Editing Ulaanbaatar (section)

==Geography==
[[File:Ulan Bator, Mongolia, Sentinel-2 satellite image, 09-JUL-2017.jpg|thumb|Satellite image of Ulaanbaatar, showing the city core along the Tuul River Valley with Bogd Khan Mountain dominating the south. The city's ger districts sprawl into the mountainous areas in the north.]]

Ulaanbaatar is located at about {{convert|1350|m}} above mean [[sea level]], slightly east of the center of Mongolia, on the [[Tuul River]], a sub-[[tributary]] of the [[Selenga|Selenge]], in a valley at the foot of [[Bogd Khan Mountain]]. Bogd Khan Mountain is a broad, heavily forested mountain rising {{convert|2250|m}} to the south of Ulaanbaatar. It forms the boundary between the [[steppe]] zone to the south and the forest-steppe zone to the north. Traditionally, Ulaanbaatar is said to be surrounded by four peaks, clockwise from west: Songino Khairkhan, Chingeltei, Bayanzurkh, and finally Bogd Khan Mountain.

The forests of the mountains surrounding Ulaanbaatar are composed of evergreen pines, [[deciduous]] larches and [[birch]]es, while the riverine forest of the Tuul River is composed of broad-leaved, deciduous [[Populus|poplar]]s, [[elm]]s and [[willow]]s. Ulaanbaatar lies at roughly the same latitude as [[Vienna]], [[Munich]], [[Orléans]] and [[Seattle]]. It lies at roughly the same longitude as [[Chongqing]], [[Hanoi]] and [[Jakarta]].{{citation needed|date=March 2018}}

=== Climate ===
Owing to its high elevation, its relatively high latitude, its location hundreds of kilometres from any coast, and the effects of the [[Siberian anticyclone]], Ulaanbaatar is the coldest national capital in the world,<ref name="Montsame News Agency 2006, pg. 35">Montsame News Agency. ''Mongolia''. 2006, {{ISBN|99929-0-627-8}}, p. 35</ref> and the coldest city on the planet with more than a million inhabitants, with a [[monsoon]]-influenced, cold [[semi-arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''[[Cold semi-arid climate|BSk]]'', [[Trewartha climate classification|Trewartha]] ''BSbc'', USDA [[Hardiness zone|Plant Hardiness Zone]] 3b<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plantsdb.gr/en/general-cultivation/hardiness-zones/274-hardiness-zones-map|title=Hardiness Zones – WORLD MAP|publisher=Plantsdb.gr|date=15 August 1965|access-date=25 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416182710/http://www.plantsdb.gr/en/general-cultivation/hardiness-zones/274-hardiness-zones-map|archive-date=16 April 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>). Aside from precipitation and from a thermal standpoint, the city is on the boundary between [[humid continental climate|humid continental]] (''Dwb'') and [[subarctic climate|subarctic]] (''Dwc''). This is due to its {{convert|10|C|F}} mean temperature for the month of May.

The city features brief, warm summers and long, bitterly cold and dry winters. The coldest January temperatures, usually at the time just before sunrise, are between {{convert|-36|and|-40|°C|°F|1}} with no wind, because of [[temperature inversion]]. Most of the annual [[precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] of {{convert|267|mm|2}} falls from May to September. The highest recorded annual precipitation in the city was {{convert|659|mm|2|disp=or}} at the Khureltogoot Astronomical Observatory on Bogd Khan Mountain. Ulaanbaatar has an average annual temperature of {{convert|0.2|°C|1|disp=or}},<ref name="HKO">{{cite web|url=http://www.hko.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/world/eng/asia/china/ulaanbaatar_e.htm|publisher=[[Hong Kong Observatory]]|access-date=14 April 2010|title=Climatological Normals of Ulan Bator|archive-date=23 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023104134/http://www.hko.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/world/eng/asia/china/ulaanbaatar_e.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> making it the coldest capital in the world (almost as cold as [[Nuuk]], [[Greenland]], but Greenland is not independent). Nuuk has a tundra climate with consistent cold temperatures throughout the year. Ulaanbaatar's annual average is brought down by its cold winter temperatures even though it is significantly warm from late April to early October.

