Coldest Countries: Imagine waking up in the morning to a world painted white with snow, where the air is so chilly it fogs up your breath, and even the rivers stand frozen in time. This is an everyday reality for the coldest countries in the world. Home to breathtaking winter landscapes and unique cultural traditions that have evolved in response to their extreme climates, these countries offer a different perspective on life on Earth.
The Ice Kingdoms: Russia, Canada, and Mongolia
The award for the coldest country in the world goes to Russia. Known for its long, freezing winters, Russia is home to Oymyakon, often recognized as the coldest inhabited place on Earth, with temperatures plunging down to a record -67.7°C (-89.9°F). In this icy landscape, people have adapted their daily routines to brave the chilling cold, which can even cause the ink in pens to freeze.
Canada, the second coldest country, experiences severe winters, particularly in regions like Yukon, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories. The village of Snag in Yukon holds the record for the lowest temperature in Canada, dropping to an astonishing -63°C (-81.4°F) in 1947. Despite its biting winters, Canada is renowned for its spectacular snowy landscapes that turn into a winter wonderland each year.
Mongolia ranks third among the world’s coldest countries. A vast nation with diverse landscapes, Mongolia sees extremely harsh winters, especially in the northern regions. Its capital, Ulaanbaatar, is considered the coldest capital city in the world, with winter temperatures averaging -30°C (-22°F).
Nordic Frost: Greenland, Finland, and Iceland
Greenland, although mostly covered by an ice cap, has an inhabited area known as “the thawed zone”, where winters can be extremely harsh. The coastal town of Upernavik witnessed temperatures drop to -31°C (-24°F) in January.
Finland, a Nordic country, is famous for its ‘Kaamos’ or polar nights when the sun barely rises above the horizon. The northernmost region of Finnish Lapland experiences temperatures that can drop below -30°C (-22°F) during the winter months.
Iceland, despite its name, has a milder climate than one might assume due to the Gulf Stream. However, it still has a relatively cold climate, with winter temperatures often dropping below freezing and the highlands remaining snow-covered throughout the year.
These countries, despite their frigid temperatures, exhibit a serene beauty that can only be found in their snow-covered landscapes. The people living in these icy terrains have adapted remarkably well to the extreme cold, demonstrating human resilience and ingenuity. Visiting these places offers a unique opportunity to experience a world that may be freezing cold but is also full of warm hospitality and rich cultural traditions that have been shaped by the chill. From the ice-crusted trees of Russia’s Siberia to the Northern Lights dancing over the snow in Finnish Lapland, the coldest countries in the world offer chilling yet captivating experiences that are not for the faint of heart.
Here is a list of 15 of the coldest countries in the world, based on their average yearly temperatures:
- Russia – Known for its brutally cold winters, especially in Siberia, with temperatures reaching record lows of -67.7°C (-89.9°F).
- Canada – Experiences extremely cold winters, especially in its northern territories.
- Mongolia – Its capital, Ulaanbaatar, is considered the coldest capital city in the world.
- Greenland – Although an autonomous territory of Denmark, Greenland sees severe temperatures especially in its northernmost regions.
- Finland – Known for its harsh winters, particularly in Finnish Lapland.
- Iceland – Has a cold climate with snowy winters, particularly in the interior highlands.
- Norway – Known for its cold temperatures, especially in the Arctic region of Svalbard.
- Sweden – Experiences very cold winters, especially in its northern regions.
- United States – While the US has varied climates, Alaska sees some of the coldest temperatures in the world.
- Kazakhstan – Known for its very cold winters, particularly in the north.
- Estonia – This Baltic country sees severe winters with temperatures well below freezing.
- Latvia – Similar to its Baltic neighbors, Latvia experiences very cold winters.
- Lithuania – The coldest of the Baltic countries, Lithuania sees temperatures drop significantly in winter.
- Belarus – Known for its harsh winters, particularly in the northern parts of the country.
- Ukraine – The Carpathian region in the west can see very cold winter temperatures.
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