Gobi Desert Location: Asia (Mongolia and China)

The Gobi Desert is unequivocally in Asia. It spans Mongolia and China (Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Gansu), covering ~1.3M km² — Asia's largest desert, world's fifth-largest overall.

Geographic Context

Not in Africa. (Sahara, Namib, Kalahari are African)
Not in South America. (Atacama, Patagonian, Monte are South American)

Sub-Regions

• Gobi Lakes Valley (Mongolia) — brackish lakes, migratory birds
• Dzungarian Basin (China) — oil fields, extreme temps
• Alashan Plateau (China) — dune fields, camel range
• Trans-Altai Gobi (Mongolia) — mountain desert, snow leopard habitat

Climate Drivers

Rain shadow from Himalayas (blocking Indian monsoon) + distance from moisture sources + continental interior position = extreme aridity (50-200 mm), temperature extremes (-40°C to +45°C).

Significance

Dinosaur fossil treasure trove (Flaming Cliffs). Silk Road northern route. Cashmere goat herding. Rare earth minerals. Climate change sentinel — expanding ~3,600 km²/year (desertification).

Gobi = Asia. Always has been, always will be.