Bayan-Ulgii aimag is situated in the extreme west of Mongolia, on the West and North it borders with the Russian Federation and on the South-West with the People’s Republic of China. The Nairamdal peak 14,350 feet (4374 m) of the Altai Tavan Bogd mountain is the highest point, Khovd, the biggest river (321 miles /516 km in length) in the country flows through the territory of the aimag. There are many fresh water lakes in Bayan-Ulgii. Tolbo and Dayan lakes are the largest. This aimag is well-known for Ak-su, Chigertei and other springs. Every part of Bayan-Ulgii aimag is suitable for pasture. Rich flora of Bayan-Ulgii includes kobresia, sedge in the mountain plateau, gooseberry and ribes altissimum, also wild cherry, and sea bucks can be found along the banks of streams and rivers. 10 percent of the area is forest, consisting mainly of larches. Geological surveys have proved that this territory contains fossils, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, oil and building material resources. There are wild sheep, ibex, and snow leopards in the Altai high mountain range and marmots, foxes inhabit the lower slopes of mountains. There are bears, lynxes, and squirrels in the forests. 80 percent of the population is Kazakh and 17 percent is Uriankhai. In 1998, Bayan-Ulgii aimag harvested over 3.000 tons of grain, 600 tons of forage, and 21.452 tons of potatoes and vegetables. The coal mine of Bayan-Ulgii aimag produces 404.000 tons of coal and it’s trade turnover is over 166.7 million tugriks.

The Mongol Altai Nuruu is the backbone of Bayan-Olgii. The highest peaks, many over 4000m, are permanently covered with glaciers and snow, while the valleys have a few green pastures, which support about two million livestock, as well as bears, foxes and lynxes. These valleys are dotted with small communities of nomadic families enjoying the short summer from mid-June to late August, as well as some beautiful alpine lakes.

The ethnic groups who call Bayan-Olgii home are comprised of the Kazakh, Khalkh. Dorvod, Uriankhai, Tuva, and Khoshuud. Unlike the rest of Mongolia, which is dominated by the Khalkh Mongols. About 90% of Bayan-Olgii’s population are Kazakh, almost all of them Muslim. The remaining 10% are mostly obscure minority groups.