Bayan-Ölgii Province
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| Founded | 1940 | ||||
| Capital | Ölgii | ||||
| Area | 45,700 km² | ||||
| Population • Total (2005) • Density |
95,758 2.10/km² |
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| Predial code | +976 (0)142 | ||||
| License Plate | БӨ_ (_variable) | ||||
| ISO 3166-2 | MN-071 | ||||
| Web site | gate1.pmis.gov.mn/bayan-ulgii/ | ||||
The Bayan-Ölgii aimag (Mongolian: Баян-Өлгий Аймаг, Kazakh: Баян Өлгей) is one of the 21 Aimags (provinces) of Mongolia. The Bayan-Ölgii aimag was established in 1940. Its capital is Ölgii.
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[edit] Geography
The aimag is located in the extreme west of the country, and shares borders with both Russia and China. The border between the two neighbour countries is very short here, though, and ends after about 40 km at the eastern end of Kazakhstan. Within Mongolia, the neighbour aimags are Uvs in the north east and Khovd in the south east..
Bayan-Ölgii is the highest Mongolian aimag. For the most part it is located in the Mongolian Altay, at the transition point to the Russian Altay. About 10% of the territory are covered by forests, consisting primarily of Siberian Larch.
The Nairamdal Peak ("frendship peak") of the Tavan Bogd massiv ("five saints") marks the corner between the three neighbour countries. The other peaks of the massiv are named Khuiten, Naran, Ölgii, and Burged. With 4374 m the Khuiten is the highest point of Mongolia. The massiv includes several glaciers, such as the 19 km long Potanii, and is only accessible to experienced climbers with local guidance.
The River Khovd (the longest within Mongolia) has its origin in this aimag. It is fed by the three lakes Khoton, Khurgan, and Daryan, and in turn feeds the lake Khar-Us Nuur in the Hovd aimag. The Tolbo Nuur ("frog lake") is a large saline lake about 50 km south of the aimag capital. It features clear and cold water on an elevation of 2080 m.
[edit] Population
Most inhabitants of Bayan-Ölgii are Kazakhs. Smaller parts of the population are composed of Khalkha, Dorvod, Uriankhai, Tuva und Khoshuud. A significant portion of the population speaks the Kazakh as their mother tongue and the Mongolian language only as a second language, if at all.
After democratization, many inhabitants moved to their historical homeland, Kazakhstan, assuming to find a better future there. The result was a noticeable reduction of the population numbers. As it turned out though, Kazakhstan suffers much more under the consequences of the former socialist rule than Mongolia does, so that most of those hopes were disappointed. More and more former immigrants are now returning, so that the population numbers are rising again[citation needed].
[edit] Culture
The culture of the Kazakh majority is strongly influenced by Islamic traditions. The mosque of Ölgii also houses the Islamic Center of Mongolia. It is placed at an unusual angle within the fabric of the city, because the building was oriented exactly towards Mecca. There's also a Madrasah (Islamic school) at the same place.
The aimag is famous for the traditional hunting method using trained eagles. The animals work in a similar way as hunting falcons do in other places.
[edit] Traffic
The Ölgii Airport (ULG/ZMUL) has one unpaved runway. It offers regular flights to Ulan Bator and irregular flights to Almaty in Kazakhstan.
A road connecting to Russia starts in Tsagaannuur.
[edit] National parks
The Tavan Bogd National Park has a size of more than 6,000 square kilometres and is located south of the highest mountain of Mongolia. It includes the lakes Khoton, Khurgan, and Daryan. The protected area offers a home for many species of alpine animals, such as the Argali sheep, Ibex, Red deer, Beech marten, Moose, Snow cock, and Golden eagle.
The Khokh Serkh Protected Area and the Siilkhem Nuruu National Park are of similar characteristics, even if they are much smaller.
The Develiin Aral Natural Reserve is established around the Develiin Island at the confluence of the Rivers Lsan Khooloi and Khovd. Since 2000 it protects various water loving animals such as pheasants, boars, and beavers.
The Tsambagarav Lul National Park includes more than 1,000 square kilometres of land around the glaciers near the Khovd aimag and protects the snow leopards living there, among others.
[edit] Administrative Subdivision
| Sum | Mongolian | Sum population (2005) | Sum centre population (2005) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altai | Алтай | 3,914 | 977 |
| Altantsögts | Алтанцөгц | 3,038 | 1,302 |
| Bayannuur | Баяннуур | 5,320 | 2,005 |
| Bugat | Бугат | 3,604 | 1,109 |
| Bulgan | Булган | 5,901 | 1,298 |
| Buyant | Буянт | 3,002 | 722 |
| Delüün | Дэлүүн | 8,183 | 1,507 |
| Nogoonnuur | Ногооннуур | 6,539 | 2,160 |
| Ölgii (city) | Өлгий | 28,248 | 27,568 * |
| Sagsai | Сагсай | 5,185 | 1,235 |
| Tolbo | Толбо | 4,260 | 986 |
| Tsagaannuur | Цагааннуур | 1,528 | 1,270 |
| Tsengel | Цэнгэл | 8,364 | 1,597 |
| Ulaankhus | Улаанхус | 8,672 | 1,304 |
* - The aimag capital Ölgii (city)
[edit] References
[edit] External links
| Provinces of Mongolia |  |
|---|---|
| Arkhangai | Bayan-Ölgii | Bayankhongor | Bulgan | Darkhan-Uul | Dornod | Dornogovi | Dundgovi | Govi-Altai | Govisümber | Khentii | Khovd | Khövsgöl | Ömnögovi | Orkhon | Övörkhangai | Selenge | Sükhbaatar | Töv | Uvs | Zavkhan | |
| Municipality: Ulan Bator | |
