****Mandalgovi (also Mandalgov' or Mandalgobi) is the capital of the Dundgovi Province of Mongolia, about 300 km south of Ulaanbaatar on the border of the Gobi Desert. It has 10,506 inhabitants (2005), 10,299 (2007). The city administrative unit's official name is Saintsagaan sum.

History

Mandalgovi was originally a village when it consisted only of 40 yurts. In 1942, it was gained status as a town.

Climate

Mandalgovi has a cold arid climate (Köppen BWk) with warm summers and frigid winters. Most precipitation falls in the summer as rain. Winters are very dry.

Transportation

The city is connected to Ulaanbaatar by a 300 km paved road completed in October 2013.