The city lies in the zone of [[discontinuous permafrost]], which means that building is difficult in sheltered locations that preclude thawing in the summer, but easier on more exposed ones where soils fully thaw. Suburban residents live in traditional [[yurt]]s that do not protrude into the soil.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://geography.about.com/od/physicalgeography/a/coldcapital.htm|title=Coldest Capital Cities|author=Matt Rosenberg|work=About.com Education|access-date=2006-11-11|archive-date=2011-12-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228065444/http://geography.about.com/od/physicalgeography/a/coldcapital.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Extreme temperatures in the city range from {{convert|-43.9|°C|°F}} in January 1957 to {{convert|39.0|°C|°F}} in July 1988.<ref name="pogoda" />

{{Weather box
| location = Ulaanbaatar, elevation {{convert|1303|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1869–present)
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| collapsed = 
| Jan record high C = 0.0
| Feb record high C = 11.3
| Mar record high C = 18.9
| Apr record high C = 28.7
| May record high C = 33.5
| Jun record high C = 38.3
| Jul record high C = 39.0
| Aug record high C = 36.7
| Sep record high C = 31.7
| Oct record high C = 22.5
| Nov record high C = 13.0
| Dec record high C = 6.1
| year record high C = 
| Jan high C = -15.5
| Feb high C = -9.4
| Mar high C = -0.2
| Apr high C = 10.4
| May high C = 17.8
| Jun high C = 23.1
| Jul high C = 25.2
| Aug high C = 23.0
| Sep high C = 17.2
| Oct high C = 7.7
| Nov high C = -4.8
| Dec high C = -13.7
| year high C = 6.7
| Jan mean C = -21.3
| Feb mean C = -16.2
| Mar mean C = -6.7
| Apr mean C = 3.0
| May mean C = 10.2
| Jun mean C = 16.6
| Jul mean C = 19.0
| Aug mean C = 16.6
| Sep mean C = 10.0
| Oct mean C = 0.9
| Nov mean C = -10.6
| Dec mean C = -19.0
| year mean C = 0.2
| Jan low C = -25.6
| Feb low C = -21.7
| Mar low C = -12.6
| Apr low C = -3.3
| May low C = 3.5
| Jun low C = 10.3
| Jul low C = 13.5
| Aug low C = 11.1
| Sep low C = 4.1
| Oct low C = -4.5
| Nov low C = -15.1
| Dec low C = -22.9
| year low C = -5.3
| Jan record low C = -43.9
| Feb record low C = -42.2
| Mar record low C = -37.2
| Apr record low C = -26.1
| May record low C = -16.1
| Jun record low C = -3.9
| Jul record low C = -0.2
| Aug record low C = -2.8
| Sep record low C = -13.4
| Oct record low C = -20.0
| Nov record low C = -35.0
| Dec record low C = -42.2
| year record low C = 
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 2.1
| Feb precipitation mm = 2.8
| Mar precipitation mm = 4.6
| Apr precipitation mm = 8.4
| May precipitation mm = 21.7
| Jun precipitation mm = 47.2
| Jul precipitation mm = 74.5
| Aug precipitation mm = 65.4
| Sep precipitation mm = 27.9
| Oct precipitation mm = 8.6
| Nov precipitation mm = 6.3
| Dec precipitation mm = 3.5
| year precipitation mm = 
| unit precipitation days =  1.0 mm
| Jan precipitation days  =1.3
| Feb precipitation days  =1.6
| Mar precipitation days  =1.8
| Apr precipitation days  =2.5
| May precipitation days  =3.7
| Jun precipitation days  =6.7
| Jul precipitation days  =9.9
| Aug precipitation days  =8.8
| Sep precipitation days  =4.9
| Oct precipitation days  =2.1
| Nov precipitation days  =2.8
| Dec precipitation days  =1.7
| year precipitation days =
| Jan rain days = 0
| Feb rain days = 0
| Mar rain days = 0.3
| Apr rain days = 3
| May rain days = 8
| Jun rain days = 14
| Jul rain days = 17
| Aug rain days = 15
| Sep rain days = 9
| Oct rain days = 2
| Nov rain days = 0.1
| Dec rain days = 0
| year rain days = 68
| Jan snow days = 10
| Feb snow days = 7
| Mar snow days = 7
| Apr snow days = 6
| May snow days = 4
| Jun snow days = 0.1
| Jul snow days = 0
| Aug snow days = 0
| Sep snow days = 2
| Oct snow days = 6
| Nov snow days = 9
| Dec snow days = 11
| year snow days = 62
| Jan humidity = 74.7
| Feb humidity = 69.5
| Mar humidity = 57.6
| Apr humidity = 44.2
| May humidity = 42.7
| Jun humidity = 50.1
| Jul humidity = 58.2
| Aug humidity = 60.8
| Sep humidity = 56.1
| Oct humidity = 56.9
| Nov humidity = 68.3
| Dec humidity = 75.1
| year humidity = 62
<!-- Dubious dew point values
| Jan dew point C =-24.4
| Feb dew point C =-18.0
| Mar dew point C =-5.4
| Apr dew point C =6.0
| May dew point C =14.7
| Jun dew point C =21.1
| Jul dew point C =22.9
| Aug dew point C =19.6
| Sep dew point C =12.1
| Oct dew point C =1.4
| Nov dew point C =-11.6
| Dec dew point C =-21.8
-->
| Jan sun = 164.2
| Feb sun = 203.5
| Mar sun = 257.4
| Apr sun = 265.3
| May sun = 297.9
| Jun sun = 282.3
| Jul sun = 278.3
| Aug sun = 265.2
| Sep sun = 249.5
| Oct sun = 227.6
| Nov sun = 175.4
| Dec sun = 137.7
| year sun = 
| source 1 = Pogoda.ru.net<ref name=pogoda>
{{cite web|url=http://www.pogodaiklimat.ru/climate4/44292.htm|script-title=ru:КЛИМАТ УЛАН-БАТОРА|publisher=Pogoda.ru.net|language=ru|access-date=4 January 2015}}</ref>
| source 2 = [[NOAA]](humidity-sun 1991-2020)<ref name="WMOCLINO">{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210717012832/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-2-WMO-Normals-9120/Mongolia/CSV/Ulaanbaatar_44292.csv | archive-date = 17 July 2021 | url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-2-WMO-Normals-9120/Mongolia/CSV/Ulaanbaatar_44292.csv |format=CSV |archive-format=CSV | title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020: Ulaanbaatar | publisher = [[NCEI|National Centers for Environmental Information]] | access-date = 2 August 2023}}</ref>
}}

