Arkhangai Province

Geobox|Province
country = Mongolia
name = Arkhangai aimag
other_name = _mn. Архангай аймаг
coordinates_type = adm1st
lat_d = 47 |lat_m = 23 |lat_NS = N
long_d = 101 |long_m = 30 |long_EW = E


symbol_type = Coat of arms
symbol = Arhangai.gif

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established = 1931
capital = Tsetserleg
area = 55300
population = 97091
population_as_of = 2000
population_density = 1.76
timezone = UTC+8
area_code = +976 (0)133
code1_type = License plate
code1 = АР_ (_ variable)
code2_type = ISO 3166-2 code
code2 = MN-073
website = http://gate1.pmis.gov.mn/arkhangai/

Arkhangai ( _mn. Архангай, "Northern Khangai") is one of the 21 Aimags (provinces) of Mongolia.It is located slightly west to the country's center, on the northern slopes of the Khangai Mountains.

Geography

The Arkhangai aimag is located in the interior of the country and borders to the following other aimags: Bulgan (north east), Övörkhangai (south east), Bayankhongor (south), Zavkhan (west), and Khövsgöl (north west).

The highest point is Kharlagtai Peak at 3529 m, while the lowest point is the area on the confluence of the Orkhon and Tamir rivers at 1290 m. The most well-known mountain is the extinct volkano Khorgo, which is part of the Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park.

Bodies of water

The rivers Chuluut, Khanui, and Tamir have their origins in the valleys of the Khangai Mountains. Together with some smaller tributaries they all belong to the watershed of the Selenge. The Orkhon also traverses the eastern end of the aimag for a short stretch.

The lake Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur is located in the west. According to a legend it was created when a giant took a large rock and threw it away. Looking back he saw a white surface and exclaimed in surprise, "Look, a white lake!" The exclamation has become the name of the lake. The rock ended up farther to the east and is called Taikhar Chuluu. The small lake Ögii Nuur is located in the eastern part of the aimag in the Sum of the same name.

History

Arkhangai aimag was formed from parts of the "Tsetserleg Mandal Uulyn" aimag in 1931. At that time, the aimag had 35 sums, 65,333 inhabitants in 22,285 households, and 1,800,000 heads of livestock. The aimag center Tsetserleg was established at the site of the Zaya Khüree monastery, which had been first founded in 1586.

Population

Today Arkhangai covers 55.2 thousands square kilometers, and has 96.4 thousand citizens, who live in 19 sums and 99 bags (subdistricts).

Transportation

There are regular flights linking Tsetserleg's airport (ZMTG/TSZ), which has an unpaved runway, and Ulan Bator.

Climate

In winter mean temperature is -30° C to -38° C and in summer the highest temperature is between 25° C and 36° C.

Economy

Main field of economy in the aimag is agriculture. Animal husbandry isdominated in the agriculture. According to a final data of 2002, in the aimag have been registered 1.748 million domestic animals (sheep, cattle, yak, horse, goat and camel). Five kind of livestock are bred throughout aimag. Yaks and hybrids are herded in the northwestsums, while a few camels are in the southeast sums. Sheep and goats play a main utility role in rural population’s life.

Horses are especially used for riding and other utilities but also southern sums of aimag are famous for delicious fermented mare’s milk called “Airag” over the country. Horse racing is being develop in many sums of aimag day by day and we can meet a lot of State distinguished horse trainers here.

Administrative Subdivision

The aimag capital Tsetserleg is geographically located in the Bulgan sum in the south of the aimag. It is not to be confused with the Tsetserleg sum in the north.

^* - The aimag capital Tsetserleg