Top 10 Coldest Countries in the World

Norway is a country located in Northern Europe, home to some of the coldest climates in Europe. Among the Nordic countries, Norway is the coldest, with an average annual temperature of 0.75°C. While it is generally warmer than other cold countries, thanks to mild summer months, temperatures in the coldest regions can plummet to as low as -50°C. This is due to Norway's mountainous, snowy landscapes and glaciers. During the harsh winter, temperatures in these areas can be extremely low.

An interesting phenomenon in Norway is the 'midnight sun,' where the sun does not set for 24 hours during summer. This occurs because Norway is located within the Arctic Circle.

Details:

• Location: Northern Europe
  
• Average Annual Temperature: 0.75°C
  
• Record Low Temperature: -51°C (Finnmark)

Located in Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan is a land of towering snow-capped peaks, with 80% of its territory covered by the Tian Shan mountain range. Often called the 'Switzerland of Central Asia,' Kyrgyzstan's mountain peaks rise as high as 24,400 feet, making them some of the coldest areas in the region, with temperatures plunging to -30°C. These snow-covered mountains also provide excellent locations for extreme sports, including skiing and mountaineering.

Details:

• Location: Central Asia
  
• Average Annual Temperature: 1.09°C
  
• Record Low Temperature: -30°C (mountain valleys)

Located in Northern Europe, Finland is also one of the coldest countries in the world. Its climate and geography are similar to Norway, though while Norway is known for its glaciers, Finland is famous for its lakes. In winter, the average temperature is around -20°C, with some areas dipping as low as -50°C. However, summer in Finland is relatively warm, with temperatures averaging 25°C, and occasional heatwaves bringing even higher temperatures.

Details:

• Location: Northern Europe
  
• Average Annual Temperature: 1.35°C
  
• Record Low Temperature: -51.5°C (Kittilä, 1999)

Iceland, which means 'land of ice,' is an island nation located in Northwestern Europe. True to its name, Iceland is a land of ice and snow, yet its climate is not as harsh as expected due to its location on the Mid-Atlantic volcanic ridge, providing it with abundant geothermal energy from volcanoes and hot springs.

This geothermal activity gives Iceland a milder climate compared to other Nordic countries like Finland, Norway, and Sweden. Because of this, Iceland is often referred to as the 'land of fire and ice.'

Details:

• Location: Northern Europe
  
• Average Annual Temperature: 1.35°C
  
• Record Low Temperature: -38°C (Grímsstaðir, 1918)

Sweden is another Nordic country that ranks among the coldest in the world, with an average annual temperature of 1.55°C, according to World Bank data. Located between Finland and Norway, Sweden spans a long vertical stretch of land, with plains, plateaus, and hills. As a result, Sweden's climate varies significantly, with freezing temperatures in the far north and much milder conditions in the southern plains.

Sweden's record low temperature reached a staggering -63.4°C, which is lower than many other Nordic countries and even colder than Canada, only rivaled by Siberia in Russia. Despite this, Sweden's average annual temperature keeps it in eighth place on this list.

Details:

• Location: Northern Europe
  
• Average Annual Temperature: 1.55°C
  
• Record Low Temperature: -63.4°C (Lappland, 1941)

Another Central Asian country with a cold climate is Tajikistan. Sharing a border with Kyrgyzstan, the coldest country in Central Asia, Tajikistan was once part of the Soviet Union before its dissolution. Due to its geographical location, Tajikistan's climate is similar to that of Kyrgyzstan, with temperatures frequently dropping as low as -20°C.

Details:

• Location: Central Asia
  
• Average Annual Temperature: 3.03°C
  
• Record Low Temperature: -20°C (Pamirs)

Ranked as the coldest country in East Asia, North Korea completes the list of the world's coldest nations. While South Korea often appears as a chilly place in movies, North Korea, located further north, experiences even colder conditions. With its geographical location bordering northern China and Russia, North Korea has an exceptionally cold climate.

Despite the northern regions being colder than China and Japan, the southern part of North Korea is warmer, which results in a more uniform climate across the country. The average annual temperature in North Korea is 4.86°C, which is lower than China (6.95°C), Japan (11.15°C), and South Korea (11.5°C). In fact, North Korea has a lower average annual temperature than many cold countries in Europe and America, including Denmark (7.5°C), Poland (7.85°C), the UK (8.45°C), Germany (8.5°C), and the United States (8.55°C).

