Darkhan (city)

For other uses, see Darkhan (disambiguation).

Coordinates: 49°28′08″N 105°57′27″E / 49.46889°N 105.9575°E / 49.46889; 105.9575

Darkhan (Дархан)
City
Country	Mongolia
Aimag	Darkhan Uul
Coordinates	49°28′08″N 105°57′27″E / 49.46889°N 105.9575°E / 49.46889; 105.9575
Population	74,300 (2007)
Founded	1961
Date	October 17
Timezone	UTC+8
Area code	+976 (0)137
License plate	ДА_ (_ variable)
Location of Darkhan in Mongolia

Darkhan (Mongolian: Дархан, blacksmith) is the second-largest city in Mongolia and the capital of Darkhan-Uul Aimag (Darkhan-Uul Province). It has a population of 74,300 (as of 2007^[1]).

History

Buddha Statue complex

Ground was broken on October 17, 1961, and the city was built with extensive economic assistance from the Soviet Union. As its name implies, the city was originally conceived to be a manufacturing site for Mongolia's northern territory. The city remains a mostly industrial region and is the home of some 82% of the aimag's population. As with most urban Mongols, some 86% of the city's population live in residential apartments, with the remaining population living in yurts (gers) on the outskirts of the city. The city is close to Russia and retains a fairly large percentage of native Russians.

Climate

Darkhan has a borderline humid continental climate (Dwb), close to the more typical subarctic climate (Dwc) of northern Mongolia, which is found in higher areas near the city, and only marginally wet enough to avoid qualifying as a semi-arid climate (BSk). These three climate types tend to overlap a good deal over the border regions of Mongolia, Russia and Kazakhstan^[2]. This area has extremely cold and dry winters; however the summers are warmer and more humid.

Climate data for Darkhan
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	−16 (3)	−12 (10)	1 (34)	11 (52)	19 (66)	24 (75)	26 (79)	24 (75)	18 (64)	9 (48)	−3 (27)	−13 (9)	7.3
Average low °C (°F)	−28 (−18)	−26 (−15)	−15 (5)	−4 (25)	3 (37)	10 (50)	13 (55)	12 (54)	3 (37)	−5 (23)	−16 (3)	−25 (−13)	−6.5
Precipitation mm (inches)	5 (0.2)	4 (0.16)	6 (0.24)	13 (0.51)	22 (0.87)	63 (2.48)	92 (3.62)	82 (3.23)	41 (1.61)	15 (0.59)	8 (0.31)	6 (0.24)	357 (14.06)
Avg. precipitation days	4	3	4	6	8	12	15	15	9	6	5	5	92
Source: [3]

Culture

Monument to Morinkhuur instrument

The Kharagiin monastery is housed in a pretty log cabin in the old town; it has recently become active again as a Buddhist monastery.

In addition, the city hosts the Museum of Darkhan-Uul. This museum, also called the Traditional Museum of Folk Art, contains a collection of archaeological findings, traditional clothing, religious artifacts, and taxidermy.

Education

Darkhan is the second largest educational center in Mongolia, making the educational level of the city’s population very high. Hundreds of students come to Darkhan from other parts of Mongolia to study. Currently in Darkhan Uul Aimag there are 10 higher education institutions, 25 secondary schools, 14 kindergartens, the Institute of Management and Development, the Regional Business Development Center and the Plant Science and Agricultural Training Research Institute.

Partner cities

Darkhan is partnered with:^[4]

City	State	Country
Dimitrovgrad	Haskovo Province	Bulgaria
Irving	Texas	United States
Kaposvár	Somogy County	Hungary
Ulan Ude	Buryatia	Russia

References

1. ^ Darkhan-Uul aimag official site
2. ^ Updated Köppen-Geiger climate map
3. ^ "Darhan Climate Guide". World Climate Guide. http://www.worldclimateguide.co.uk/climateguides/mongolia/darhan.php?units=metric&style=bars. 
4. ^ (Bulgarian) Официален сайт на община Димитровград - Побратимени градове