Location of the Gobi Desert

The **Gobi Desert** spans **Mongolia (north) and China (south)** in **Central Asia**. Key facts:

• Area: ~1.3 million km² (5th largest desert).
• Coordinates: ~40°–50°N, 90°–110°E.
• Type: Cold winter desert (BWk); not sandy—mostly gravel plains (gobi = "waterless place" in Mongolian), rocky outcrops, dunes only in parts (Khongoryn Els).
• Climate: Extreme continental: -40°C winter, +45°C summer; <200 mm precipitation.
• Notable features: Flaming Cliffs (dinosaur fossils), Yolyn Am (ice gorge), Singing Dunes, Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area (Bactrian camel, Gobi bear, snow leopard).
• Silk Road: Southern rim hosted ancient trade routes.

Expanding due to desertification (overgrazing, climate change). China's "Green Great Wall" afforestation aims to halt southward advance.