Details:

• Location: East Asia
  
• Average Annual Temperature: 4.86°C
  
• Record Low Temperature: -17°C (Pyongyang)

Located at the northernmost tip of North America, Canada takes the top spot as the coldest country in the world. With an average annual temperature of -7.14°C, Canada spans a vast territory stretching across the continent and occupying half of North America, alongside the United States. Unlike the U.S. in the southern half of the continent, Canada lies in the northern region, where most of the world's coldest climates are found.

Canada is famous for its vast forests and snow-covered mountains. Even cities like Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal experience freezing winters, with snow and ice covering the streets. Major cities rely on heating systems and underground tunnels to help residents navigate the harsh winter conditions. In remote wilderness areas, the weather can be as severe as the coldest regions like Siberia or Alaska.

During the winter, urban areas see temperatures drop below -15°C, while mountain and forest regions can experience lows of -40°C with strong cold winds. In milder climates, snow can cover the ground for six months, while in the highlands and mountainous areas, snow may remain year-round. The lowest recorded temperature in Canada was -61.1°C at Bassano Dam in central Canada. Winnipeg, in Manitoba, is also one of the coldest cities in the world, rivaling Moscow in Russia. Many novels and films have used Canada's icy landscapes, such as Jack London's White Fang, The Call of the Wild, and The Revenant, starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Details:

• Location: North America
  
• Average Annual Temperature: -7.14°C
  
• Record Low Temperature: -61.1°C (Bassano Dam, 1911)

When talking about the coldest countries, it is impossible not to mention the extreme chill of Russia. Known for its year-round freezing temperatures and having some of the lowest recorded temperatures on Earth, Russia has an average annual temperature of -6.32°C. This is higher than Canada’s, but Siberia holds the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded in Russia, reaching a staggering -67.7°C, even colder than Canada’s all-time low.

Like Canada, Russia lies in the northern region of the Northern Hemisphere. As the largest country in the world, spanning both Europe and Asia, its northernmost territories are right next to the Arctic Circle. The temperature difference between winter and summer in Russia is enormous, with fall and spring being short transitional periods. Despite having the lowest recorded temperatures, Russia's average annual temperature ranks second after Canada. During World War II, it was the brutal cold of the Russian winter that defeated the Nazi forces, proving how harsh the climate can be. This bitter cold is likely why vodka, a strong and warming alcoholic drink, is a popular choice among Russians.

One of the coldest regions in Russia is Siberia. In Siberia, winter can last up to 9 months, and summer is a fleeting one-month affair. The average annual temperature is -15°C, with winter temperatures plunging to -55°C, while summer temperatures hover around 5°C. Siberia holds the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded in Russia, with a chilling -67.7°C in the town of Oymyakon. Some believe it may have been even colder, reaching -71.2°C, before accurate records were kept. As a result, Siberia is ranked as the second coldest place on Earth, just after Antarctica, with temperatures even lower than those in the Arctic.

Details:

• Location: Northern Asia-Europe
  
• Average Annual Temperature: -6.32°C
  
• Record Low Temperature: -67.7°C (Siberia, 1933)

Located between Russia and China, and entirely covered by vast plateaus, Mongolia is also ranked among the coldest countries in the world. Although we often envision Mongolia as a land of lush grasslands, its climate is highly diverse and varies significantly across the country, which is the 19th largest in the world.

During the summer, Mongolia can get quite warm, with some southern regions even containing deserts. However, in winter, temperatures in the mountains and plateaus can drop dramatically. Nighttime temperatures, especially in desert regions, can vary greatly from the daytime. The climate in Mongolia is often harsher than in Russia, even if not as cold. The vast plateaus lead to strong, chilling winds, making the cold feel even more intense. The temperature difference between day and night is another extreme factor. January, the coldest month, sees temperatures around -30°C, with nighttime lows plummeting to -40°C.

Due to such a harsh and extreme climate, Mongolia has a relatively sparse population. The Mongolian people traditionally keep warm by wearing fur coats and hats, a common image in depictions of historical Mongolia.

Details:

• Location: Northeast Asia
  
• Average Annual Temperature: -0.5°C
  
• Record Low Temperature: -40°C (Ulaanbaatar)