leopard based there.

Administrative divisions