Bulgan Province (Mongolian: Булган аймаг) is one of the 21 provinces of Mongolia, located in the north of the country, bordering Russia. Its capital is also named Bulgan.
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History
Bulgan Province was officially established on 15 January 1938 following 1937 decision by the Council of Ministers of the Mongolian People's Republic, being separated from Selenge Province.
In 1994, Orkhon Province was taken out from Bulgan Province area to form an independent province.
Geography
The province (or aimag) is surrounded by Russia (Buryatia) to the north, the Khövsgöl Province to the northwest, Arkhangai to the southwest, Övörkhangai to the south, Töv to the southeast, and Selenge to the northeast. The small Orkhon Province forms an enclave at the border with Selenge.
The north of the aimag is characterized by alpine forests, gradually blending into the arid steppe plains of the central Mongolian highland. The main rivers are the Orkhon and the Selenge, the first of which enters the aimag from Övörkhangai, while the second enters from Khövsgöl Province. As a result, southern and central Bulgan is one of Mongolia's few arable regions.
Administrative subdivisions
The province is divided into 16 sums (districts) and 75 bags (subdistricts).
* - The aimag capital Bulgan city.
** - data includes Khyalganat urban-type settlement (3,300 pop.), 25 km North from the Khangal sum centre
*** - data includes Saikhan-Ovoo urban-type settlement (500 pop.), 25 km North-West from the Saikhan sum centre
Demographics
As of 2024, according to the National Statistical Office, the province has a population of 60,130. Around 74.5% of residents live in rural areas.
In a 2020 nationwide census, the Khalkha make up around 95.1% of the total population, followed by Bayads 1.6%, Buryats 0.9%, Dörvöds 0.7%, Darkhads 0.5%, Khotons 0.5%, Uriankhai 0.2%, Zakhchin 0.1% and Torghuts 0.1%.
Economy
Livestock is one of the main economic activity of the province. In 2018, the province contributed to 0.96% of the total national GDP of Mongolia.
Transportation
The Bulgan Airport (UGA/ZMBN) has one unpaved runway and is served by regular flights to Ulaanbaatar, Khovd, and Mörön.
Notable people
Khatanbaatar Magsarjav, commander during the 1921 People's Revolution
Anandyn Amar, prime minister
Jamiyangiin Lhagvasuren, colonel general of the Mongolian People's Army and Hero of the Mongolian People's Republic
Jügderdemidiin Gürragchaa, cosmonaut and Minister of Defense
Naidangiin Tüvshinbayar, judoka and first Mongolian gold champion in the Olympics
Dashbaldangiin Purevsuren, Opera singer and People's Artist of Mongolia