Capital of Mongolia: Ulaanbaatar — Facts & 5-Question Quiz
The capital of Mongolia is Ulaanbaatar. Mongolia sits in Asia, has a population of 3,398,366, and uses the MNT. Official languages include Mongolian.
Quick facts
- Capital: Ulaanbaatar
- Continent: Asia
- Population: ~3,398,366
- Area: 1,564,110 km²
- Population density: 2.2 people per km²
- Official language: Mongolian
- Currency: MNT
- ISO code: MN
How big is Mongolia?
By population, Mongolia ranks 133rd in the world, holding roughly 0.04% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 18th.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Mongolia has 2.2 people per square kilometre, which is far below the world average of 59.4. It is more spacious than its population alone would suggest.
Within Asia, Mongolia is the 41th most populous country of 48.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Mongolia in population are Uruguay (3,422,794) and Moldova (3,272,996).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Iran (1,648,195 km²) and Libya (1,759,540 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Mongolian is listed as an official language of Mongolia alone, which is unusual — most official languages are shared across borders.
Mongolia uses the MNT, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
How to remember Mongolia
Mongolia has only two neighbours, Russia and China, so the map is easy. Ulaanbaatar means 'Red Hero', which links to the red on the flag. It is also written Ulan Bator.
The flag of Mongolia: red, blue and gold
🇲🇳 The flag is three vertical stripes, red, blue and red, with a gold Soyombo symbol on the left red stripe. The blue stands for the 'eternal blue sky' of Mongolian tradition, the red for progress, and the Soyombo is a national symbol of fire, sun, moon and earth.
Region and neighbours
Mongolia is a large landlocked country in East Asia, between Russia to the north and China to the south. It shares land borders with 2 countries: Russia and China. Mongolia is landlocked, with no coast on the open ocean.
Three facts about Mongolia
- Mongolia is the least densely populated sovereign country in the world.
- It is the second-largest landlocked country, after Kazakhstan.
- In 1206 Genghis Khan founded the Mongol Empire, which became the largest connected land empire in history.
Sources: Wikipedia: Mongolia, Wikipedia: Flag of Mongolia, Wikipedia: Ulaanbaatar, CIA World Factbook.
Quiz yourself on Mongolia
- Asian capitals quiz — match Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar
- Asian flags quiz — spot the Mongolia flag among its neighbours
- Landlocked countries quiz — Mongolia has no sea coast
Mongolia capital quiz
What is the capital of Mongolia 🇲🇳?
- Yerevan
- Ulaanbaatar
- Baku
- Phnom Penh
Show answer
Ulaanbaatar
What is the capital of Georgia 🇬🇪?
- Manama
- Tbilisi
- Tokyo
- Kathmandu
Show answer
Tbilisi
What is the capital of Armenia 🇦🇲?
- Malé
- Yerevan
- Ramallah
- Dhaka
Show answer
Yerevan
What is the capital of Kuwait 🇰🇼?
- Kuwait City
- Manama
- Baghdad
- Jerusalem
Show answer
Kuwait City
What is the capital of Qatar 🇶🇦?
- Pyongyang
- Doha
- Sana'a
- Malé
Show answer
Doha
Mongolia capital quiz tip
Ulaanbaatar is also written Ulan Bator, so accept either spelling. It is the coldest national capital in the world by average yearly temperature.
Mongolia in Asia
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are China, India, Indonesia and Pakistan.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Asia is the block Mongolia belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Mongolia.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Mongolia?
The capital of Mongolia is Ulaanbaatar.
Is Ulan Bator the same as Ulaanbaatar?
Yes. Ulan Bator is the older, Russian-derived spelling of Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia.
What is the population of Mongolia?
About 3,398,366, making it the 133rd most populous country in the world.
How big is Mongolia?
1,564,110 square kilometres, ranking 18th by land area, at a density of 2.2 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Mongolia use?
The MNT, which no other country uses.
What are the colours of the Mongolia flag?
The flag of Mongolia is three vertical stripes, red, blue and red, with a gold Soyombo symbol on the left red stripe. The blue stands for the 'eternal blue sky' of Mongolian tradition, the red for progress, and the Soyombo is a national symbol of fire, sun, moon and earth.
Which countries border Mongolia?
Mongolia shares land borders with Russia and China.
How can I remember the capital of Mongolia?
Mongolia has only two neighbours, Russia and China, so the map is easy. Ulaanbaatar means 'Red Hero', which links to the red on the flag. It is also written Ulan Bator.
More capitals to learn
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