Mongolia has three main physical features. These are the Mongolia Plateau, the highlands, and the Gobi desert.The Mongolian Plateau may be the most dominant of the three. It is a region of rolling grasslands (steppes) which covers almost two-thirds of central Mongolia. These steppes are treeless and semi-arid. They provide good grazing areas for the five main types of animals herded by Mongolian nomads: oxen, horses, sheep, goats, and camels.
The second geographical feature of Mongolia is the highlands. These include the Hentiyn Mountains, which are located in the northeast part of the country, the Hangayn mountains in west central Mongolia, and the Altai Range, which runs along Mongolia's southwestern border with China. Mt. Tavaubogdo, also called Nairamdal (Friendship Peak), in the Altai Range, has its peak at 14,350 ft above sea level, and it is the highest point in Mongolia. 14,350 feet sounds extremely high, and it is. But the entire country of Mongolia has an average elevation of 5,182 feet above sea level, making it one of the highest countries in the world. So when compared with the rest of the country, Nairamdal doesn't sound quite as high. The mountains support the southern edge of the Siberian taiga. The taiga covers about 10% of the country. This region provides headwaters for the major rivers of Mongolia and provide water for people across the Mongolian Plateau. The Selenge, the Orkhon, the Egiyn, and the Kereulan are some main rivers of this vast country. The Selenge and Orkhon rivers connect near Russia's border. The Egyin also joins these rivers.
The Gobi desert is the third main physical feature. It is a vast area of barren terrian. Dominating the southern third of Mongolia as well as part of China, there are no trees in the Gobi. Sparse vegetation is all that maintains scattered herds of sheep, goats, and camels. The Gobi covers 1,295,00 square kilometers (500,002 sq mi), and is the largest desert in Asia and the fifth largest desert in the world.
The second geographical feature of Mongolia is the highlands. These include the Hentiyn Mountains, which are located in the northeast part of the country, the Hangayn mountains in west central Mongolia, and the Altai Range, which runs along Mongolia's southwestern border with China. Mt. Tavaubogdo, also called Nairamdal (Friendship Peak), in the Altai Range, has its peak at 14,350 ft above sea level, and it is the highest point in Mongolia. 14,350 feet sounds extremely high, and it is. But the entire country of Mongolia has an average elevation of 5,182 feet above sea level, making it one of the highest countries in the world. So when compared with the rest of the country, Nairamdal doesn't sound quite as high. The mountains support the southern edge of the Siberian taiga. The taiga covers about 10% of the country. This region provides headwaters for the major rivers of Mongolia and provide water for people across the Mongolian Plateau. The Selenge, the Orkhon, the Egiyn, and the Kereulan are some main rivers of this vast country. The Selenge and Orkhon rivers connect near Russia's border. The Egyin also joins these rivers.
The Gobi desert is the third main physical feature. It is a vast area of barren terrian. Dominating the southern third of Mongolia as well as part of China, there are no trees in the Gobi. Sparse vegetation is all that maintains scattered herds of sheep, goats, and camels. The Gobi covers 1,295,00 square kilometers (500,002 sq mi), and is the largest desert in Asia and the fifth largest desert in the world.