Ölgii
Ölgii
Ölgii
Bayan Ölgii aimag is located in the extreme west of the country, and shares borders with both Russia and China. The border between the two neighbouring countries is very short here, though, and ends after about 40 km at the eastern end of Kazakhstan. Within Mongolia, the neighbouring 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 Tavan Bogd Uul (Five Saints Mountain) of the Tavan Bogd massif marks the corner between the three neighbouring countries. About 2.5 km further south on the Mongolian-Chinese border, the Khüiten Peak (Cold Peak, also Nairamdal, Friendship Peak; Chinese: Youyi Feng) is the highest point of Mongolia with 4374 m. The massif includes several glaciers, such as the 19 km long named by Potanin, and is only accessible to experienced climbers with local guidance.
The River Khovd (the longest in the western Mongolian Great Lakes Depression) has its origin in this aimag. It is fed by the three lakes Khoton, Khurgan, and Dayan, and in turn feeds the lake Khar-Us Nuur in the Khovd Aimag. The Tolbo Nuur 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.
Most inhabitants of Bayan-Ölgii are Kazakhs (88.7%). Smaller parts of the population are composed of Uriankhai (7.2%), Dörvöd (1.5%)2, Khalkha, Tuva and Khoshuud. A significant portion of the population speaks 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 they would find a better future there. The result was a noticeable loss of population in 1991-1993, when approx. 30,000 were repatriated to Kazakhstan.
As it turned out though, Kazakhstan suffered much more from the consequences of former socialist rule than Mongolia did, so that most were disappointed in their hopes. A noticeable number of former immigrants have been returning, so that the population has risen again noticeably.
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. While the animals work in a similar way as hunting falcons do in other places, this is the only group in the world that has been able to train eagles to hunt.
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.
The border with China is open only for a short time in the summer.
The Altai Tavan Bogd National Park covers 6,362 km² and is located south of the highest mountain of Mongolia. It includes the lakes Khoton, Khurgan, and Dayan. The protected area offers a home for many species of alpine animal, such as the Argali sheep, Ibex, Red deer, Beech marten, Moose, Snow cock, and Golden eagle.
The Khökh Serkhiin Nuruu Protected Area (659 km²) and the Siilkhemiin Nuruu National Park (1,428 km²) are of similar character.
The Develiin Aral Natural Reserve (103 km²) is established around Develiin Island at the confluence of the rivers Lsan Khooloi and Khovd. Since 2000 it has provided protection for various birds and animals including pheasants, boars, and beavers.
The Tsambagarav Lul National Park includes 1,115 km² of land around the glaciers near the Khovd aimag and protects the snow leopards living there, among others.
