Aspen Ridge Yurt Overview:
The 30’ diameter Aspen Ridge Ranch Yurt was manufactured by Pacific Yurts.  It is a modern adaptation of the ancient shelter used by the Central Asian nomads for centuries. The compact shape of the yurt and combination of lightweight members in tension and compression mean that the structure is highly efficient in maximizing strength while minimizing the use of materials.

The Pacific Yurt is a lightweight, state-of-the-art version that retains the sense of wholeness of the ancient form while delivering the structural integrity, longevity, insulation and low maintenance demanded by modern users.
Though generally classified as a tent, the yurt is much stronger and weather tight. Our Pacific Yurt is a circular structure that consists of a durable fabric cover, tension band and a wood frame that includes a lattice wall, radial rafters, central compression ring, two framed doors, and a solid floor.

Above Information taken from Pacific Yurt

The History - What is a Yurt?
The word yurt is originally from the Turkic word meaning "dwelling place" in the sense of "homeland"; the term came to be used in reference to the physical tent-like structures only in other languages. In Russian, the structure is called "yurta" (юрта).  From Russian, the word came into English.

The original yurts consisted of a circular wooden frame carrying a felt cover. The felt is made from the wool of the flocks of sheep that accompany the pastoralists. The timber to make the external structure is not to be found on the treeless steppes, and must be traded for in the valleys below.

Enthusiasts in other countries have taken the visual idea of the yurt -- a round, semi-permanent tent -- and have adapted it to their cultural needs. Although those structures may be copied to some extent from the originals found in Central Asia, they have been greatly adapted and enhanced, and are in most cases, very different.

In the United States and Canada, yurts are made using hi-tech materials. They are highly engineered and built for extreme weather conditions. In addition, erecting one can take days and they are not intended to be moved often. Often the designs of these North American yurts barely resemble the originals; they are better named yurt derivations, because they are no longer round felt homes that are easy to mount, dismount and transport. North American yurts and yurt derivations were pioneered by William Coperthwaite (founder of the Yurt Foundation) in the 1960s[1], after he was inspired to build them by an article about Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas's visit to Mongolia[2].

Above information taken from Wikipedia.org