Mongolia

Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia, located between Russia to the north and China to the south. With an area of about 1.56 million square kilometres, it is one of the world's largest landlocked countries, yet its population is relatively small and widely dispersed. Much of the territory consists of grasslands, steppe, mountains and desert. The Gobi Desert covers a large part of the south, while the Altai, Khangai and Khentii mountain ranges rise in other regions.

Mongolia has a strongly continental climate, with long, very cold winters and short, warm summers. Rainfall is generally limited, especially in the south. The capital, Ulaanbaatar, lies in a valley in the north-central part of the country and is by far its largest city. Mongolia's landscapes support traditional pastoralism, with livestock such as sheep, goats, horses, cattle and camels playing an important role in rural life.

Mongolia is closely associated with the history of the Mongol Empire, founded by Temüjin, better known as Genghis Khan, in the early 13th century. The empire expanded rapidly across much of Eurasia and became one of the largest contiguous empires in history. Mongolian society has also preserved a strong nomadic heritage, reflected in traditional felt dwellings called gers and in seasonal livestock herding. During the 20th century, Mongolia became a socialist state closely aligned with the Soviet Union.

It adopted a democratic constitution in 1992 after the peaceful transition away from one-party rule. Today, mining is a major part of the economy, with important deposits of coal, copper and other minerals, while agriculture and livestock remain significant. Mongolian is the official language, the tögrög is the national currency, and Buddhism has historically played an important cultural role. Mongolia is also home to rare wildlife, including wild camels, snow leopards and the Przewalski's horse.