Ömnögov

Introducing Ömnögov

Ömnögov (South Gobi) is the largest aimag in Mongolia, with a population density of only 0.3 people per square kilometre. It’s not hard to see why humans prefer to live elsewhere: with an average annual precipitation of only 130mm a year, and summer temperatures reaching an average of 38°C, this is the driest, hottest and harshest region in the entire country.

Gurvan Saikhan Nuruu in the centre provides the main topographic relief in this pancake-flat region; the mountains make human habitation marginally possible by capturing snow in winter, which melts and feeds springs on the plains below, providing water for some livestock.

Ömnögov supports thousands of black-tailed gazelle, which you may see darting across the open plains. The aimag is also home to a quarter (around 80, 000) of Mongolia’s domesticated camels.

Tourism is an important business in the region and there are plenty of ger camps throughout the aimag. Far more important, however, is the mining industry (legend has it that the aimag governor passes out business cards printed with gold dust). The massive Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold deposit, located near the Chinese border in Khanbogd sum, is currently being developed by a Canadian mining company. When fully operational in a decade’s time the mine could boost Mongolia’s GDP by more than 30%.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009