Bayan-Ölgiy aymag (Mongolian: Баян Өлгий, Kazak: Баян Өлгей, also spelled in English as Bayan Ulgii, Bayan Olgiy, Bayan Olgii, etc...) is one of the 21 provinces of Mongolia. It is located in the westernmost of Mongolia. Its capital is Ölgiy .

Bayan-Ölgiy aymag was established in 1940. It is very different from the rest of the country. Unlike the rest of Mongolia the main population in this aymag is Kazakh. Thus the speech, religion, and customs of the people are very different.

The highest mountain in Mongolia Hüyten Uul (4374 m) is located in this aymag, in the north, on the border with the People's Republic of China.

Because of recent articles, including the September '99 National Geographic article on the eagle hunters of that province "untouched by tourism" many tourists, sadly, have flocked to Bayan-Ölgiy in the last few years. Tourism, bringing much foreign money into a place, may be good for the economy, but is very detrimental to the culture of a people.

This Aymag is made up of thirteen administrative units; the aymag center Ölgiy and twelve soms (a som is a subdivisions of an aymag).

Soms

• Altantsögts
• Altay
• Bayannuur
• Bugat
• Bulgan
• Buyant
• Delüün
• Nogoonnuur
• Ölgiy
• Sagsay
• Tolbo
• Tsengel
• Ulaanhus

External links

• Bayan Ölgiy Information
• Bayan Ulgii (Mongolian)
• Bayan Olgiy Crafts for Sale