Khovd or Hovd (Mongolian: Ховд), formerly known as Kobdo or Khobdo, is the capital of the Khovd Province of Mongolia.

It is situated at the foot of the Mongol Altay Mountains, on the Buyant River. The Khar-Us Lake is located approximately 25 km east of Khovd, and is the location of a Strictly Protected Area (Mongolian Government designation), called the Mankhan Nature Preserve.

Khovd is known throughout the region for its watermelon and tomato harvest in the late summer, as well as the high quality of its seasonal meat products.

As a result of administrative reforms in 1992, Khovd was accorded the status of Jargalant sum. City area is 80 km².

Khovd has a cold desert climate (Köppen climate classification BWk) with long, dry, frigid winters and short warm summers. Precipitation is minimal and very heavily concentrated in summer.

The city has a population of 26,023 (2000 census), 30,479 (2003, est.), 28,601(2007).

In 2005, the sum had 32,351 inhabitants (6,675 households), belonging to more than ten ethnic groups and nationalities such as Ööld, Khalkh, Zakhchin, Torguud, Uriankhai, Myangad, Dörvöd, Bayad, Kazakh, Chantuu (Uzbek) and Üzemchin.

A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.

For example, in the U.S. state of Massachusetts an article of incorporation approved by the local state legislature distinguishes a city government from a town. In the United Kingdom and parts of the Commonwealth of Nations, a city is traditionally a settlement with a royal charter. Historically, in Europe, a city was understood to be an urban settlement with a cathedral.

Cities generally have complex systems for sanitation, utilities, land usage, housing, and transportation. The concentration of development greatly facilitates interaction between people and businesses, benefiting both parties in the process. A big city or metropolis usually has associated suburbs and exurbs. Such cities are usually associated with metropolitan areas and urban areas, creating numerous business commuters traveling to urban centers for employment. Once a city expands far enough to reach another city, this region can be deemed a conurbation or megalopolis.