Bulgan Province () 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.

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

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)Rural Poverty Reduction Programme official site Population(2008)Bulgan Aimag Statistical Office: Annual Report 2008 Population(2009)Bulgan Aimag Statistical Office: Annual Report 2009 Population(2022) Bayan-Agt 2,8233,0143,048 3,375 Bayannuur 1,3031,4181,526 1,878 Bugat 1,7991,8731,890 2,144 Bulgan* 11,98412,32312,396 12,817 Büregkhangai 2,1232,3662,406 2,924 Dashinchilen 2,4222,3322,574 3,267 Gurvanbulag 3,2213,0523,119 3,008 Khangal** 4,4424,5744,700 2,666 Khishig-Öndör 3,0573,1963,171 3,364 Khutag-Öndör 4,2364,5614,591 3,204 Mogod 2,6092,6582,738 3,559 Orkhon 2,9412,9323,012 3,355 Rashaant 3,2063,0833,131 3,568 Saikhan*** 3,6853,7483,747 4,528 Selenge 3,0573,2483,271 3,021 Teshig 3,5203,4963,514 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. Around 74.5% of residents live in rural areas.

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%.

Economy

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

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

Notable people

Khatanbaatar Magsarjav, commander during the 1921 People's Revolution Anandyn Amar, prime minister Jamiyangiin Lhagvasuren, colonel general of the Mongolian People's Army and Hero of the Mongolian People's Republic Jügderdemidiin Gürragchaa, cosmonaut and Minister of Defense Naidangiin Tüvshinbayar, judoka and first Mongolian gold champion in the Olympics Dashbaldangiin Purevsuren, Opera singer and People's Artist of Mongolia

References

External links