Mongolia is a nation filled with stark geographic contrasts. With an average elevation of 1,580 meters (5,182 feet), it ranks among the highest countries in the world. In broad terms, Mongolia can be described as a country of three distinct geographic regions:

Perhaps the most dominant feature is the Mongolian Plateau, a region of gently rolling grasslands (steppes) that covers about two-thirds of central Mongolia. The treeless, semi-arid Mongolian steppes provide grazing land for "the five snouts" herded by nomads:  horses, oxen, sheep, goats, and camels.

The Mongolian Highlands include the Hentiyn Mountains in the northeast, the Hangayn mountains in west central Mongolia, and the high mountain peaks of the Altai Range which run northwest to southeast along Mongolia's southwestern border with China. Mt. Otgon Tenger, at 4,031 m (13,225 ft), is the highest peak in the Hangayn Range. Further east, the 2,751 m (9,026 ft) peak of Asralt Hayrhan is the highest point among the Hentiyn Mountains. At the westernmost tip of the country, straddling Mongolia's border with China along the Altai Range, sits Mt. Tavaubogdo, also called Nairamdal (Friendship Peak), at 4,374 m (14,350 ft), the highest point in Mongolia.

Mongolia's mountains support the southern edge of the great Siberian taiga, which covers about 10% of Mongolia with dense stands of larch and evergreen trees. This region also provides the headwaters for the few major rivers that drain the land and provide water for herdsmen across the plateau. Originating among the high peaks of the Hangayn Range in west central Mongolia, the great Selenge River flows northeast where it is joined by the Orhon River near the border with Russia. The Selenge continues north as the major drainage basin carrying water to Russia's Lake Baikal. Another of Mongolia's largest rivers, the Egiyn, carrys water from the beautiful Lake Hovsgol in northern Mongolia south then east before turning southeast to join the Selenge River on its journey to Lake Baikal. Beginning on the soutwest slopes of the Hangayn Mountains, the Dzavhars River flows southwest then turns northwest, eventually emptying into the crystal waters of Lake Hyargas in Uvs Province. Two great rivers originate in the Hentiyn Mountains:  the Orhon and Kereulen Rivers. The Orhon, which drains only a small portion of northern Mongolia, flows northeastward to join the Shilka River in southern Siberia and on to fill the mighty Amur River at Pokrovka on the Russia-China border. Finally, the Kereulen River begins its jouney among the peaks of the Hentiyn Mountains and flows south onto the Mongolian Plateau, where it bends northeast, draining the eastern steppes on its journey to Lake Hulun Ch'ih in nortwestern Manchuria.

The Gobi is a vast expanse of barren terrain that dominates the southern one-third of Mongolia. There are no trees and only sparse vegetation to maintain scattered herds of sheep, goats, and camels .