In Asian physical geography, the Gobi Desert is located in which of the following regions?

Introduction / Context:
The Gobi Desert is one of the largest deserts in Asia and is frequently mentioned in school geography and competitive exams. It spans international borders and includes parts of more than one country, so questions often test whether students know its correct regional location rather than just one country name.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The desert in question is the Gobi Desert.
• Options refer to Northern China, Southern Mongolia, both of these together, and Southern China.
• We need to choose the option that correctly describes its geographical extent.

Concept / Approach:
The Gobi Desert stretches across northern China and southern Mongolia. It is a cold desert with rocky and gravelly surfaces rather than sand dunes in many areas. It lies in the rain shadow of the Himalayas and other mountain ranges, which limits rainfall. Because it occupies significant parts of both northern China and southern Mongolia, exam questions typically expect the answer that includes both regions together.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the basic map of East and Central Asia showing Mongolia north of China.Step 2: Remember that the Gobi is not confined to just one of these countries but extends across the border.Step 3: Note that the main portion lies in southern Mongolia and northern China, especially in Inner Mongolia and surrounding Chinese provinces.Step 4: Compare the options and see that one option explicitly mentions Both A & B.Step 5: Select Both A & B as it correctly reflects the binational location of the Gobi Desert.

Verification / Alternative check:
Atlases and physical maps of Asia label the Gobi Desert area covering parts of Mongolia and China. When shaded relief and desert distribution maps are studied, the Gobi clearly straddles the international boundary between these two countries. This confirms that any answer that restricts it to only northern China or only southern Mongolia is incomplete.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option Northern China alone ignores the large area of the Gobi that lies in Mongolia. Option Southern Mongolia alone ignores the Chinese portion. Southern China is geographically far from the Gobi Desert and is generally humid and subtropical, so that option is clearly incorrect.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners memorise that the Gobi is in Mongolia and forget about the Chinese part, or vice versa. Others may generalise that all major Asian deserts are either in China or in Central Asia without noting shared borders. To avoid mistakes, it is useful to remember a few binational or multinational features like the Gobi Desert, which lies in both northern China and southern Mongolia.

Final Answer:
The Gobi Desert is located in Both A & B, that is, in northern China and southern Mongolia.