Date of independence, or formation date: 1924
Date when current borders were established: 1924
National day: July 11
Vehicle country identifying code: MGL
Time zone (hours plus or minus from GMT): +8
International telephone dialling code: +976
Internet country identifying code: .mn

Landlocked between Siberia and China's Mongolian provinces, Mongolia rises from the semiarid Gobi Desert to mountainous steppe. The traditionally nomadic Mongols were first unified by Genghis Khan in 1206. "Outer" Mongolia achieved independence from China as a communist state in 1924 and was officially aligned with the USSR from 1936. In 1990, it abandoned communist rule; widespread poverty ensued. Extremely harsh winters in 1999–2001 devastated the rural economy.

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004