II.

Land and Resources

The topography of Mongolia consists mainly of a plateau between about 914 and 1,524 m (3,000 and 5,000 ft) in elevation broken by mountain ranges in the north and west. The Altai Mountains in the south-west rise to heights above 4,267 m (14,000 ft). The Gobi covers a wide arid tract in the central and south-eastern areas.

A.

Rivers and Lakes

The most important rivers in Mongolia are the Selenga and its tributary, the Orhon, in the north. Large lakes include the Har Us, Hyargas, Uvs, and Hövsgöl.

B.

Climate

Mongolia’s climate is harsh, with temperatures ranging between -15° and -30° C (-5° and -22° F) in winter and 10° and 26.7° C (50° and 80° F) in summer. Winters are dry, and summer rainfall seldom exceeds 380 mm (15 in) in the mountains and 125 mm (5 in) in the desert.

C.

Natural Resources

Rich prairie land in the north-east and north-west supports large numbers of cattle, sheep, and goats. Mineral resources such as coal, iron, copper, fluorspar, gold, uranium, and silver have not been fully exploited.

D.

Plants and Animals

Mongolia contains forests of larch, pine, and cedar in the mountains, but these are of little economic importance. Fur-bearing animals, especially marmot and squirrel, are abundant, and the country has a well-developed fur industry.