1.Mongolia
Context
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change held high-level bilateral meetings with South Asian counterparts during the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Ulaanbaatar.
About Mongolia
- Mongolia is a landlocked country in north-central Asia.
- It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south.
- Capital: Ulaanbaatar.
Physical Geography
- Climate: Predominantly continental, influenced by its high latitude, elevation and distance from the oceans.
- Vegetation zones: Forest-steppe, steppe, semidesert and desert.
- Major mountain ranges: Khentii, Khangai and Altai.
- Highest point: Nayramadlin Orgil – 4,374 m.
- Major river: Orkhon River; the Orkhon Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Major lake: Hovsgol Nuur, a major freshwater lake near the Russian border and one of Asia’s largest freshwater lakes.
Natural Resources
- Mongolia has significant deposits of coal and fluorite (fluorspar).
- Other important mineral resources include copper, gold, silver and other metallic ores.
2. Morocco
Context
The Minister of State for Commerce and Industry is scheduled to co-chair the 7th Session of the India–Morocco Joint Commission.
About Morocco
- Location: Maghreb region of North Africa.
- Land borders: Algeria to the east and Western Sahara to the south.
- Coastlines: Atlantic Ocean to the west and Mediterranean Sea to the north.
- Capital: Rabat.
- Morocco is the only African country with coastlines on both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
Physical Geography
- Climate: Northern Morocco mainly experiences a Mediterranean climate, with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers.
- Major river: Moulouya River, originating in the Atlas Mountains and flowing into the Mediterranean Sea.
- Highest peak: Jebel Toubkal (4,167 m), located in the High Atlas.
- Major mountain system: Atlas Mountains.
Natural Resources
- Major mineral resources include phosphates, iron ore, coal, barite, manganese, lead and zinc.
