Mongolia, a landlocked country in East Asia, is sandwiched between China to the south and Russia to the north. It is the world's most sparsely populated sovereign country. Fertile land is nearly absent in Mongolia but there are vast stretches of grassy steppe, mountains, and deserts. The country also experiences harsh weather conditions. The Mongolians have, however, managed to adapt themselves to life in the raw nature of Mongolia.

Ulaanbaatar is the capital of Mongolia. It is located in the country's north-central part. Nearly half of Mongolia's population live in and around this city. It is also the world's coldest capital. The annual average temperature of Ulaanbaatar is around -1.3°C. The summers here are short and warm while winters are extremely dry and bitterly cold. January temperatures can drop to as low as −36 Mongolia.

Horses play a major role in the daily lives of Mongols. Horses symbolize the culture of the country and it is said that a Mongol without a horse is like a wingless bird. The most important use of horses is, however, for traveling from place to place. Horse racing is also a popular sport in Mongolia.