Statistics about Mongolia - Page 2

(October to April) and short, humid summers.

Temperatures vary widely, averaging -26 deg C (-15 deg F) in January and 16 deg C (61 deg F) in July at Ulan Bator. Rainfall is highly variable, and sudden downpours often cause flooding. Annual rainfall varies from about 460 mm (18 in) in the mountains to about 100 mm (4 in) in the Gobi. Mongolia is known for its clear, sunny days, averaging about 240 such days per year.

The country's steppe vegetation supports about 25 million head of livestock (1991), including sheep, cattle, horses, camels, and goats. Copper and molybdenum are mined at Erdenet, and some coal mining continues. Oil reserves are known to exist, although none are presently exploited. Plans for large-scale exploitation of phosphate near Lake Khubsugul have been at least temporarily shelved due to environmental concerns.