The name 'Mongolia' has always stirred up visions of the untamed - Genghis Khan, camels wandering the Gobi Desert and wild horses galloping across the steppes. Even today, outside of Ulaan Baatar you may get the feeling you've stepped into another century rather than another country.

Full country name: Mongolia
Area: 1.56 million sq km
Population: 2.6 million
People: Khalkh Mongols (86%), Kazaks (2%), Chinese (2%), Russian (2%), about a dozen other ethnic groups
Language: Mongolian, Russian, Chinese
Religion: Tibetan Buddhism, Muslim, Shamanism
Government: parliamentary
Head of State: President Natsagiyn Bagabandi
Head of Government: Prime Minister Tsakhiagiyn Elbedorj
 

GDP: US$1 billion
GDP per capita: US$390
Annual Growth: 3.5%
Inflation: 44%
Major Industries: Copper, livestock, cashmere, wool
Major Trading Partners: Russia, China, Japan, US