The Mongolian People's Republic

Map Questions.

1. Point out the Mongolian People's Republic on the map.
2. Use the maps in your Atlas to describe the natural features
   of   the  MPR.

The Mongolian People's Republic was established in 1924 as the result of a popular revolution.

Fig. 104. Mongolian yurtas, nomad dwellings
It is situated between two socialist countries — the Soviet Union and the Chinese People's Republic, and numbers about 1,000,000 in­habitants, the majority of which are Mongols.
Mongolia was formerly a backward country of nomad cattle-breeders. Only in recent years has agriculture been introduced into the country. Lands that were never before put to plough are being cultivated now. Barley, millet and wheat are the chief crops.
Cattle-breeding is still an important occupation, however. Much attention is given to the breeding of sheep, goats, cattle (including yaks), horses and two-humped camels. These beasts furnish the Mon­gols with food, clothing and material for dwellings. They serve, besides, as means of conveyance.
Formerly each Mongol family grazed its own herd, wandering with it from pasture to pasture. Such families lived in yurtas, tent dwellings that could be easily moved from place to place. Such dwell­ings consisted of wooden frames covered with felt and tied round with ropes made of wool. Saddled horses usually stood tied close to the yurtas. The Mongols rarely walk. They prefer riding even small distances. A Mongol is taught to ride from early childhood.
The Mongols' food consists chiefly of animal products: milk either fresh or sour, cheese, butter and meat. Their favorite drink is tea, which they boil together with flour, fat or butter, salt and milk.
Under the power of the people measures are being taken to devei lop cattle-breeding: live-stock is being increased, enclosures are built and fodder is laid in for winter. The peasants (arats) and cattle-breeders are today united in co-operative and state farms. The Mon­gols are settling down and the number of towns and villages in the country is increasing.
Coal is mined in some parts of the country. Oil extraction has been started.

Fig. 105. Ulan-Bator.

Tanneries, creameries and meat-packing plants are all included in the branches of the processing industry.
The Mongolian People's Republic is successfully developing its socialist economy.
There are few towns in the Republic and no large ones whatever, but new towns are springing up regularly and the old ones are growing.
The capital of Mongolia is Ulan - Bator (red hero), seve­ral hundred years old. Formerly this was a small, ugly town with small houses in unpaved streets, with many yurtas and no lighting. Since the revolution it has rapidly developed. There have appeared large industrial enterprises. Ulan-Bator is the seat of the Mongo­lian Government. It contains also a university, other educational institutions, a theatre and many new blocks of flats. The streets are now electrically lit, and some are laid with asphalt.
Questions and Assignments.
Trace the boundaries of the Mongolian People's Republic on the j outline map and name its capital.