Asia

Mongolia

Location

Northern Asia, between China and Russia.

While Mongolia is relatively safe, violent muggings and attacks occur in Ulan Bator. You should avoid going out alone and on foot at night. Petty crime is common in Ulan Bator, pickpocketing and the slashing of bags in order to steal passports, wallets, etc. Visitors can only enter Mongolia by air or train as entry overland by other means is not permitted. Do not talk about death, divorce or accidents as mentioning these is considered a bad omen and will be taken seriously. Personal security, general travel, navigation, off road driving, building / office security, cold weather injuries, personal hygiene, sanitation / sterilisation, clothing & equipment, emergency first aid, helicopter safety, cultures / customs, communications, emergency shelters.

Water is safe in capital, use bottled water everywhere else.

Vast semi-desert and desert plains, grassy steppe, mountains in west and south-west; Gobi Desert in south-central.

Desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges).

Dust storms, grassland and forest fires, drought, and "zud," which is harsh winter conditions.

Bubonic plague, foot and mouth disease, hepatitis A, polio, rabies, typhoid. Only basic medical facilities exist.
Hospital: National Medical Institute, Ard Augushin Street, Ulan Bator. Tel: 1-361155

Limited natural fresh water resources in some areas; the policies of former Communist regimes promoted rapid urbanization and industrial growth that had negative effects on the environment; the burning of soft coal in power plants and the lack of enforcement of environmental laws severely polluted the air in Ulaanbaatar; deforestation, overgrazing, and the converting of virgin land to agricultural production increased soil erosion from wind and rain; desertification and mining activities had a deleterious effect on the environment.

The standard of driving in Mongolia is poor. Fatal accidents occur frequently. There are few tarmac roads, especially outside Ulan Bator. Maintenance of vehicles is also poor and breakdowns are frequent, which can cause long delays.

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