Khovd

Khovd is the capital of Khovd Province in western Mongolia. The city sits on the northern bank of the Khovd River in the Dzungarian Basin, close to the country’s western border with China. It serves as the administrative, economic, and transportation center for the surrounding region. The surrounding landscape is a high-desert steppe with a continental climate, featuring long, cold winters and warm summers.

Historically, Khovd developed as a regional trading post along caravan routes linking Mongolia with other parts of Asia. In the 20th century it grew into the provincial capital and a hub for governance, commerce, and services for western Mongolia.

Demographically, the city hosts a diverse population including Mongol and Kazakh communities. Mongolian is the predominant language, with Kazakh spoken by local communities and other minority groups contributing to the region’s cultural mix.

The economy of Khovd is based on animal husbandry, agriculture, and regional trade, complemented by services that support the surrounding rural areas. The city is connected by road to other western aimags and to Ulaanbaatar, and it has a regional airport that provides domestic flights.

Educational and cultural institutions serve the province through primary, secondary, and higher education facilities, alongside cultural organizations and events representative of western Mongolia. Khovd functions as a focal point for administration, commerce, and daily life in the region, while maintaining the characteristics of a frontier provincial center.