Mongolia is a country of contrasts: how national yurts coexist with modern skyscrapers

Several years ago, while vacationing with our family in the Altai Territory, we looked into the local museum of nomadic peoples. As part of the excursion, we were lucky to see a Nenets chum, an Eskimo igloo and several Altai yurts. Moreover, we were even able to visit each building. We were especially impressed by the spacious and beautifully decorated yurts, which reflect the echoes of the Mongolian, Buryat, Kyrgyz and other cultures.

Personally, I was struck by the fact that a full-fledged comfortable home is assembled in just a couple of hours. Curiously, is there still room for national yurts in modern Mongolia, or have they been replaced by high-rise high-rise buildings? Let's find out more.

I have heard before that Mongolia is the country with the lowest population density. Almost half of the three million people live in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of the state. In other parts of the country, there is 1 person per 1 sq. Km of territory.

Steppes occupy a significant part of Mongolia's area. In addition to Ulan Bator, there are also a couple of developed cities with a population of about 100 thousand people. The rest of the settlements resemble urban-type settlements.

In pre-revolutionary times, almost all Mongols lived in yurts. Now there are about 30% of them. It was a discovery for me that only Russians call these buildings yurts. In the local dialect, the traditional Mongolian dwelling is called "ger". Even in developed cities there are separate areas built up exclusively with yurts. They, as well as in small private houses, are home to the poor.

In general, a yurt is extremely economical for its owners. A budget five-section version of the building can be purchased for only 30 thousand rubles. A more spacious hand-painted yurt will cost three times as much. It can be transferred to a truck and assembled as a constructor in just a couple of hours. At the same time, for the installation of such a dwelling, it is allowed to choose any free territory. There is no need to pay for the plot.

Therefore, yurts are found everywhere in Mongolia and often can even be located in the courtyard of multi-storey buildings. Often they are an alternative to our country houses and are used by local residents for summer holidays in the steppe. It is also convenient to accommodate visiting relatives in them.

Accommodation in a yurt costs Mongols only 2-3 thousand rubles a month. This money is used to buy coal and firewood to light the stove. All this negatively affects the ecology of the country. Permanent smog hangs over the capital of Mongolia and, according to statistics, the death rate from air pollution in Ulaanbaatar is 20%.

Mongols with slightly higher incomes can afford small private houses on the outskirts of the city. In this case, they have to spend on the purchase of land and communications. Often, yurts are located in the backyard of these houses.

As for the apartments, rather wealthy citizens live in them. Their share is about 40% of the total population of developed cities. The central areas are built up mainly with typical panel high-rise buildings. The cost of housing in them can be compared with the Russian outback. Prices for one-room apartments vary from 900 to 1500 thousand rubles.

Frankly speaking, I would not want to live in Mongolia. There are few trees here, there are practically no parks and walking areas, and the infrastructure is poorly developed. The houses are very close to each other, rarely where you can find a spacious courtyard with a playground. And again, this constant smog over the capital.

The outskirts of Ulan Bator are now being actively built up with high-rise buildings and elite residential complexes with a closed territory. Living here is quite pleasant and comfortable, the air is much cleaner, and everything is in order with the infrastructure. But not everyone can afford to have an apartment in an elite complex.

Developed Mongolian towns such as Darkhan and Erdenet are another matter. Quietness, fresh air and affordable housing along with a well-developed infrastructure. But finding a job for a foreigner here will be quite problematic. Therefore, many visiting Russians prefer freelancing. What do you think about life in Mongolia? Would you like to visit this country?