Quiz: Can You Name the 5 Coldest Countries on Earth?

Chilling (literally) with penguins isn’t most people’s idea of an ideal vacation, but some adventurous travelers do prefer traversing the tundra in their free time.

Many of these cold-weather enthusiasts are researchers or explorers who dream of viewing glaciers and polar bears firsthand. Yet it seems the majority of travelers gravitate toward islands and warmer locations when planning a getaway.

While less popular as a tourist destination than, say, Fiji, the coldest countries on Earth are still striking in their own way. Snow-capped mountains, sparkling ice crystals, and miles upon miles of land resembling fluffy clouds, make cold landscapes special, especially if you’re bundled up in proper thermal gear!

Maybe it’s not your first idea for a vacation, or perhaps it is! Whether you want to travel to these wintry wonderlands or simply just view them from a screen, how many can you recall? Can you name the five coldest countries on Earth?

How many of the coldest countries on Earth were you able to guess? Some might have been easier to remember, while others left your fingers frozen on the keyboard, unable to recall their chilly temperatures! Either way, send this quiz to the fellow geography fanatics in your life!

THE COLDEST COUNTRIES ON EARTH

The coldest countries on Earth, according to World Population Review’s ranked list of historic average temperatures from 1961 to 1990, require more than a winter coat, cloth gloves, and a sturdy pair of boots.

Some of these places see average annual temperatures in the 20-degree range; many would consider that a year-round winter, and a year-round winter it is. While not ideal for everyone, their citizens enjoy brisk, beautiful lives surrounded by natural wonders and unique landscapes. Both the people and the animals who inhabit these regions have learned to adapt and thrive in such conditions.

Here are the three coldest countries on Earth by historic average temperature, plus a fact about each.

Canada

Canada tops the list as the coldest country on Earth, with a historic average temperature of 22.37 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on where you live, some people have endured similar conditions. A Chicago winter, for example, can get absolutely freezing, while the 20-degree range for people living in Miami is unheard of and might not sound very desirable.

Fact: Canada has 41 national parks.

Russia

Russia is the second-coldest country in the world, with a historic average temperature of 22.82 degrees Fahrenheit, just above Canada. Don’t be fooled by the average temperature; while it sits coolly in the 20-degree range, Russia’s extremes can be much colder. The coldest recorded temperature in Russia was in the Siberian village of Oymyakon in 1933, a jaw-dropping negative 90 degrees Fahrenheit; a life-threatening chill.

Fact: Russia is the world’s largest country and “occupies one-tenth of all the land on Earth,” according to National Geographic Kids.

Mongolia

Temperatures rise, only slightly, as we travel to Mongolia, where historic average temperatures hover around 30.74 degrees Fahrenheit. Mongolia, sharing its northern border with Russia, experiences long, bitter winters and very brief summers. Despite the chilly climate, the country averages between 220 and 260 sunny days each year!

Fact: The Gobi, the world’s coldest desert, is located in Mongolia, adding to the country’s dry reputation.

Test your knowledge further with Mental Floss's Quiz Around the World competition!

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