Ölgii

Ölgii, capital of Bayan-Ölgii Aimag, Mongolia's westernmost province, sits at 1,710 meters altitude with a population of 30,338 (2014). The city is a hub of Kazakh culture, boasting 4 mosques and renowned for Kazakh embroidery, music, and eagle hunting, showcased at the annual Golden Eagle Festival. Initially an ethnic Kazakh village, Ölgii's history dates back over 200 years, with Kazakhs drawn to the Altai region due to pressures from the Russian Empire and Chinese communism. Despite its isolated location, Ölgii saw development from the 1950s to 1980s, with recent years witnessing a construction boom post-Mongolian democratic revolution in 1991. While some industries declined post-communism, Ölgii remains a vital center for wool processing and animal-related factories.