Mongolia is trully one of the world's last undescovered travel destinations. It is also one of the highest countries in the world with an average elevation of 1580 metres - the highest peak, Tavanbogd Uul, at 4374 metres, has a magnificent glacier that towers over Mongolia, Russia and China. Between the peaks lay austere deserts, but elsewhere Mongolia has numerous saltwater and freshwater lakes, the largest of which is Lake Hovsgol. The Mongolian climate is extreme with long sub-arctic winters. But, with over 260 sunny days a year, it is also known as the 'Land of the Blue Sky'.

With a complex, colourful history and from a vast empire during the period of Mongol conquest under Chinggis (Genghis) and Kublai Khan, Mongolia, formerly known as Outer Mongolia (Inner Mongolia is governed by China), is now an independent democratic nation.

Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Alaska

Land boundaries: total: 8,162 km

border countries: China 4,677 km, Russia 3,485 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

Climate: desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges)

Terrain: vast semidesert and desert plains, grassy steppe, mountains in west and southwest; Gobi Desert in south-central

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Hoh Nuur 518 m

highest point: Nayramadlin Orgil (Huyten Orgil) 4,374 m

Natural resources: oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel, zinc, wolfram, fluorspar, gold, silver, iron, phosphate

Land use: arable land: 0.84%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 99.16% (1998 est.)

Irrigated land: 840 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards: dust storms, grassland and forest fires, drought, and "zud", which is harsh winter conditions

Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources in some areas; the policies of former Communist regimes promoted rapid urbanization and industrial growth that had negative effects on the environment; the burning of soft coal in power plants and the lack of enforcement of environmental laws severely polluted the air in Ulaanbaatar; deforestation, overgrazing, and the converting of virgin land to agricultural production increased soil erosion from wind and rain; desertification and mining activities had a deleterious effect on the environment

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note: landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia

The Mongolian way of life is nomadic and despite some urbanisation, the traditions of the steppes live on. Most Mongolians continue to live in gers, large white felt tents that can be moved easily and have a universal layout. Culturally rich and diverse, Mongolia's paintings, music and literature are dominated by Tibetan Buddhism and nomadism. Freedom of religion was restored in 1990 seeing a revival of Buddhism, Shamanism, and other religions.