The largest desert in Asia is the Gobi Desert, which spans northern China and southern Mongolia. It covers an area of approximately 1.3 million square kilometers, making it one of the largest deserts in the world overall. The Gobi Desert is a cold desert, characterized by harsh temperature fluctuations between winter and summer, with some areas experiencing very little precipitation. The landscape includes vast steppes, gravel plains, and sand dunes. Despite its inhospitable environment, various plants and animals have adapted to survive, and the Gobi holds significant archaeological and paleontological importance.