THE FUN NEVER ENDS IN THE AUTONOMOUS REGIONS OF CHINA:

1. THE FUN NEVER ENDS IN THE AUTONOMOUS REGIONS OF CHINA: INNER MONGOLIA

2. Background Information • A region of the People’s Republic of China • Hohhot is the capital city • Temperate continental climate • Spring: warm & windy • Summer: short & hot with much rain • Autumn: temperatures begin to plummet • Winter: long, bitter, & extremely cold

3. Geography: • 7.22 million hectares of cultivated land • 86.67 million hectares of grasslands • 18.67 million hectares of forests • 50% of the land is above sea level • Over 1000 rivers of various sizes, including the Yellow River

4. Major mountain ranges: • Big Xingan Mountain • Yinshan Mountain • Helan Mountain • Major plains: • Liaohe Plain • Songnen Plain • Tumochuan Plain • River Bend Plain

5. Natural Resources • Livestock industry • Abundant mineral resources (more than 120 kinds) • Luminous energy & wind energy • Inner Mongolia is one of the most important bases of energy, raw material, iron and steel manufacture, coal products, forestry and dairy industries in China.

6. Population • 23.77 million people • Growth rate: 4.98% • 49 ethnic groups within the population, including Mongolian, Han, Manchu, Oroqen, and Korean • 3.97 million Mongolians, 18.75 million Han, and 900,010 of other ethnicities • Rural population of 13.78 million • 96.8% of young and middle aged people are literate

7. Economy • GDP in 2000: 140 billion yuan ($16.9 billion) • GDP per capita in 2000: 5,350 yuan ($646) • Industries: • Iron, steel, coal production bases • Forest, farm produce processing, electricity, electronics, textiles, sugar, paper making • National production base of cash grain, oil, & sugar • Unemployment Rate as of 2000: 3.34% • Trade: • Conducted with 100 countries • Exports divided into 1,000 categories • Foreign Investment in 2001: 18.4 billion yuan ($187 million)

8. A Brief History of Inner Mongolia • The region has been the home of many ethnic groups of North China in ancient times • During the 12th century, the Mongol ethnic group rose up, and Genghis Khan unified various tribes on the Mongolian plateau, and founded the nomadic noble state (Inner Mongolia being part of it) • Became Inner Mongolia in 1635 after Likdan Khan of the Chahars was defeated by the Manchus, • The Manchus soon annexed Inner Mongolia and by the end of the 17th century they also conquered Outer Mongolia • To be continued...

9. Customs and Traditions(Stuff they usually do) The Nadaam Festival(Which was apparently everyday in Inner Mongolia) Main Parts: - Wrestling - Archery - Horse Racing When does it take place? - Usually between the 11th and 13th of every July Why have a festival? - The festival was originally created to celebrate the passing of winter. The Mongolians would (and still) celebrate with three days of basically nothing but booze, grits, and some Karaoke. (Maybe not those specific things but there is food, liquor and singing involved.)

10. Customs and Traditions… contd. Wrestling - For centuries the Mongolians have been known for their legendary grappling skills - The present-day form of competition is nearly 1,000 years old, and has increased in popularity since the founding of The People's Republic of China Note: If you have wrestled a Mongolian, be proud of yourself… You went up against somebody from one of the most feared ancient civilizations.

11. Food…in Mongolian Culture(even though we were in Inner Mongolia) Milk Tea Milk tea is the traditional hot drink the Mongolian people like best. It is made by boiling the water with brick tea and fresh milk. People usually put a little salt into the milk when they drink it.Sometimes they put a little butter or stir-fried millet into the milk tea. Sour MilkGenerally, the Mongolian people like drinking sour milk, instead of drinking fresh milk… I don’t know why but…. Cooked Mutton This is the delicacy which the Mongolian people like best. It is only prepared for the special occasions, such as offering sacrifices to gods or ancestors, holding weddings or celebrating the elder's birthday. When the dinner party begging, it is customary for the Mongolian people to cut a piece of meat from the fat tail first and have a taste of it.

12. Ger (a.k.a. Yurt) Life • Mongolian Felt Tent • Traditionally used by nomadic Mongols as year-round housing • Design allows it to be warm during the winter and cool during the summer • Collapsible structure facilitates easy transport needed for nomadic lifestyle

14. Parts of a Ger: • Lattice Walls (khana) – crisscrossed lattice work resembling a baby gate • Door with wood framing • Roof Ring (toghona) – hoop of wood containing slots that roof poles can lock into; allows for smoke/air flow but can be covered with felt • Roof Poles (uni) – wooden beams that form the roof skeleton • Felt (isegei) – locally made; similar to canvas; secured using ropes

15. Entrance traditionally faces the south • One must not step on the threshold when entering the ger • Traditionally, male guests sit on the eastern side & female guests on the western side • Fireplace is situated in the center • Kitchen is situated on the eastern side • Beds of the master and mistress are situated on the northeast side • Opposite to the door, sacred possessions are displayed • New gers are built for newly wedded couples; presented by the boy’s family and furnished by the girl’s

16. Pictures

20. THANK YOU

21. The End...