1. Mongolia By: Amanda Vasek

2. ~Facts The country of Mongolia is a little larger than the state of Alaska. The country of Mongolia is a little larger than the state of Alaska. Almost 90% of the land are is either pasture or desert. 9% is forested and 1% is arable Almost 90% of the land are is either pasture or desert. 9% is forested and 1% is arable The climate is continental. Mongolia gets little precipitation and sharp seasonal fluctuations. The climate is continental. Mongolia gets little precipitation and sharp seasonal fluctuations. As of 2009, the population of Mongolia is 2,951,787 and the annual growth rate is 1.4%. As of 2009, the population of Mongolia is 2,951,787 and the annual growth rate is 1.4%. As of 2010, the life expectancy was: Male- 65 years old. Female- 70 years old. As of 2010, the life expectancy was: Male- 65 years old. Female- 70 years old. The primary language spoken is Mongolian The primary language spoken is Mongolian

3. Religion 90% of the Mongolian people are some type of Buddhist. 90% of the Mongolian people are some type of Buddhist. 5% are Muslim 5% are Muslim 4% of the population practices Christianity 4% of the population practices Christianity The remaining 1% is either Roman Catholic or Members of the Russian Orthodox Church. The remaining 1% is either Roman Catholic or Members of the Russian Orthodox Church.

4. Education The literacy rate is 99.1% The literacy rate is 99.1% The official school age entrance is 6. The official school age entrance is 6. School begins every year on September 1 st. School begins every year on September 1 st. The education system is composed of nursery, kindergarten, primary school, secondary school, and university study. The education system is composed of nursery, kindergarten, primary school, secondary school, and university study. Students are in school anywhere between 10 and 12 years. Students are in school anywhere between 10 and 12 years.

5. Mongolian Food Mongolian cuisine consists mostly of dairy products, meat, and animal fats. Mongolian cuisine consists mostly of dairy products, meat, and animal fats. The use of vegetables and spices is limited. The use of vegetables and spices is limited. Vegetables are often pickled in jars. Vegetables are often pickled in jars. Mongolia has an extremely fatty diet. Mongolia has an extremely fatty diet. Fried pancakes made with mutton and flour are common. Fried pancakes made with mutton and flour are common. Some snacks are made from dried milk curds. Some snacks are made from dried milk curds. Fish is only sometimes available at markets. Fish is only sometimes available at markets. The staple grain food is bordzig. It is a soft pastry made from wheat that is deep fried. The staple grain food is bordzig. It is a soft pastry made from wheat that is deep fried. The two most available beverages in Mongolia are the Chinese and Russian teas. The two most available beverages in Mongolia are the Chinese and Russian teas.

6. Government Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj is the current president of Mongolia. Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj is the current president of Mongolia. He was elected as president on May 24, 2009 and inaugurated on June 18 th. He was elected as president on May 24, 2009 and inaugurated on June 18 th. He was a former two-time prime minister of the Democratic Party. He was a former two-time prime minister of the Democratic Party. To be a president, you must have to: be born in Mongolia, be at least 45 years old, and you must have resided in Mongolia for at least five years prior to taking office. To be a president, you must have to: be born in Mongolia, be at least 45 years old, and you must have resided in Mongolia for at least five years prior to taking office. Each term is 4 years long. Each term is 4 years long. 1.00 Mongolian Tugrik = 0.00082 U.S. Dollar 1.00 Mongolian Tugrik = 0.00082 U.S. Dollar

7. Mongolian Death Worm The Mongolian Death Worm is a creature that supposedly lives in the Gobi Desert The Mongolian Death Worm is a creature that supposedly lives in the Gobi Desert Generally described as a cryptic. Generally described as a cryptic. Also described as a bright red worm. The body width is said to be 2- 5 feet long. Also described as a bright red worm. The body width is said to be 2- 5 feet long. The claims come in from the Mongolian Locals. The claims come in from the Mongolian Locals. Some people have said: Some people have said: -the worm has the ability to spew out acid. When it comes in contact with anything it will turn it yellow and corroded (meaning it would kill humans) -the worm has the ability to spew out acid. When it comes in contact with anything it will turn it yellow and corroded (meaning it would kill humans) - it can kill from a distance by means of electrical discharge. - it can kill from a distance by means of electrical discharge. It is said to live underground hibernation. It only comes out during the months of June and July. It is said to live underground hibernation. It only comes out during the months of June and July.

