Culture of Mongolia

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Image:Mongolcavepaintings.jpg The culture of Mongolia can be described as homogeneous. 96% of the Mongolia's population are Vajrayana Buddhists in the Tibetan tradition. The official language, Khalkha Mongol, is spoken by 90% of the population. Mongolia has its own ethnic group, which comprises 85% of the country's population.

Mongolia's population is about 2.6 million. 65% are in the 16-64 age bracket and about 4% are over 64. HIV/AIDS has not made a significant impact, with only about 16 reported cases in the whole country.

Childbirth is 2.26 per woman, and the increase rate is high. The life expectancy is 63 years and the infant mortality rate is at 6%.

The main festival is Revolution Day, also known as Naadam, which celebrates the anniversary of Mongolian independence from China. It is held on July 11.

The Mongolian cuisine depends the region of residence. In the south, Mongols eat a lot of mutton, and camel products. In the mountains, beef is much more common. In the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, there is a wide range of food available, mostly imported. Vegetables are a new part of the Mongol diet, which is traditionally based upon meat and dairy products.

Butter made of yak's milk is also very important to the Mongols. However, they prefer to use cow's milk, both as a food source and a fuel for lamps. In the past, when it was the primary fuel, schools were sometimes forced to decide between food for the staff and students, or lamplight for reading and learning.

In Mongolian mythology, a creature known in English as a tuba is rumoured to live in the country's mountains, and will bring good luck to those who witness it.

In the United States, Mongolian cultural events are provided by the Mongol-American Cultural Association.