'Aimag' () is a
Mongolian and
Turkic word for a tribe. It is also used as a term for
country subdivisions in
Mongolia and
China. The name of the
Aimak peoples in central
Afghanistan derives from the same root.
Mongolia
In Mongolia, Aimags are the first level administrative subdivision (Provinces). Each aimag is again subdivided into
Sums. The capital
Ulan Bator is administrated as an independent municipality.
China
In the autonomous region of
Inner Mongolia in China, the traditional subdivision into aimags (leagues) had been preserved at first. The aimags represent the subdivision directly below the province level. Eventually most of the aimags were converted into prefecture level cities. As of 2004, the three aimags left are
Xilin Gol,
Hinggan, and
Alxa.