{{Weather box
| width = 
| collapsed = 
| location = [[Buyant-Ukhaa International Airport]] weather station (WMO identifier: 44291) (between 1991-2020)
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| Jan dew point C = -24.7
| Feb dew point C = -20.9
| Mar dew point C = -14.5
| Apr dew point C = -9.6
| May dew point C = -3.8
| Jun dew point C = 4.5
| Jul dew point C = 9.4
| Aug dew point C = 7.9
| Sep dew point C = 0.5
| Oct dew point C = -7.6
| Nov dew point C = -15.7
| Dec dew point C = -22.6
| source = [https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-2-WMO-Normals-9120/Mongolia/CSV/Ulaanbaatar_44292.csv]<ref>{{cite web
|url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-2-WMO-Normals-9120/Mongolia/CSV/Ulaanbaatar_44292.csv
|title = Climate & Weather Averages at Ulan-Bator weather station
|publisher = NOAA
|access-date = 10 August 2023}}</ref>
}}

=== Cityscape ===
[[File:Ulaanbaatar new buildings in Yaarmag.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|New high-rise construction in Yaarmag area]]
The city's inner core consists of a central district built in 1940s- and 1950s-style Soviet architecture, surrounded by and mingled with residential [[Ugsarmal bair|concrete towerblocks]] and large [[ger district]]s. Starting after the fall of communism, many of the towerblocks' ground floors were modified and upgraded to small shops, and many new buildings have been erected—some illegally, as some private companies erect buildings without legal licenses/permits. Since the 2010s, a construction boom has been ongoing, leading to many high-rise apartment and office blocks in the inner core as well as new settlement areas.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2023-05-10 |title=Mongolia's building boom traps capital residents in concrete jungle |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230510-mongolia-s-building-boom-traps-capital-residents-in-concrete-jungle |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref>
[[Sükhbaatar Square]], in the government district, is the center of Ulaanbaatar<ref>Montsame News Agency.  ''Mongolia'', 2006; {{ISBN|99929-0-627-8}}, p. 34</ref> and contains in the middle a statue of [[Mongolian Revolution of 1921|revolutionary hero]] [[Damdin Sükhbaatar]] on horseback; and in the north side a statue of [[Genghis Khan|Chinggis Khan]]. To the north is the [[Government Palace (Mongolia)|Government Palace]], while Peace Avenue (''Enkh Taivny Urgon Chuloo''), the main thoroughfare through town, runs along the south side of the square.<ref>Kohn, p. 52</ref>

