2,422,800 (1999).

1.5 per sq km.

Ulaanbaatar

627,200 (1997).

Mongolia has a 3485km (2165-mile) border with the Russian Federation in the north and a 4670km (2902-mile) border with China in the south. From north to south it can be divided into four areas: mountain-forest steppe, mountain steppe and, in the extreme south, semi-desert and desert (the latter being about 3% of the entire territory). The majority of the country has a high elevation, with the principal mountains concentrated in the west. The highest point is the peak of Tavan Bogd, in the Altai Mountains, at 4374m (14,350ft). The lowest point, Khukh Nuur lake, in the east, lies at 560m (1820ft). There are several hundred lakes in the country and numerous rivers, of which the Orkhon is the longest at 1124km (698 miles).

Republic. Declared independence from China in 1921. Head of State: President Natsagiyn Bagabandi since 1997. Head of Government: Prime Minister Rentsennyam Amarjargal since 1999.

Khalkh Mongolian is the official language. Kazak is spoken by 5% of the population. There are also many Mongolian dialects.

Buddhist Lamaism is the main religion.

GMT + 8 (Bayan Ulgii, Uvs & Khovd Aimags in western Mongolia GMT+7)

220 volts AC, 50Hz.