Bulgan Province

Bulgan Province
Булган аймаг
ᠪᠤᠯᠠᠭᠠᠨᠠᠶᠢᠮᠠᠭ
Location of Bulgan in Mongolia
Coordinates: 48°48′N 103°33′E / 48.800°N 103.550°E / 48.800; 103.550
CountryMongolia
Established1938 (1938)
CapitalBulgan
Divisions16 sums
Government
 • BodyCitizens' Representatives Khural of Bulgan Province
Area
 • Total
48,733 km2 (18,816 sq mi)
Population
 (2024)
 • Total
60,130
 • Density1.234/km2 (3.196/sq mi)
GDP
 • TotalMNT 550 billion
US$ 0.2 billion (2022)
 • Per capitaMNT 8,892,720
US$ 2,847 (2022)
Time zoneUTC+8
Area code+976 (0)134
ISO 3166 codeMN-067
Vehicle registrationБУ_
Websitebulgan.gov.mn

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.

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.[2][3]

In 1994, Orkhon Province was taken out from Bulgan Province area to form an independent province.[4]

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).

Sums of Bulgan Aimag
Sum Mongolian Population
(2005)[5]
Population
(2008)[6]
Population
(2009)[7]
Population
(2022)
Bayan-Agt Баян-Агт 2,823 3,014 3,048 3,375
Bayannuur Баяннуур 1,303 1,418 1,526 1,878
Bugat Бугат 1,799 1,873 1,890 2,144
Bulgan* Булган 11,984 12,323 12,396 12,817
Büregkhangai Бүрэгхангай 2,123 2,366 2,406 2,924
Dashinchilen Дашинчилэн 2,422 2,332 2,574 3,267
Gurvanbulag Гурванбулаг 3,221 3,052 3,119 3,008
Khangal** Хангал 4,442 4,574 4,700 2,666
Khishig-Öndör Хишиг-Өндөр 3,057 3,196 3,171 3,364
Khutag-Öndör Хутаг-Өндөр 4,236 4,561 4,591 3,204
Mogod Могод 2,609 2,658 2,738 3,559
Orkhon Орхон 2,941 2,932 3,012 3,355
Rashaant Рашаант 3,206 3,083 3,131 3,568
Saikhan*** Сайхан 3,685 3,748 3,747 4,528
Selenge Сэлэнгэ 3,057 3,248 3,271 3,021
Teshig Тэшиг 3,520 3,496 3,514 5,039

* - 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.[9] Around 74.5% of residents live in rural areas.[10]

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%.[11]

Economy

Livestock is one of the main economic activity of the province.[12] In 2018, the province contributed to 0.96% of the total national GDP of Mongolia.[13]

Transportation

The Bulgan Airport (UGA/ZMBN) has one unpaved runway and is served by regular flights to Ulaanbaatar, Khovd, and Mörön.

Notable people

References

  1. ^ "GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, by region, aimags and the Capital". www.1212.mn. Mongolian Statistical Information Service. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
  2. ^ RECS International Inc.; PADECO Co., Ltd.; Nippon Koei Co., Ltd. (December 2021). "Report on Pilot Projects and Supplemental Surveys for the Project for Formulation of National Comprehensive Development Plan" (PDF). Japan International Cooperation Agency. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  3. ^ "Bulgan". Aimagindex. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  4. ^ "Orkhon Province". Escape to Mongolia. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  5. ^ Rural Poverty Reduction Programme official site Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Bulgan Aimag Statistical Office: Annual Report 2008 Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Bulgan Aimag Statistical Office: Annual Report 2009 Archived July 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ a b c "БУЛГАН-80 ЖИЛ - СТАТИСТИКИЙН ЭМХЭТГЭЛ" (PDF). National Statistical Office of Bulgan Province (in Mongolian). 2018. p. 32. Retrieved 2026-03-18. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  9. ^ a b c d e "Булган". National Statistical Office of Mongolia (in Mongolian). Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  10. ^ Nyamdari, B. (31 October 2024). "THE 'HEADACHE' OF BULGAN RESIDENTS: Soil Contaminated by Toxic Chemicals". Gogo Mongolia. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  11. ^ "Хүн ам орон сууцны 2020 оны ээлжит тооллого - Нэгдсэн Дүн" (PDF). National Statistical Office of Bulgan Province (in Mongolian). 2020. p. 197. Retrieved 2026-03-19.
  12. ^ Bai, Jie; Milhaud, Stéphane; D'Angelo, Lou (December 2023). "Human Settlements in Mongolia" (PDF). Asian Development Bank. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  13. ^ "Mongolia: Human Settlements Development Program (Development Oriented Aimag Plans – Volume 1)" (PDF). Asian Development Bank. October 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2025.