>Mongolia
History
Famed for its conquering hordes under Genghis Khan in the early 1200s, Mongolia came to dominate a good portion of the known world, though its heydey lasted for only about two centuries. After the Mongol empire broke up, China came to dominant both Inner and Outer Mongolia. Outer Mongolia tried to assert is independence from China in 1911 (the attempt failed) and in 1924, with Soviet support, a Mongolian People's Republic was formed. Soviet-sponsored purges of Mongolian leaders coupled with poorly considered attempts to institute centralized planning, made for dark early years of the republic. In 1990, the communist government ceded its constitutional power (although they were returned to power in 1992, running on a reform platform). In 1993, a coalition of opposing parties beat the communists once more. Mongolia faces enormous problems as it makes the progression to democracy and a free market economy but its youthful and growing population and financial support from countries such as the US will doubtless help.