High Mountain Zone
Mongolia is a mountainous country. The Mongolian Altai and Gobi Altai mountain ranges extend across nearly two-thirds of the nation's breadth. In the center of the country, the Khangai mountains divide Asia's continental watershed, lie the rugged and uninhabited Khentii mountains. In the far western Altai, Khuiten Peak in the Tavan Bogd mountains reaches 4653 meters, the highest point in the country. (The lowest point, in the Khokh Lake depression, at 532 meters, is far out on the eastern steppe.) The climate in the high mountain zone is extreme, with high winds, extreme cold, and a short growing season.

Taiga zone
Relatively few species are adapted to these harsh conditions. Located above the treeline, the zone is characterized by tundra, alpine-sedge meadows, highland swamps, and lichen-covered boulder fields Taiga (Forest) Zone. 
The taiga zone, which covers about 5% of Mongolia, experiences more precipitation ( 300 to 400 mm annually ) and lower temperatures than most of Mongolia, with cold, snowy winters and cool, rainy summers. In Mongolia, although affected by some mining and timber developments, the taiga remains largely undisturbed.

Mountain Forest Steppe zone
In the mountain forest-steppe zone, the species of Siberias taiga meet those of the Central Asian steppe. Mixed coniferous forest is found in cooler, moister northern slopes, while steppe vegetation predominates on other slopes. Providing habitat for species from both the steppe and the taiga, this zone has a high degree of biological diversity. Wide river valleys separate the hilly terrain characteristic of this zone. The mountain forest-steppe zone covers about 25% of Mongolia and is one of the most heavily populated areas in Mongolia. Its pastures, wood, and water make it an important area for herders and their livestock. The zone is also the site of some densely populated urban areas Steppe Zone.

Stepe zone
Steppe covers nearly the entire far eastern part of Mongolia, extending west in a narrowing band just south of the Khangai and Khan Khokhii mountains to the Depression of the Great Lakes. Varying from gently rolling terrain to areas as flat as a table, this ( sea of grass ) covers over 20% of Mongolia's land area. Mongolia's steppe lies in the eastern part of the vast plain that begins in eastern Europe and reachest the steppes of Manchuria. The steppe zone includes a distinctive group of flora and fauna. In the central and western areas of the country, the steppe provides many of the nation's most important grazing lands for domestic livestock. Here, one of the world's largest remaining examples of an undisturbed steppe ecosystem provides a home for hundreds of thousands of Mongolian gazelle and a diverse array of migratory birds.

Desert Steppe Zone (semi-desert)
Desert steppe occupies a large band, more than 20% of Mongolia's area, extending across the country between the steppe and desert zones. This zone includes the Depression of the Great Lakes, the Valley of the Lakes, and most of the area between the Khangai and Altai mountain ranges, as well as the eastern Gobi area. The zone includes many low-lying areas, soils with salt pans, and small ponds. The climate is arid with frequent droughts and annual precipitation of 100-125 mm, and frequent strong winds and dust storms strongly influence the area's vegetation. Many of Central Asia's endemic plant species are found here, as are some steppe and desert species of plants and animals.

Desert Zone
These areas provide habitat for many of Mongolia's threatened species, including the wild camel, Gobi bear, and wild ass. In particular, Dzungarian Gobi ( the western Gobi ) has a unique composition of animals and plants. Ancient fossils show that the Gobi was once part of a large inland sea basin. Climate is extreme. Precipitation may fall only once every two-three years and averages less than 100 mm annually. Temperatures climb as high as 40° C in summer and fall as low as -40° in winter. During the spring and fall, dangerously strong winds buffet the area with dust storms and wind speeds up to 140 km/hour.