Mongolia: The Land of Badass Horses and Fierce Warriors

Welcome to Mongolia, a land of deserts, mountains, and nomadic tribes who have been kicking butt and taking names since, well, forever.

Geography

Mongolia is located in East Asia, sandwiched between Russia and China. It’s home to the famous Gobi Desert, where you’ll find camels, sand dunes, and the occasional fossilized dinosaur egg. But don’t let the word “desert” fool you: Mongolia is actually one of the coldest countries in the world, thanks to its high altitude and lack of trees.

History

Mongolia has a long and storied history, dating back to the days of Genghis Khan, the OG badass. Khan was a warrior and conqueror who united the tribes of Mongolia and went on to conquer much of Asia and Europe. Nowadays, you can still find his face plastered on everything from billboards to vodka bottles.

Culture

Mongolian culture is all about horses, wrestling, and throat singing (yes, you read that right). The Mongolian horse is a tough, resilient animal that can gallop for days on end. In fact, the Mongolian people used to ride horses into battle and shoot arrows from their saddles. Talk about badass.

Mongolian wrestling is also a sight to behold. Picture two massive, shirtless men grappling with each other on the ground, trying to throw the other one off balance. Oh, and did we mention they wear colorful underwear?

And then there’s throat singing, which is exactly what it sounds like: making weird, guttural noises with your voice. The Mongolian people believe that this form of singing can ward off evil spirits and heal the mind and body. We’re not sure about that, but we do know that it sounds pretty cool.

Food

Mongolian cuisine is hearty and filling, designed to keep you warm in their harsh winter climate. The most famous dish is probably khorkhog, which is made by cooking meat (usually goat, but sometimes beef or mutton) in a pot with hot stones. The cooking process is actually pretty badass too: the stones are heated up in a fire, then thrown into the pot along with the meat, veggies, and some water. The resulting dish is tender, juicy, and has a slightly smoky flavor.

Conclusion