The city of Khovd is the capital of the province of the same name. It sits at 1,405 meters altitude in the valley of the Buyant River, at the foot of Yamaat Ulaan mountain. It has approximately 28,000 inhabitants, and many ethnic minorities are represented: Öölds, Khalkhs, Zakhchins, Torguuds, Uriankhais, Myangads, Dörvöds, Bayads, Kazakhs, Chantuus (Uzbeks) and Üzemchins.

1,400 km separate Khovd from the capital, Ulan Bator. It takes approximately 40 hours of driving to connect the two cities. A regular airline also links the two cities; the flight takes approximately 2.5 hours.

There is a one-hour time difference between Khovd and Ulan Bator.

History

The city was founded by Khan Galdan Boshogt of Züün Gar in the 17th century. It was initially located on the banks of the Khovd River, in what is now the sum of Erdenebüren. Agriculture developed around the city, drawing its expertise from the experience of prisoners (mainly Muslim peasants) from Central Asia and Xinjiang.

After 1757, following the destruction of the Züüngar Khanate, the city was relocated to the banks of the Buyant River by the Qing administration.

On August 7, 1912, Mongolian troops, under the joint command of Manlai Baatur Damdinsuren, Khatanbaatar Magsarjav and Ja Lama Dambiijantsan, took control of the city, destroyed all Manchu and Chinese garrisons, and abolished Qing power.

Climate

Khovd has a cold desert climate with long, harsh, dry winters and short, warm summers. Precipitation is very low and concentrated during the summer months.