Total population | |
---|---|
(10 million (2010)) | |
Regions with significant populations | |
China (Inner Mongolia) |
5,981,840 (2010) |
Mongolia | 2,921,287 |
Russia | 647,417 |
South Korea | 34,000 |
United States | 15,000–18,000 |
Kyrgyzstan | 12,000 |
Czech Republic | 7,515 |
Japan | 5,401 |
Canada | 5,350 |
Germany | 3,852 |
United Kingdom | 3,701 |
France | 2,859 |
Turkey | 2,645 |
Kazakhstan | 2,523 |
Austria | 1,955 |
Malaysia | 1,500 |
Languages | |
Mongolian language | |
Religion | |
Predominantly Tibetan Buddhism, background of shamanism. minority Sunni Islam, Eastern Orthodox Church, Taoism, Bön and Protestantism. | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Proto-Mongols, Khitan people |
The Mongols (Mongolian: Монголчууд, Mongolchuud, [ˈmɔŋɡɔɮ.t͡ʃuːt]) are an East-Central Asian ethnic group native to Mongolia and China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. They also live as minorities in other regions of China (e.g. Xinjiang), as well as in Russia. Mongolian people belonging to the Buryat and Kalmyk subgroups live predominantly in the Russian federal subjects of Buryatia and Kalmykia.
The Mongols are bound together by a common heritage and ethnic identity. Their indigenous dialects are collectively known as the Mongolian language. The ancestors of the modern-day Mongols are referred to as Proto-Mongols.
Broadly defined, the term includes the Mongols proper (also known as the Khalkha Mongols), Buryats, Oirats, the Kalmyk people and the Southern Mongols. The latter comprises the Abaga Mongols, Abaganar, Aohans, Baarins, Gorlos Mongols, Jalaids, Jaruud, Khishigten, Khuuchid, Muumyangan and Onnigud.