Ulan Bator is the capital of Mongolia. It is the most populous city in the country, with a population of over 1.3 million people. The city was founded in 1639 as a nomadic Buddhist monastic center. It has since grown to become the political, cultural, industrial, and financial hub of Mongolia. ULAN Bator is also home to many historical sites, including the Gandantegchinlen Monastery and the National Museum of Mongolia.