Physical features

The Gobi extends about 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) from east to west. Its width varies from about 300 to 600 miles (480 to 965 kilometers). It is surrounded by mountain ranges. Although the Gobi is often thought of as a sandy desert, it is mostly bare rock.

The Gobi consists of five regions: the Ka-shun, Dzungarian, and Trans-Altai Gobi in the west; the Eastern, or Mongolian, Gobi in the center and east; and the Ala Shan Desert in the south. The Ka-shun Gobi has flat hills and rocky crests. This area is mostly waterless, though it does have some salt marshes. The Dzungarian Gobi and the Trans-Altai Gobi are elevated and rugged, with some barren mountains and hills. Springs, wells, and rainy days are very rare, but there is always water underground. The Ala Shan consists of an expansive, almost barren plain, with large areas covered in sand. The Eastern Gobi gets more rain than the western areas. It has almost no rivers, but underground waters are relatively common. They are also near the surface, feeding small lakes and springs.

Climate

In the Gobi summer is hot, winter is harsh and cold, and spring is dry and cold. Temperatures range widely, from -40° F (-40° C) in January to 113° F (45° C) in July. The annual total precipitation varies from less than 3 inches (8 centimeters) in the west to more than 8 inches (20 centimeters) in the northeast.

Plants and animals

Because of the dry climate, vegetation in the Gobi is sparse. It consists mostly of small, bushlike plants and desert grasses. The wildlife of the Gobi is varied, however. It includes wild camels and horses, different types of antelopes, and rodents such as marmots and gophers.

People and economy

The Gobi has a small population spread out over its huge area. There are fewer than three people per square mile (one per square kilometer). Most of them are Mongols, but some are Chinese.

The people of the Gobi are mostly nomadic, or wandering, herders. They move their animals from place to place in different seasons, living in domed, portable tents called yurts. Goats and sheep make up more than half of the herds. Large-horned cattle, horses, and camels are also raised. Some farming is done along the river valleys.

Study and exploration

The ancient trade route called the Silk Road passed through the Gobi. Europeans first learned of the region through the writings of the famous explorer Marco Polo in the 13th century. However, the Gobi remained virtually unknown to Europeans until the late 19th and 20th centuries. At that time Russia and Great Britain began exploring the territory. Since the 1960s China and Mongolia have been more active in exploration and research.

The most significant point of cultural interest in the Gobi is a group of Buddhist cave-temple complexes that date from the 4th to the 10th century. The complexes were discovered by scientists in 1907. The dry desert air has preserved the quality of the paintings and texts.

Environmental issues

The land along the edges of the Gobi has gentler conditions than the rest of the desert, making it a more attractive place to live. Since the 1950s, however, the rising population in these areas has led to overuse of the land. Soil erosion has increased and the amount of vegetation and grasslands has decreased. In the late 20th century pollution became a growing problem in the Gobi. An increase in industry and mining polluted the groundwater, which affected herds of livestock.