Where did hamsters originate?

Question

Are there wild hamsters and gerbils? What is the closest relative to them? Where did they originate?

Answer 1

planet krypton.

Answer 2

Gerbils are mainly from Africa, and live in the desert. There are some species in Asia though. Hamsters are from the hotter parts of Europe and Asia, but live places where there is a lot of fruit and nuts and it's easy to dig themselves into the ground.  

Answer 3

There names say a lot: Syrian Hamster from syria, Chinese dwarf from China...There mostly in that area!

Answer 4

I am pretty sure they are from Australia.