8. Agriculture, Industries, Exports and Imports Agriculture crops grown in Mongolia includes: wheat, barley, potatoes, forage crops, sheep, goats, cattle, camels, and horses. Agriculture crops grown in Mongolia includes: wheat, barley, potatoes, forage crops, sheep, goats, cattle, camels, and horses. Imports include: machinery and equipment, fuel, cars, food products, industrial consumer goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, and tea. Imports include: machinery and equipment, fuel, cars, food products, industrial consumer goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, and tea. Exports: copper, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool, hides, fluorspar, other nonferrous metals Exports: copper, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool, hides, fluorspar, other nonferrous metals Industries: construction materials; mining (coal, copper, molybdenum, fluorspar, and gold); oil; food and beverages; processing of animal products Industries: construction materials; mining (coal, copper, molybdenum, fluorspar, and gold); oil; food and beverages; processing of animal products Mongolia imports products from: Russia 33.4%, China 26.6%, Japan 6.6%, South Korea 5.9%, Germany 4.3% Mongolia imports products from: Russia 33.4%, China 26.6%, Japan 6.6%, South Korea 5.9%, Germany 4.3% And exports products to: China 54.4%, US 14.3%, Canada 13.5%, UK 4.7% And exports products to: China 54.4%, US 14.3%, Canada 13.5%, UK 4.7%

9. Superstitions and Customs The most endangered people in the families were the children so sometimes children would have to change their names or sometimes the boys would have to dress up as girls. The most endangered people in the families were the children so sometimes children would have to change their names or sometimes the boys would have to dress up as girls. Before you go out at night, young children are supposed to put charcoal on their foreheads. This is supposed to protect them from the evil spirits. This works because the evil spirits believe the children are bunnies with dark or black hair on their forehead. Before you go out at night, young children are supposed to put charcoal on their foreheads. This is supposed to protect them from the evil spirits. This works because the evil spirits believe the children are bunnies with dark or black hair on their forehead. Also, if you talk bad towards others or if you do something wrong, misfortune would be attracted. Also, if you talk bad towards others or if you do something wrong, misfortune would be attracted. One of a child's first celebrations is their first hair cut. This usually happens when the child is 3-5 years old. One of a child's first celebrations is their first hair cut. This usually happens when the child is 3-5 years old. Birthdays weren’t celebrated many years ago. Today, birthdays are popular. Birthdays weren’t celebrated many years ago. Today, birthdays are popular. Deceased relatives were usually laid to rest in the open where corpses would be eaten by animals. Nowadays, corpses are usually buried. Deceased relatives were usually laid to rest in the open where corpses would be eaten by animals. Nowadays, corpses are usually buried.

10. Holidays New Years Day…. January 1 st New Years Day…. January 1 st Tsagaan sar(white moon)… Late January to early March (depending on the lunar calendar) often celebrated around the time of the Chinese New Year. Families burn candles around the altar symbolizing enlightment. People wear costumes and exchange gifts. Tsagaan sar(white moon)… Late January to early March (depending on the lunar calendar) often celebrated around the time of the Chinese New Year. Families burn candles around the altar symbolizing enlightment. People wear costumes and exchange gifts. International Women's Day… March 8 th International Women's Day… March 8 th Men's and Soldiers Day… March 18 th Men's and Soldiers Day… March 18 th Mothers and Children's Day… June 1 st Mothers and Children's Day… June 1 st Naadam Holiday… July 11-13 th –Men compete in three games: wrestling, horse racing, and archery. Women have started competing in horse racing and archery but not in wrestling. Naadam Holiday… July 11-13 th –Men compete in three games: wrestling, horse racing, and archery. Women have started competing in horse racing and archery but not in wrestling. Independence Day… November 26 th Independence Day… November 26 th New Years Eve… December 31 st New Years Eve… December 31 st New Years Day…. January 1 st New Years Day…. January 1 st Tsagaan sar(white moon)… Late January to early March (depending on the lunar calendar) often celebrated around the time of the Chinese New Year. Families burn candles around the altar symbolizing enlightment. People wear costumes and exchange gifts. Tsagaan sar(white moon)… Late January to early March (depending on the lunar calendar) often celebrated around the time of the Chinese New Year. Families burn candles around the altar symbolizing enlightment. People wear costumes and exchange gifts. International Women's Day… March 8 th International Women's Day… March 8 th Men's and Soldiers Day… March 18 th Men's and Soldiers Day… March 18 th Mothers and Children's Day… June 1 st Mothers and Children's Day… June 1 st Naadam Holiday… July 11-13 th –Men compete in three games: wrestling, horse racing, and archery. Women have started competing in horse racing and archery but not in wrestling. Naadam Holiday… July 11-13 th –Men compete in three games: wrestling, horse racing, and archery. Women have started competing in horse racing and archery but not in wrestling. Independence Day… November 26 th Independence Day… November 26 th New Years Eve… December 31 st New Years Eve… December 31 st

11. Bibliography http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolian_cuisine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolian_cuisine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolian_cuisine http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2779.htm http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2779.htm http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2779.htm https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world- factbook/geos/mg.html https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world- factbook/geos/mg.html https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world- factbook/geos/mg.html https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world- factbook/geos/mg.html http://www.spainexchange.com/guide/MN- education.htm http://www.spainexchange.com/guide/MN- education.htm http://www.spainexchange.com/guide/MN- education.htm http://www.spainexchange.com/guide/MN- education.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolia#Religion http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolia#Religion http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolia#Religion http://worldfacts.us/Mongolia.htm http://worldfacts.us/Mongolia.htm http://worldfacts.us/Mongolia.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolian_culture http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolian_culture http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolian_culture