Tuv Aimag (Province)
The area of Tuv aimag is considered as a part of the Khentii-Khangai mountain range and eastern Mongolian plains. Large mountains and valleys lie in the north of the aimag and a steppe with small hills and mounds sit in the south of the aimag. The territory of the aimag is located at the southwestern edge of the Khentii mountain range and at the eastern edge of the Khangai mountain ranges. It is bordered with Khentii aimag to the east, Govisumber and Dundgovi aimags to the south, Uvurkhangai and Bulgan aimags to the west and Selenge aimag to the north. Most of the territory of Tuv aimag is elevated at 1,200 to 1,500m above the sea level. The highest point is Asralt Khairkhan, the peak of the Khentii mountain range, elevated at 2,800m above the sea level. Ulaanbaatar city is located within the territory of the aimag.
Surface water is abundant in the northern areas of the aimag, including the Tuul river and its inflows Terelj, Gachuurt, Khongor, Khag, Uliastai and Khar Bukh rivers, headstreams and springs of Kharaa, Yeruu, Minj, Zakhar, Kherlen, and the Tenuun rivers. But in the southern areas of the aimag surface water is not so plenty. There are about 50 lakes with total area of 0.5km² or more. The surface water of this aimag is divided into 3 basins, the Arctic Ocean’s basin, the Pacific Ocean’s basin and the Central Asian basin. And junction point of these 3 basins, the Tsogtchandmani Mountain, which is located in the area of Erdene sum of Tuv aimag.
Trees like cedar, larch, aspen, bush, pine, larch, black alder and cornelian cherry. Berry bushes like species of plum, bird cherry, black currant and dog rose. Wild vegetables like wild onion, spring onion shallot, wild leek, wild garlic, silverweed, mushroom and herbs like licorice, seabuckthorn, hippophae, gentian, Bergenia crassifolia, bush tea and bind weed grow in the Khentii-Khangai mountain range.
Total area of the forest is 1,445.3 thousand ha and 90.8% or 1,312.7 thousand ha is covered with the actual forest and the remaining 9.2% or 132.6 thousand ha is an area that just surrounds the forest itself. Natural grown forest area is 977.8 thousand ha; planted trees and bushes total area is 166.6 ha. Whereas 504.8 thousand ha larch, 76.5 thousand ha pine, 273.3 thousand ha cedar, 4.4 thousand ha evergreen, 110 thousand ha birch, 4.6 thousand ha bush and 2 thousand ha aspen grow in the forest.
The 16 species of endangered animals including deer, doe, moose, Argali the wild sheep, snowcock, swan etc. are habited in the area of Tuv aimag. About 30 different species of game animals like squirrel, fox, marmot, steppe fox, boar, bear, lynx etc. live in the area too.
Cultural and historical sights: Historical sight complex in the southern valley of Ungut mountain in Altanbulag sum. Tombs and burial grounds belonging to various ages at the site of Morin Tolgoi. Khunnu tombs at Kharaa mountain in Batsumber sum. Gua Dov ancient city ruins in Bayanjargal sum. Scripted stone monument of Turkic era at Gashuun Baltastai in Bayantsagaan sum. Ruins of homestead at Boroo in Bornuur sum. The Stone Writing by Tsogt Taij in 1624, at Duutyn Khar Chuluu and a Turkic monument complex dedicated to Kul-Chur at Ikh Khushuut in Delgerkhaan sum. Manzushir (Manjusri) monastery ruins and engraved rock portraits in the vallye of Zuun Mod mountain in Zuunmod sum. Petroglyphs at Tereljiin Durvuljin, Burkhiin Durvuljin in Mungunmorit sum and at Uyangiin Uzuur in Undurshireet sum. Scripted stone monument of Tonyukuk at the site of Ar Janchivlan and Princes Temple at Baruunbayan in Erdene sum. Natural sights: Khagiin Khar Lake, Khentii Lake, Yest Spring, Ar and Uvur Janchivlin springs, Buuruljuut Spring, Asralt Khairkhan mountain, Burkhan Khaldun mountain, Nagalkhan mountain, Khustai mountain range, Eej (Mother) rock, Khavirga mountain pass, Yamaatyn saridag, Bayan, Bosgo and Tenger mountain passes.
