Mongolia

Mongolia is one of the most sparsely-populated countries in the world, though nearly half of the country’s people live in urban areas.

Mongolia’s population is also a fairly young one. About 58 percent of the population is younger than 30 years old, and of that group, about 47.8 percent is younger than 14 years old.

The Mongolian diet is a simple one containing a significant amount of meat and dairy as a staple and few spices or sauces. This is the result of a traditionally nomadic herding society. This does not mean your student comes from a nomadic lifestyle, but traditional meals have persisted through increasing urbanization. The presence of vegetables especially has been increasing, and many imported foods are available in larger cities.

Traditional values mentioned in some of the oldest Mongolian literature (and that are typically still followed today) include love for one’s parents, hospitality, and homesickness or a general longing for home.

Mongolia is a country of climate extremes, and the country covers desert, steppe, and mountainous terrain.

Fun Fact: Mongolia is the only country in which horses out number people.