Page | 6Geographic Regions and Topographic Features
With an average altitude of 1,580 m (5,180 ft),
Mongolia is one of the world’s highest countries.^7
Mountains and mountain steppes occupy much of
its western, central, and northern regions, with
three major mountain ranges dominating the
terrain. In the far north, to the northeast of the
capital city of Ulaanbaatar, lie the Hentiyn
Mountains. Here, the peaks reach elevations of
more than 2,700 m (9,000 ft).8, 9 Higher yet are
the Hangayn Mountains, which trend northwest–
southeast through central and north-central Mongolia and reach heights above 3,900 m
(12,800 ft).^10 The Hentiyn and Hangayn Mountains contain most of Mongolia’s forests.^11
The third major mountain range in Mongolia is the Altai. This range runs in a generally
northwest–southeast direction to the southwest of the Hangayn Mountains and straddles
the western section of Mongolia’s border with China. Within the Altai is Nayramadlin
(Huyten) Peak, Mongolia’s highest point at 4,374 m (14,350 ft). It is located near where
the Russian, Chinese, and Mongolian borders meet. A section of the Altai Range also
extends eastward into the Gobi Desert region of southern Mongolia.
(^12) Unlike the Hentiyn
and Hangayn Mountains, the Altai contain limited forestlands. Most of these forest
clumps are scattered along river valleys.^13 Elevations and precipitation decrease in the
basins between the Hangayn and Atlai Mountains. These desert steppes host numerous
desert lakes and salt pans, and they also support limited grazing for sheep, goats, and
camels.14,^15
(^7) Donald R. DeGlopper, “Chapter 2: The Society and Its Environment: Geography: Landforms,” in
Mongolia: A Country Study, 2nd ed. (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1991), 61.
In far southern Mongolia, the climate becomes even more arid, marking the
(^8) Encyclopædia Britannica Online, “Hentiyn Mountains,” 2011,
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/262170/Hentiyn-Mountains
(^9) Donald R. DeGlopper, “Chapter 2: The Society and Its Environment: Geography: Landforms,” in
Mongolia: A Country Study, 2nd ed. (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1991), 61.
(^10) Encyclopædia Britannica Online, “Hangayn Mountains,” 2011,
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/254297/Hangayn-Mountains
(^11) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, “Mongolia: Forested Areas,” 13 May 2010,
http://www.fao.org/forestry/country/en/mng/
(^12) Encyclopædia Britannica Online, “Altai Mountains: Physical Features: Physiography,” 2011,
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/17446/Altai-Mountains
(^13) Encyclopædia Britannica Online, “Altai Mountains: Physical Features: Plant Life,” 2011,
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/17446/Altai-Mountains
(^14) Michael Koln, “Environment: The Land,” in Mongolia, 5th ed. (Footscray, Victoria, Australia: Lonely
Planet Publications, 2008), 48.
(^15) Legend Tour, “Information for Travelers: Geographical Features,” 2000,
http://www.legendtour.ru/eng/mongolia/informations/geographical_features.shtml