The capital of Mongolia is Ulaanbaatar, which is the country’s largest city. About two fifths of Mongolia’s population lives in Ulaanbaatar. Surrounded by mountains, the city stands on a windswept plateau at an elevation of 4,430 feet (1,350 meters). It is situated on the shallow and swift-flowing Tuul River. The city receives only about 9 inches (23 centimeters) of rain each year. The mean temperature is 15° F (−26° C) in January and 63° F (17° C) in July. Ulaanbaatar is not governed by any of the country’s provinces; instead, it governs itself as an “autonomous municipality.”
Ulaanbaatar became known as the “city of felt,” because it developed as a cluster of tentlike felt homes called yurts. During the 20th century, new construction transformed the central city. It now has broad modern streets, numerous high-rise apartment complexes, and massive governmental, cultural, and educational buildings. The city also has frequent traffic jams and air-pollution problems.
In the heart of the city is Sühbaatar Square. It is the site of a neoclassic government building, the National Theater, and a marble mausoleum containing the remains of heroes of the Mongolian communist revolution. In the center of the square is a statue of Damdiny Sühbaatar, who helped found the Mongolian communist republic. The city’s educational and cultural institutions include the National University of Mongolia, the Academy of Sciences, professional and technical schools, and several museums.
Ulaanbaatar is the major industrial and transportation center of the country. An industrial complex produces a variety of consumer goods. Factories make clothing and footwear, processed foods and beverages, cement, bricks, iron, and other products. Ulaanbaatar is served by an international airport. A railroad connects it with China and Russia. It is linked by highways with other cities in Mongolia.
The city originated as a seasonal home of the Mongolian princes. With the construction of Da Khure Monastery in 1639, it became a permanent settlement. For almost 200 years the monastery was the residence of the bodgo-gegen, the high priest of the Tibetan Buddhist religion to which most Mongols adhere. The Russians called the city Urga, meaning “headquarters” in Mongolian. It developed as a major trade center for camel caravans. In 1860 a Russian consulate was established in the city.
Before the 20th century, what is now the country of Mongolia was a part of China called Outer Mongolia. Ulaanbaatar was the chief center of Outer Mongolian revolt against Chinese rule. In 1911 Outer Mongolia declared its independence, and the city was named Niislel Khureheh, or “Capital of Mongolia.” It remained the capital in 1921 when Mongolia became an independent country. When Mongolia was declared a communist republic in 1924, the city was renamed Ulaanbaatar, which means “Red Hero.”Population (2008 estimate), 1,031,200.