Renchinlkhümbe, Khövsgöl

Renchinlkhümbe sum center

Renchinlkhümbe (Mongolian: Рэнчинлхүмбэ) is a sum of Khövsgöl aimag. The area is about 8,850 km², of which 2,910 km² are pasture and 35 % are forest. In 2000, the sum had 4284 inhabitants, mainly Darkhad. The sum center, officially named Zöölön (Mongolian: Зөөлөн), is located 265 km north of Mörön and 998 kilometers from Ulaanbaatar.

History

The Renchinlkhümbe sum was founded, together with the whole Khövsgöl aimag, in 1931. In 1933, it had about 1,800 inhabitants in 544 households, and about 32,000 heads of livestock. The local Altan Tal (Golden Steppe) negdel was founded in 1956. The Zöölöngiin Khüree monastery (est. in 1750) had been located near what is now the sum center since 1771.

Economy

In 2004, there were roughly 95,000 heads of livestock, among them 34,000 sheep, 30,000 goats, 21,000 cattle and yaks, 9,200 horses, and 170 camels.

Miscellaneous

The area forms part of the Darkhad valley (Darkhadyn Khotgor) and is considered remote and relatively inaccessible even for Mongolian standards. The local Darkhad are known for their practice of Shamanism. Erdeniin Bat-Üül worked as teacher in Renchinlkhümbe for several years.

Literature

M.Nyamaa, Khövsgöl aimgiin lavlakh toli, Ulaanbaatar 2001, p.121f