GER - MONGOLIA
GER - MONGOLIA
Weather & Climate
Mongolia has an extreme continental climate. The winter is long and cold but summer is hot and short. In Mongolia there are 250 sunny days a year, often with clear cloudless skies. Mongolia is known as a country of "Blue Sky".
Location:
All about the ger:
The ger is suited to Mongolia's harsh terrain and lifestyle. It is a round felt tent covered in durable, waterproof, white canvas which can be moved from place to place. This is because the Mongolians were nomads. Nomads need to move access the country in all four seasons. Gers can be packed onto the back of their animals and moved around.
Building the ger:
The Mongolian ger has two key parts: the wooden framework and the felt cover.
There are 88 wooden poles for the outside frame and just 2 central columns in the middle. It has a wooden floor. The door is always on the southern side facing the sun, providing more light inside the windowless home.
The two central columns are the only things holding up the whole structure and no matter how many people are in ger ( you would be amazed how many can fit in and even sleep in a ger), no one ever leans against either of the support columns. This is considered very bad luck.
The felt is resilient to Mongolia 's strong winds, while it dries quickly for when it rains or snow melts.
A Mongolian "ger"
Inside the ger:
A ger is divided into three areas. The male section is on the Western or left side, the female section is on the Eastern or right side and the area opposite the door is called the khoimer. This is where valuable objects are stored or displayed, as well as a small Buddhist shrine. This is the most important part of the ger and guests are often invited to sit at the khoimer.
The central post holding up the ger.