The Altai chainThe Altai mountain range, or Altai Mountains, boasts the highest peak in Mongolia, on the border with Russia. © Christine Sasseau
Landlocked between Russia and China, Mongolia is one of the highest countries in the world. Indeed, although its peaks hardly ever go over 13,120 feet, the average altitude is nevertheless around 4,920 feet. The relief slopes from the west to the East and features three major geographical zones: wooded mountains, the steppe and the Gobi desert.