Dundgovi Province Map

Dundgovi is one of the 21 aimags or provinces of Mongolia. The name of it translates to the Middle Gobi, as this is where it lies in the central section of the area known as the Gobi between the drier desert on the south side and the more lush steppe in the north. This location makes it highly diverse in terms of landscape (semi-arid plains, low rocky hills, desert steppe), which preconditioned the livelihoods and culture of its population over centuries.

The province is located approximately 245 kilometres (approximately 152 miles) south of the capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar. It has its administrative centre as Mandalgovi, a small but very vital town housing the hub of governance, commerce and cultural life of the area. Nevertheless, Mandalgovi is of relative significance since the paving of a road to Ulaanbaatar in 2013 has enhanced trade, travel, and service access.

Dundgovi is an area of about 74,690 square kilometres (28,838 square miles), and this makes it the second least populated province in Mongolia, with a low population density of a single person per square kilometre. This is a sparse type of settlement that is also normal to the challenging environment of the Gobi, where water, vegetation and settlements are distant from one another. However, this isolation is also one of the charms of the province, with its panoramic views and a kind of timelessness that is so hard to find in the present-day world.

History

History Dundgovi is inextricably linked to the history of the nomadic culture of Mongolia overall. The region accommodated transhumants over the centuries who migrated with their animals according to the availability of forage and water. These nomads dwelled in transportable felt tents called gers, and their transport was directed by a close understanding of the terrain, climate, and animal habits.

In the period prior to the introduction of modern administrative units, the region that presently constitutes Dundgovi formed part of greater political and tribal entities belonging to various Mongol khanates. During the Qing Dynasty's reign over Mongolia (16911911), the Gobi region, including Dundgovi, was structured in banners and leagues, and the local leaders ran the affairs under the supervision of imperial authority. The region played a key part in migrations and trade roads at the time of the year that would move people between the northern steppes and the inner Gobi and elsewhere beyond.

In 1911, Mongolia gained independence from Qing rule, and the territory started to be absorbed into the new state of Mongolia. The province of Dundgovi was established in D2019 mashrie 1942 in a re-division of administrative boundaries across the nation under the pressure of the solutions of the USSR. This restructuring was part of the initiatives to improve governance, economic planning, and provision of services to the rural areas.

Since its inception, Dundgovi has remained mostly pastoral, but it has been gradually modernised. The entry of motor vehicles, increase in schooling and creation of the basic infrastructure have altered some of the day-to-day life. The key economic and cultural base--livestock herding--has, however, survived mostly, although younger generations are leaving their rural communities in increasing numbers to pursue their education and jobs in urban centres.

Culture

The people of Dundgovi live out in a very lively way the nomadic culture of Mongolia. Livestock keeping, particularly of goats, sheep, horses and camels, is not only the primary economic activity but also enshrines the core of social and cultural self-identification. Seasons have their rhythms as well: springborn livestock, summer pasture, fall in preparation of winter, and the long, harsh, cold months when families depend on foodstuffs and fuel stored during the easier times.

The ger is the traditional house that is appreciated due to its timeliness, protection, and also a symbol of the Mongolian way of living. Although even in Mandalgovi, some families keep a ger in addition to the permanent house, reserving it either as a special occasion venue or as a summer retreat. The distribution of the furniture and the location of objects are issues according to customs, which are based on the respect of tradition and hospitality.

Oral storytelling, poetry and music are front and centre in cultural life. Urtyn duu (long song) and kholemii (throat singing) performed in Dundgovi are on the list of UNESCO as the intangible items of cultural heritage in the world. Such art forms usually bring about the image of the expansiveness of the steppe, the connection of humanity and animals, and the loveliness of nature. Folk tales and epic poems remain in the memory and are handed down because it is what people enjoy, and also teach lessons of moral lessons as well as preserving history.

People cherish festivals like Naadam held in July each year, which attract communities to compete in horse racing, wrestling and other archery activities- three masculine games in Mongolia. In Dundgovi, Naadam is also a gathering of the extended families of herders of distant reaches, when, in order to meet their friends, marry off their daughters, trade their items, they organise Naadam. Smaller local festivals and religious events, which relate, in many cases, to the lunar calendar, also mark the year.

Another strength of the culture is craftsmanship. Locals make high-quality felt, skins and traditional clothes, including the deel, a long robe that both men and women are seen wearing. Such crafts tend to be things acquired in childhood and transmitted through the family. Dundgovi is also renowned for its airag - fermented mare milk, which is proud of the healthiness of its horse herds and healthy grazing pastures.

Language

Khalkha Mongolian is the vehicle language in Dundgovi; the official language of Mongolia and the most widespread dialect of the country. Khalkha is the medium used in education, administration, and even the media systems; hence, the residents can use it in their communication process in the entire country.

The local language is quite similar to the standard one, Khalkha, but there are small regional differences, arising partly because the province has been relatively isolated, and partly because of historical links to surrounding areas. These variations are minute overall, but make up the diversity that exists in the Mongolian language. Historically, the literary version of the vertical Mongolian script was held as the writing system, but since the 1940s, the Cyrillic script has come into use as the official writing system in Dundgovi and indeed throughout Mongolia. The traditional script has been taught and used more in recent years, particularly amongst younger people and cultural preservationists.

The Russian language is also recognised by some inhabitants, especially the aged ones, due to the close relationship between Mongolia and the Soviet Union for most of the 20th century. Currently, there is a gradual introduction of English, which is more popular among students and in the sectors of tourism and international trade. In rural districts, the Khalkha Mongolian is, however, the only language in real life. Dundgovi does not simply use language as a means of communication; it is a repository of culture. The language is also rich in numerous idioms, proverbs, and poetic words and expressions, all related to land, animals, and the changing of the seasons, so the language itself becomes a portrait of the province and its culture.

Geography

Dundgovi is centrally located in the southern region of Mongolia, and parts of this region are part of the northern Gobi Desert. The geography is semi-arid steppe with rocks, occasional sand, low hills, and rocky outcrops. The type of land is more or less open-- few trees-- and there is often a summit line of the horizon that seems to extend miles.

The climate is continental and arid and with sharp seasons. Summer is hot (reaching often over 32 °C, 90°F), and winters are very long and bitterly cold (below -30 °C, 22°F). Rainfall is low with an average annual figure of less than 200millimeters (8 inches), and humidity is low. These requirements mean that water supplies are valuable and restrict the kind of vegetation that may survive. The seasonal risks are the spring sandstorms, which decrease visibility and, in some cases, ruin the pasture and zud. Zud is a winter disaster when there is snow or ice that prevents livestock from grazing. The disasters are usually catastrophic to herders and leave them with massive losses of animals and livelihoods at stake.

No great rivers exist in the province, yet the province has small lakes, springs, and seasonal rivers on which people and animals rely. The vegetation is drought-resistant, characterised by grasses and shrubs which support grazing on hardy types of livestock. Administratively, Dundgovi comprises a number of sums (districts) with a local centre. The largest town, Mandalgovi, is built at an altitude of approximately 1,412 meters (4,633 feet). Although access to Ulaanbaatar has been enhanced by a paved road, much of the country can still only be accessed by dirt track, often using a motorcycle, jeep and small bus.

Economically, the province relies a lot on animal husbandry and related outputs like wool, cashmere and meat. Mining is also present, but not as well developed as elsewhere in the Gobi, and environmental issues have prohibited giant mining efforts. The isolated areas, coupled with severe climate and weak ecosystems, call the sustainable development into question every time.

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