According to eningbo, Mongolia in 2012 was a country of contrasts. Situated between Russia and China, it was a land of stunning natural beauty, with vast grasslands, snow-capped mountains, and rolling hills. It was also a developing nation with many challenges. Mongolia is the world’s most sparsely populated independent country, with a population of just over three million people living in an area about the size of Alaska. Mongolia had undergone significant political change since the democratic revolution of 1990 which overthrew the Soviet-backed communist government. After this revolution, Mongolia adopted a multi-party system and held its first free elections in 1992. The country also transitioned to a market economy which opened up opportunities for foreign investment and economic growth. In 2012, Mongolia had one of Asia’s fastest growing economies due to its rich natural resources such as minerals and oil as well as its strategic location between two giant neighbors – China and Russia – who were both eager to invest in the country’s development. The government was actively encouraging foreign investment by implementing economic reforms such as tax incentives for businesses that invested in Mongolia’s infrastructure and resources. This encouraged companies from all around the world to invest in this “land of opportunity” which resulted in an increase in GDP from $2 billion USD in 2001 to $13 billion USD by 2012. Despite these positive developments, Mongolia faced several challenges including high levels of poverty among its rural population as well as environmental degradation due to overgrazing by livestock which threatened its fragile ecosystem. In addition, corruption remained an issue due to weak law enforcement mechanisms which made it difficult for businesses to operate without paying bribes or facing other forms of extortion from local officials or criminal gangs. In terms of culture, Mongolian society was still largely traditional with nomadic lifestyles still prevalent among many rural communities. This lifestyle had been threatened by urbanization which saw more people moving into cities such as Ulaanbaatar where they could find better employment opportunities but often at the cost of losing their connection with their traditional culture and values. Despite these changes though Mongolians remained proud of their heritage with traditional music still popular among young people who kept alive their cultural identity through festivals celebrating their ancient customs such as Naadam which took place every summer where people would compete in wrestling, archery and horse racing events wearing traditional costumes made from sheepskin or fur – making it one of the most unique cultural events on earth even today. Mongolia is a landlocked country located in Central Asia, surrounded by Russia to the North and China to the South. It is a vast and sparsely populated country, covering an area of over 600,000 square miles with a population of around 3 million people. The capital city of Ulaanbaatar is home to nearly half of the country’s population, making it one of the most densely populated cities in Asia. The country’s landscape varies from mountainous regions in the north to vast steppes and deserts in the south. Mongolia has a continental climate with long cold winters and short summers, making it one of the most extreme climates on earth. Despite its harsh environment, Mongolia is rich in natural resources such as coal, copper and gold which have contributed significantly to its economy over recent years. In 2015, Mongolia was still struggling with poverty as well as political instability due to its transition from communism to democracy since 1990. The economy was heavily reliant on mineral extraction which accounted for nearly 90% of its exports but also left it vulnerable to fluctuations in commodity prices. In addition, corruption was rampant and unemployment high at around 17%. Despite these challenges, Mongolia had made some positive strides towards economic growth since 2010 when it joined the World Trade Organization (WTO). This opened up new markets for Mongolian products as well as foreign investment which helped stimulate growth in certain sectors such as mining and construction. In addition, efforts were being made to diversify the economy into other areas such as tourism and agriculture but these had yet to make any major impact on employment or GDP figures. In terms of culture, Mongolia has long been known for its nomadic lifestyle which still exists today although many Mongolians have now settled into urban areas due to economic hardship or military service obligations. Traditional forms of art are still popular such as singing throat songs or playing instruments like Morin Khuur (the horse-head fiddle). Religion remains an important part of daily life with Buddhism being practiced by about half the population alongside elements from shamanism that can be traced back centuries ago when Genghis Khan united tribes under his rule during 1206-1227 CE. Overall, despite its difficulties Mongolia remains an intriguing destination for many people due to its unique culture and landscape that has remained virtually unchanged over hundreds of years. As this nation continues on its journey towards economic development while preserving their ancient traditions it will be interesting to see what lies ahead for this fascinating country in 2015 and beyond! Check commit4fitness for Mongolia in 2002.