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In the west often "Ulan Bator"; after the Russian transcription.
See also: Museums in Ulaanbaatar
After the collapse of the Mongol Empire in the 17th century, a nomadic settlement was established, which the Lama Zanabazar. gave the name Örgöö (Өргөө, "Residence", in the west often "Urga"). This "mobile capital" consisted of a collection of transportable Yurts, and regularly moved from place to place. Its final location was only decided on in 1778. The settlement had several names over time. In 1924 it was finally renamed to Ulaanbaatar, which translates to "red hero". This name honors the Damdin Sükhbaatar, the hero of the revolution of 1921.
| Dramatic cloud formations over Sükhbaatar square |
Ulaanbaatar is located in the Khan mountains next to the Tuul river. The city is divided into 6 districts. The central Sükhbaatar district holds most public institutions and the lage Sükhbaatar square. Officially there are quite recently a million inhabitants. But the "upgrade" to that figure was probably more the result of some anniversary than accurate counting. Large parts of th suburbs consist of Yurt settlements, which present a striking contrast to the modern buildings of the center. Urban and rural lifestyles also result ing strong contrasts in many other ways here, be it in clothing habits, or in encounters between herd animals and motor vehicles.
The capital is the starting point for nearly every trip to mongolia. It is the only destination for international flights, and the transmongolian railroad (a side line of the transsiberian railroad ending in China) has its most important station here.