Hovd (province)

The Aymag of Hovd (Mongolian: Ховдаймаг ) is one of the 21 provinces of Mongolia. It is located at the west of the country. Its capital is Hovd.

General information

If one asks Mongolian to speak about this aimag, he will generally speak about his estival harvest about delicious water melons, his tasty meat, his dairy products and of the beauty of the mountains of the Altaï which crosses it.

The province is populated various ethnos groups, with 16 various tribes represented. It comprises a great Kazakh-Mongol minority who speaks at the same time the Kazakh and Mongol.

Tourism

The large majority of Mongolian tourism is done in a central corridor around the capital Ulan-Bator, and very few tourists venture until this aimag. Hovd thus remains a wild ground, to hold for in love with nature.

Climate

Hovd is famous for its difficult weather variations, because it can make there 40°C (104°F) like -30°C (- 22°F). The climate is very dry, and precipitations are comparable with those of Phoenix (Arizona).

Transport

In the valleys, the network of dusty tracks can be crossed at speeds close to 80 km/h under good conditions. But as soon as one travels through the mountains or close to the Black Lake ( Khar Us Nuur ), the average falls drastiquement. The majority of people do not travel far from the town of Hovd without being equipped with 4 driving wheels or in the motor bike.

Walk remains the means of transport of predilection in Hovd, but some taxis there are passed. Compared to his large population, one meets there all the same still few vehicles, all filled because the price of the gasoline is very high compared to the average revenue.

Hovd is located at approximately 1.580 km of Ulan-Bator, i.e. 3 hours of plane by a domestic flight or 3 days in a cross-country vehicle through deserts, steppes and mountains.

To notice

One can find in the center more and more new constructions, and a hydroelectric project of stopping is in hand, which should provide electricity to the 3 aimags more in the west of the country (Uvs, Bayan-Ölgiy, and Hovd). The realization of this project is very awaited by the inhabitants, because today the town of Hovd is dependant on the current Russian, and prone to the cuts when the budget is exceeded.

The principal market of the city is interesting to visit. It is also used as coach station, where various vehicles find and take on board passengers for long voyages through the countryside. The central place and the museum of history are also popular.

When the school begins in September, Hovd becomes a giant college filled of students. During the summer, those set out again in the countryside in their families and the city finds a calmer rate/rhythm.

Administrative subdivision

Altay
Bulgan
Buyant
Chandmani
Darvi
Dergen
Duut
Erdenebüren
Hovd
Mankhan
Mönhhayrhan
Möst
Myangad
Tsetseg
Üyönch
Zereg

Random links: