Darkhan (city)

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Darkhan (Mongolian: Дархан, blacksmith) is the third-largest city in Mongolia. The capital of the aimag (province) of Darkhan-Uul, it has a population of 74,000 (as of 2006).

[edit] History

Darkhan's foundation was laid on October 17, 1961. As its name implies, the city was originally conceived as an industrial region, to be a manufacturing site for Mongolia's northern territory. Built with extensive economic assistance from the Soviet Union, the city remains a mostly industrial region, and is the home of some 76% of the aimag population. As with most urban Mongols, some 86% of the city's population live in residential apartments, with the remaining population living in yurts on the outskirts of the city. The city is close to Russia, and retains a fairly large percentage of native Russians.

[edit] Culture

The Kharagiin monastery is housed in a pretty log cabin in the old town, it has recently become active again as a Buddhist monastery.

In addition, the city hosts the Museum of Darkhan-Uul. This museum, also named the Traditional Museum of Folk Art. It contains a collection of archaeological findings, traditional clothing, religious artifacts, and stuffed animals.