Major landmarks include the [[Gandantegchinlen Monastery]],<ref>"Documentation of Mongolian Monasteries" http://mongoliantemples.org/index.php/en/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151217073844/http://www.mongoliantemples.org/index.php/en/|date=2015-12-17}}</ref> the socialist monument complex at [[Zaisan Memorial]] with its views over the city, the [[Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan|Bogd Khan's Winter Palace]], and the [[Choijin Lama Temple]].<ref>"Mongolia: Museum Highlights", San Francisco, 2005, p. 89</ref> Mongolia's tallest building is the Shangri-La Hotel complex at 91.5&nbsp;m.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar Hotel - The Skyscraper Center |url=https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/shangri-la-ulaanbaatar-hotel/17788 |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=www.skyscrapercenter.com}}</ref>

Important shopping districts include the 3rd Microdistrict Boulevard (simply called ''Khoroolol'' or "the District"), Peace Avenue around the [[State Department Store]] (simply called ''Ikh Delguur'' or "Great Store") and the [[Narantul Market]] area (simply called ''Zakh'' or "the Market").

Ulaanbaatar presently has multiple cinemas, one modern ski resort, two large indoor stadiums, several large department stores and one large amusement park. Food, entertainment and recreation venues are steadily increasing in variety. 

=== Parks ===
[[File:Gorkhi-Terelj National Park.jpg|thumb|[[Gorkhi-Terelj National Park]] is a popular picnic and camping ground all year round]]

A number of national parks and protected areas officially belong to the city. [[Gorkhi-Terelj National Park]], a nature preserve with many tourist facilities, is approximately {{convert|70|km|0|abbr=on}} from Ulaanbaatar. Routes 2 and 3 of the long-distance hiking trail [[Mongol Olle Trail]] are located within this park. The {{convert|40|m|ft|adj=mid|abbr=off|-high}} [[Equestrian statue of Genghis Khan|Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue]] is {{convert|54|km|0|abbr=on}} east of the city center.

[[Bogd Khan Mountain|Bogd Khan Uul]], which dominates the south, is a strictly [[protected area]] with a length of {{convert|31|km|mi|abbr=off}} and width of {{convert|3|km|mi|abbr=off}}, covering an area of {{convert|67,300|ha|0|abbr=off}}. Nature conservation dates back to the twelfth and thirteenth centuries when the [[Toghrul|Tooril Khan]] of the Mongolian Ancient [[Keraites|Keraite]] Aimag – who prohibited logging and hunting activities – claimed the Bogd Khan as a holy mountain.<ref>{{cite web |title=Biosphere Reserve Information: BOGD KHAN UUL |url=http://www.unesco.org/mabdb/br/brdir/directory/biores.asp?code=MON+02&mode=all |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218003706/http://www.unesco.org/mabdb/br/brdir/directory/biores.asp?code=MON+02&mode=all |archive-date=2016-02-18 |access-date=2015-12-11}}</ref> The ruins of [[Manjusri Monastery]] are located on the southern flank of Bogd Khan Mountain and is a popular destination for outings.

The [[National Amusement Park]] is an amusement park located in the downtown section, south of Shangri-La Hotel. It is also a popular place for young people to hang out. This small amusement park features rides, games and paddle boats. Its original [[Artificial Lake Castle]] was built in 1969.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forty Thousand Trees Planted at the National Amusement Park of Mongolia |url=https://montsame.mn/en/read/347100 |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=MONTSAME News Agency |language=en}}</ref>

The [[National Garden Park (Ulaanbaatar)|National Garden Park]], in the southeastern outskirts of the city, opened in 2009 and has become a popular summer destination for residents. It has a total area of 55 hectares, with over 100,000 trees planted. The park is geared towards becoming an educational center for healthy, responsible living as well as environmental education.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Garden Park {{!}} Urban Nature Atlas |url=https://una.city/nbs/ulaanbaatar/national-garden-park |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=una.city |language=en}}</ref>

Other city parks, gardens or forest in the city are [[Bogd Khaan Memorial Garden]], [[Korea-Mongolia Friendship Forest]] and [[Misheel Botanical Garden]].