Mongolia is a landlocked sovereign state in East Asia bordered by China to the south and Russia to the north. Ulaanbaatar, the capital and largest city, is home to about 45% of the country’s population. At 1,564,116 square kilometres (603,909 sq mi), Mongolia is one of the most sparsely populated independent countries in the world, with a population of around 3 million people. The country contains very little arable land, as much of its area is covered by grassy steppe, with mountains to the north and west and the Gobi Desert to the south. Approximately 30% of the population is nomadic or semi-nomadic and horse culture is still integral.