Pastoral nomadism has a long history in Central Asia. Most of Mongolia is composed of vast grass steppes, rugged mountains and desert. For 3000 years, the people of the steppes have adopted a pastoral way of life moving in the search of best pastureland. Today, about half of the 2.5 million people live in the ger and still roaming vast plains herding over 30 million animals. Traditionally, Mongolian nomads raise 5 species of livestock: horses, cows or yaks, sheep, goats and camels.