13 Lesser-Known Historical Facts about Mongolia:
1. The Xiongnu Confederation, an ancient nomadic empire, is considered a precursor to the Mongol Empire.
2. The Mongol Empire, founded by Genghis Khan in 1206, became the largest contiguous empire in history.
3. Karakorum was the capital of the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan's successors.
4. The Mongolian script was created during the reign of Genghis Khan and is still used today in Inner
Mongolia.
5. The Erdene Zuu Monastery, built in 1585, is the oldest surviving Buddhist monastery in Mongolia.
6. Mongolia was under Qing dynasty rule from the late 17th century until the early 20th century.
7. Mongolia declared its independence from China in 1911, but full independence was recognized in 1921.
8. The Soviet Union heavily influenced Mongolia from the 1920s until the end of the
Cold War.
9 .The Khalkh Gol (Nomonhan) Battle in 1939 was a significant conflict between Soviet-Mongolian and Japanese forces.
10. The Gobi Desert, one of the largest deserts in the world, is located in southern Mongolia.
11. The traditional Mongolian dwelling is called a ger (yurt), and it is still widely used today.
12. Naadam, the "Three Games of Men," is a traditional festival featuring
wrestling, horse racing, and archery.
13. Mongolia transitioned to a multi-party system and market economy in the early 1990s.
