When we think of Mongolia, we immediately recall the image of the warrior Genghis Khan on horseback. Located in Central Asia, Mongolia is a landlocked country between China and Russia with the lowest population density in the world. In the 13th century, Chinggis Khaan, united warring tribes and conquered a huge empire. Under the Manchurian Empire since the 17th century, Mongolia gained its independence in 1921. Three years after independence, the Communist regime was installed in 1924. In 1990, Mongolia adopted a new constitution and abandoned its one-party system.

While one-third of the population lives in the capital of Ulaanbaatar, many people still live a nomadic existence. The Mongolian nomads typically move to at least four different areas during the year. Like their ancestors, they travel throughout the steppes and mountainous regions in the north or the Gobi Desert in the south in search for the best pasture for their livestock.

Most nomads raise five species of livestock including camel, cattle, goats, horses, and sheep. Over 40% depend on herding as their livelihood. Horses are an extremely important part of the Mongolian nomads’ life. The horses provide transportation and airag, a fermented mare’s milk.  One of Mongolian’s favorite pastimes is horseback riding. Horses are highly respected in Mongolian culture; there are more than 70 words alone that describe the shades of a horses’ color. Mongolian horses are known for their stubby, short legs, but extremely fast speed exceeding 30 miles per hour. Every year, more than 1,800 riders come together to complete in the biggest race during Mongolia’s Naadam Festival. Thirty miles west of the capital, the festival brings together both nomads and urban residents ready to horse race, wrestle, and play archery.

The Mongolian nomads live in large round tents known as the ger, which provide incredible warmth. A stove can be found in the center of every ger with a wooden frame covered with felt. The ger can easily be built and dismantled in less than an hour!

With an efficient educational system, Mongolia has one of the highest literacy rates in the world; 97.8% of the population is literate. However, as a result of marked poverty, there are more than 3,700 children living on the streets in Mongolia.

We had to gun it through a small river to enter Eebee’s valley.