Earth’s average temperature is 61 degrees F, 16C and according to the World Meteorological Organization, the coldest place on Earth is Vostok Station in Antarctica where it once reached minus 128.6 F (minus 89.2 C), howvever, humans are survivin at all places be it a sweltering desert with no water or the rough mountain ranges like the Himalayas, the inundated islands, and mangroves or seashores. Here is the list of coldest countries in the world,
Coldest Countries In The World
1.Antarctica- As low as 100 degrees below zero
Antarctica is the southernmost continent which is surrounded by the southern ocean. The fifth-largest continent in the world with over 14,200,000 square kilometres is approximately the size of the United States and Mexico or you can say 1.3 times of Europe. Approximately, 98% of Antarctica is covered by ice that averages 1.9 kilometres (1.2 miles) in thickness. The region contains 90% of all of the ice on the planet and hence 70% of all fresh water in the world. The region is inhabitable by humans because of high wind speeds and lack of potable water. Also, the lack of food or shelter makes it one of the most inhospitable places in the world. Antarctica, on average, is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent.
2.Kazakhstan- Down to -20 degree Celsius in winters
Officially known as the Republic of Kazakhstan is a transcontinental country in northern Central Asia and Eastern Europe. The country is located in the Arctic circle and shared its border with Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and a large part of the Caspian Sea. During winters, the temperature in the country drops below zero and the people use some interesting tactics like ice fishing to cope with the weather of one of the coldest countries in the world. The country was formerly part of the Soviet Union and most of the terrain was completely covered in snow. The best time to visit Kazakhstan is between the months of July and August.
3.Russia- Below 0 degrees in Summers
Officially known as the Russian Federation is the largest country and one of the coldest countries in the world. Almost all the regions of Russia are very cold throughout the year and even in summers its lies between 0 degrees. The northernmost part of Siberia is permanently covered in snow and used as a place to banish prisoners by the Communist regime for a long time. The Oymyakon in Russia is the coldest inhabited place on Earth and the lowest temperature recorded was −67.8°C which is also the lowest temperature recorded at any places in the world apart from Antarctica.
Also Read: Top 10 Most Visited Countries In The World 2024
4.Greenland- Below zero degrees Celsius
Greenland is the world largest non-continental island and also the largest dependent territory by area in the world. There is no summer in the country and the whole of the country is always covered in snow despite the name. During the summer, there can be as much as 22 hours of sunlight and during the winter, as little as 3 hours. Greenland is at a high altitude and has an arctic to a subarctic climate with cool summers and very cold winters. Sun does not set in Greenland from May 25th to July 25th and this phenomenon is known as the ‘midnight sun. The best time to visit the country is between the months of June and September.
5.Canada- As low as -40 degrees Celsius in Winters
Canada is one of the coldest countries in the northern part of North America. The name of the country comes from the word ‘Kanata’ which means ‘settlement’ or ‘village’ in the language of the indigenous St Lawrence Iroquoians. The country has a large mass of greenery and lakes but during the winters, almost all the regions of Canada receives snowfall and the temperature can drop to 40 degrees below zero. Canada is teh neighbour of Greenland and the temperature can be dropped to as low as -40 degrees Celsius. The best time to visit the country is between the months of September and November. The major cties in the country are Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary.
6.United States- Below zero degrees Celsius in most of the northern cities
The United States located in the south of Canada is also one of the coldest countries in the world, but not all regions in the country have a uniform temperature. The northern region of the country receives snowfall during the winters. The temperature drops below zero degrees Celsius in most of the northern cities and the best time to visit the country is between the months of May and September. The region of the country located at high altitude tends to receive snowfall. The USA is the world’s third most populated country.
7.Iceland- Below -10 degrees Celsius
Officially known as the Republic of Iceland is also one of the coldest countries in the world where the temperature drops below -10 degrees Celsius. The country is also known as Land of Fire and Ice and Icelandic is the official language of Iceland. During summers, the country is green and during the winters, almost all the regions of the country covered in snow. The moist air in the country makes it more favourable for the growth of vegetation. The Central Highlands are the coldest part of Iceland. and the northern region has sub-zero temperatures all year round. The best time to visit the country is from September until April when you can enjoy the Northern Lights in the country.
