A frozen river is seen next to a group of houses located on the outskirts of the Mongolian capital city of Ulan BatorReuters
A frozen river is seen next to a group of houses located on the outskirts of the Mongolian capital city of Ulan BatorReutersA village is seen at the base of hills located on the outskirts of the Mongolian capital city of Ulan BatorReutersA frozen river is seen located on the outskirts of the Mongolian capital city of Ulan Bator April 6, 2012. Mongolia remains the least densely populated country on the planet at 1.7 persons per square kilometer. The population of just 2.7 million people are spread across an area three times the size of France, with two-fifths of Mongolians living in rural areas.ReutersA house with tents erected behind stands in a hilly landscape located on the outskirts of the Mongolian capital city of Ulan BatorReutersA herd of horses and sheep graze at the base of small hills located on the outskirts of the Mongolian capital city of Ulan BatorReutersA small-scale miner takes a break from digging on hills surrounding grasslands located around 200km (62 miles) south-west of the Mongolian capital city Ulan Bator April 4, 2012. Mongolia remains the least densely populated country on the planet at 1.7 persons per square kilometer. The population of just 2.7 million people are spread across an area three times the size of France, with two-fifths of Mongolians living in rural areasReutersA herder rides a horse on grasslands located around 200km (62 miles) south-west of the Mongolian capital city Ulan Bator April 4, 2012. Mongolia remains the least densely populated country on the planet at 1.7 persons per square kilometer. The population of just 2.7 million people are spread across an area three times the size of France, with two-fifths of Mongolians living in rural areas.ReutersA frozen lake is seen among sand dunes in the Gobi Desert located south of the Mongolian capital city of Ulan BatorReutersA house surrounded by a wall stands in a hilly landscape located on the outskirts of the Mongolian capital city of UlanReutersSand dunes are seen in the Gobi Desert, located south of the Mongolian capital city of Ulan BatorReuters
Hunting for a "Destination Unknown"? Pack your bags and head onto Mongolia. Landlocked between Russia and China, it is the least densely populated country on the planet. The population of the country is just 2.7 million spread across an area three times the size of France.
Mongolia is a country with lavish landscapes - with hot summer and bone-chillingly cold winter. It is believed to have the largest continuous temperate grassland in existence and is home to rare wildlife species, including large mammals such as ibex, Przewalski's horses, moose, camels, and two species of gazelles. It provides habitat for numerous rare or critically threatened birds, including six species of cranes (about half the world's crane species). Among them are the Siberian and white-naped cranes and Demoiselle crane.
Since the fall of communism, Mongolia has attempted to bring in globalisation and despite all its efforts to get international investment, it reportedly remains one of the poorest countries in Asia.
According to Lonely Planet, Mongolia is a place for people who enjoy the outdoors and adventure. It has beautiful scenic vast plains, one can ride horses and camp with nomad families and it offers a chance to step back in time to a simpler age and way of life. It is also is one of the unspoiled travel destinations in Asia with camel tours as a main tourist attraction.
While most Mongolians live in rural areas, about a third are nomadic or semi-nomadic, engaged in livestock herding. Along with tourism, mining and cashmere also contribute to the economy.
This is an ideal place for a adventurous traveller - with horse trekking, long distance cycling, hiking, fly fishing, star gazing, and yak carting.
Take a look at the aerial shots of the least densely populated country in the world:
