With Mongolia fast becoming a significant exporter of minerals and raw materials, this book provides a full account of political and economic events in this important country. It focuses on the period since the establishment of the Soviet-backed Mongolian People's Republic in 1924 and the transition towards a democratic free market system since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Covering key topics in Mongolia's recent development, the book looks at: economic and political reform process the role of the private sector foreign aid trade and investment the attempts to tackle pressing issues such as growth, inflation, unemployment, poverty, problems of climate and weather, and pollution. This book is an important resource for anyone seeking to understand this fascinating country's affairs.