NYS Social Studies Standard 3 — Geography
Students apply a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of the interdependent world in which we live.

NYS Social Studies Standard 2 — World History
Students achieve an understanding of world cultures and civilizations, including an analysis of important ideas, social and cultural values, beliefs, and traditions. As a result, students know some important historic events and developments of past civilizations.

NYS Social Studies Standard 4 — Economics
Students acquire an understanding of major economic concepts and systems, and the interdependence of economic systems throughout the world.

NYS Arts Standard 4
Students develop an understanding of the personal and cultural forces that shape artistic communication and how the arts in turn shape the diverse cultures of past and present society.

NYS English Language Arts Standard I
Students read, write, listen and speak for information and understanding. Students collect data, facts, and ideas; they discover relationships, concepts, and generalizations, and use knowledge generated from oral, written, and electronically produced texts.

Mongolia lies in the northern part of the Central Asian plateau, bordering Russia and China. Mongolia has Siberian taiga in the northern part of the country, desert-steppes in the southern parts with a central region of grassland steppes meeting the rocky Gobi desert. In response to the natural environment and extreme temperatures the Mongol peoples have developed a nomadic lifestyle based on animal herding. Mongol herdsmen move three to four times a year seeking water and fresh pastures for their sheep, goats, yaks, horses, and camels. Families organized into small groups assemble and disassemble their circular tents called gers (yurts) with each move. While many of those who live in the countryside continue to practice nomadic ways of life, those in cities and towns have generally adopted more urban lifestyles, such as living in apartments and working in government buildings and factories. The nation's sprawling capital, Ulaanbaatar, has in many ways become a very modern and cosmopolitan place, with its high-priced German automobiles, Internet cafes, and night clubs.

Politically, Mongolia has a heritage of nomadic groups uniting under a chieftain or a religious leader (shaman). When threatened by rival nations or when trade disputes arose, confederations often formed only to later dissolve. In 1206, the charismatic leader Chinggis Khan (Genghis Khan) supported by Tengr (Sky or Heaven), united all of the Mongol tribes. Mongolia became a military force so powerful it created the largest land empire in world history. The empire he founded lasted for almost 175 years before eventually fragmenting, as others had, in the mid-14th century.

From the end of the empire until the early 16th century, the Mongols were plunged into civil war. The Manchu Qing dynasty in China, to the south, came to dominate Mongolia until 1911. During Qing rule, the Buddhist monastic community shared power with a hereditary nobility and a Chinese merchant class. The Mongolians achieved independence from the Manchus in 1911, only to fall under Soviet control in 1921. By 1930 the communists had begun their social transformation and modernization. During that time, the Buddhist hierarchy, the princely nobles, and the nomadic herdsmen all lost power and freedom. The Soviets did bring about some positive changes, however, including the building of schools and hospitals, introduction of veterinary sciences and establishment of nation-wide transportation systems. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the first free elections in Mongolia in 1990, the nation has tried to build a market economy as well as a democratic polity. The transition has been difficult, marked by economic problems and an age-old tendency toward separate factions based on region, kin, or political party. Despite a struggling economy, Mongolians are proud of the revival of their traditional dress, religion, and folk festivals featuring sports and the arts. Today, national events such as the annual Naadam Festival symbolize a nation proud of its history and facing the challenges of the future.