Geography

Mongolia is one of the bigger countries in the world with one of the smallest populations. Decreased in size over the last century it has 5 times more ethnic Mongolians living outside of the country than in it.

A vast land described by mountain ranges in the west and north with arid desert in the south and south-east. Lakes and rivers abound in the mountainous regions feeding green valleys in summer. The grasslands extend across the steppes sustaining nomadic people living very simple lives. The Gove, covering almost a quarter of the country is dry and sparsely populated.

I.6 million square kilometers, the equivalent of much of western Europe, land without sea or river port s, Mongolia is the 18th largest country in the world.  The biggest of the three mountain ranges is the Altay Nuu running from the north-west to the south-east, finishing at the Govi Desert region in the south. Parallel but north of this is the Khangaï Range which dominates the center of the country. East of the Capital Ulaanbaatar, are the Khentai Mountains. These mountains run out to the east into steppes and plains all the way to the border with Russian Siberia. The highest peaks are in the Altay (more than 4,000 m) while the Khangaï has the main water catchment for the country. The Khentai are rich with timber reserves and are the most accessible of the three.

The Selenge River runs from the Khangaï to the north-east feeding Lake Baikal in Siberia. Lake Hovsgol is the biggest of Mongolia’s lakes and is in the central north of the country. 130 km from south to north and 30 km east to west, its waters are brilliantly clear and clean. Surrounded by mountains it is truly spectacular.

In contrast the dry southern Govi Desert with its dunes and arid sparse grasses sustains only the hardiest flora and fauna. Sheep, goats and camels dominate this area, fit for little else.

Far from the influences of the great oceans, Mongolia has a continental climate – with extremely dry and cold winters with a temperate summer, with the rainy months in July and August... Well above sea level (average 1530 masl) the effect of the sun is marked. Clouds form rarely resulting in more than 270 sunshine days per year. The temperature ranges from minus 45°C in the winter to plus 75°C in summer. The spring is marked with strong winds that sweep down across the Govi carrying sand into China.

Natural erosion by wind is accentuated by grazing although the impact of man and beast is not great due to the small population and the vast spaces. Pollution is limited to the main city with the result that much of this great country remains untouched and in a good state of preservation;

The five species that Mongolians rely upon for sustenance are sheep, goats, horses, camels and reindeer. From these herds come food, clothing and transport. These animals outnumber the people by 12 to 1.

Wildlife includes wolves, foxes, rabbits, tar buck, marmot and badgers. Endangered species include antelope and brown bear.

Birds abound and cover many types – mainly hunting birds with large migratory flocks of geese, ducks and swallows returning in summer from the south. The rivers are well stocked with fish including salmon, trout and pike.

Pine and birch forests cover 1/6th of the country. Desert and semi-desert accounts for 1/3rd The Steppes support a variety of wild flowers in summer and make up around ½ of the total land area. The remainder is mountainous terrain.