GEOGRAPHY

1,566.000 sq km in area - about three times the size of France; over twice the size of Texas, USA; and almost as large as Queens-land, Australia- Apart from the period of Mongol conquest under Chinggis Khaan and Kublai Khaan. Mongolia was until the 20th century about twice its present size. A large chunk of Siberia was once part of Mongolia but is now securely controlled by Russia, and Inner Mongolia is now firmly part of China.
Conservationists divide Mongolia into six zones:

Desert
Spread out over the most southern sliver of the Gobi Desert and stretching into China, this zone has very little vegetation, livestock, wildlife, population or rain.

Desert Steppe
This includes the lower-lying areas of western Mongolia and most of the Gobi (except for the far southern section). Covering about 20% of the country, this dry and sparsely populated zone has satt lakes and sand dunes.

Mountain
This zone covers the Khangai and Mongol Altai mountains in Arkhangai, Khovd and Bayan-Olgiii provinces. It is very cold and wet all year and sparsely populated, but home to some of the country's most endangered animals.

Mountain Forest Steppe
These grasslands are found in the central and northern provinces (dominated by the Orkhon and Selenge rivers), and in the western provinces of Khovd and Bayan-Olgii. The zone covers about 25% of Mongolia, is home to gazelles and antelopes, and has a relatively high number of people and livestock.

Steppe
This is spread over the southern pan of Tov province and most of eastern Mongolia. Covering about 20% of the country, it is home to vast numbers of gazelles, birdlife and livestock, but is sparsely populated.

Taiga
This area of larch and pine forests is found in Khetii province, around Khovsgol Nuur lake, and stretches into Siberia. It is also wet and cold.


Mongolia is also one of the highest countries in the world, with an average elevation of 158Uin. In the far west are Mongolia's highest mountains, the Mongol Altai Nuruu, which are permanently snowcapped. The highest peak, Tavanbogd Uul (4374m), has a magnificent glacier towering over Mongolia, Russia and China. Between the peaks are stark deserts where rain almost never falls. It's an incredibly beautiful, rocky landscape with a few scattered forests in some of the better-watered valleys.

Mongolia has numerous saltwater and freshwater lakes which are great for camping, watching birdlife, hiking swimming and fishing. The most popular is the magnificent Khovsgol Nuur, which contains up to 2% of the world's fresh water. The largest is the low-lying, saltwater Uvs Nuur. Also worth exploring are Achit, Uureg, Khar Us and Terkhlin Tsagaan lakes.