What is an Aimag? Understanding Mongolia's Administrative Divisions

Aimak (also known as aimag, aimagu, or aimakli) is a term used in Mongolia and other parts of Central Asia to refer to an administrative division or region. The word is derived from the Mongolian language and is used to describe a geographical area that is governed by a single administration or government office.

In Mongolia, aimags are the second-level administrative divisions of the country, below the province (known as an "aimag" in Mongolian). Each aimag is further divided into smaller units called soums (districts) and then into banners (townships or rural areas).

Aimaks have been used in various parts of Central Asia for centuries, dating back to the time of Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire. Today, the term is still used in Mongolia, as well as in some other countries such as Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, where similar administrative divisions are known by different names.