8.Finland- −45-degree Celsius in winters in Northern Finland
officially known as the Republic of Finland is one of the coldest countries in the world where temperature can drop −45-degree Celsius in winters in Northern Finland. The country shares its border with Sweden, Norway, and Russia. The Scandinavian country is situated in the extreme north of Europe and has a long winter season. Almost all regions of the country receive heavy snowfall and cold waves during the winter season. In the coastal areas of Helsinki, teh temperature goes below −30 degrees Celsius. The best time to visit teh country is between the months of May and September.
9.Sweden- Winter temperatures often drop lower to -30°C in northern Sweden
Officially known as the Kingdom of Sweden is one of the coldest countries in the world where winter temperatures often drop lower to -30°C in northern Sweden. People can experience northern lights, or aurora borealis that is visible above the Arctic Circle and is visible around the equinoxes in late September and March and even during the dark of winter in Sweden. The winters in the country are long but the snowfall is low as compared to other countries in the world. The coldest day of Sweden till now was December 13, 1941, at Malgovik, Lappland with a temperature of −53.0 °C (−63.4 °F).
10.Estonia- -6.6 degrees Celsius (20.1°F)
Estonia is officially known as the Republic of Estonia is the coldest countries with an avarage temperature of -6.6 degrees Celsius (20.1°F). The European country and temperature can go below -36-degree Celsius during winters and even it can go 35-degree Celsius during summers. The length of the longest day in summer is over 19 hours, howvever, the shortest winter day lasts only six hours. The best time to visit Estonia is between the months of May and August. This is also one of the most popular tourist destinations across the world.
11.Mongolia (As low as -30-degree Celsius in Winters)
Mongolia is one of the coldest countries in the world situated in East Asia and popular for its rugged expanses and nomadic culture. Ulaanbaatar is the capital city of Mongolia and also the coldest capital in the world where an average annual temperature of −0.4 °C or 31.3 °F. It is also known as the “Land of the Blue Sky” because it has over 260 sunny days a year. The temperature fluctuation in the country can be more than 35 degrees in one day. The extreme climatic condition forced the people to primarily feed on dairy products, meat, and animal fats. The majority of the population is Buddhists and the non-religious population is the second largest group.
12.Norway (From -10 degree C to 1 Degree C)
Norway is officially known as the Kingdom of Norway and was originally known as called Nordweg, meaning the “Northern Way.”Oslo is the capital and also the largest city in the country. One of teh coldest countries in the world has a place known as Karasjok that has recorded lowest temperature recorded is -51.4 C/-60.5 F.The country is also the most successful nation in the world at the Winter Olympics. The country shares its border with Finland, Russia and Sweden.
13.China (From -15 degree C and 3degree C)
China is a sovereign state in East Asia.The most populous country in the world with over 1.38 billion people living across the borders. Hanzhong is the coldest place in China that has recorded a temperature of -41 degrees by meteorological equipment at an observatory in Hanzhong. Beijing is the capital city of and also the second-largest city in the country followed by Shanghai. The geography of the country is highly diverse with hills, plains, and river deltas in the east and deserts making some of the places very cold in winters. The highest point in China is Mount Everest and lies on the border of China and Nepal.
14.Denmark (Zero degrees celsius (above freezing ) in January and February in Copenhagen)
Denmark officially known as the Kingdom of Denmark ad shares its border with Sweden, and Germany, as well as the North Sea and Baltic Sea. It is not a severely cold country but winters are too cold where the temperature will dip by zero degrees celsius (above freezing ) in January and February in Copenhagen. The lowest recorded temperature in the country is −31.2 °C in Thisted Municipality, North Denmark Region on 8 January 1982.
15.Latvia (-6.6 degrees Celsius (20.1°F)
Latvia is a country in Northern Europe popular for its diverse culture, beaches and sprawling forests. The coldest day in Latvia is at −43.2 °C (−45.8 °F) temperature at Daugavpils on 8 February 1956. Officially known as the Republic of Latvia has Riga is one of teh coldest regions with an average daily high temperature of only 11 degrees centigrade. Riga is also the capital and largest city of Latvia and it home to approximately one-third of Latvia’s population. Forests claim 42% of the countries territory.
These are the coldest countries in the world by avarage yearly temperature. Kindly share and do post your comments.