The coldest countries in the world: Is India among them?

When we think of the coldest places on Earth, many people might immediately picture Antarctica. However, Antarctica isn't a country—it's a continent covered in ice. The coldest inhabited country in the world is actually Canada, with an average annual temperature of around -4.2°C.

The Coldest Countries in the World:

While the Arctic and snowy regions might come to mind when thinking about cold countries, surviving extreme cold is a way of life in these nations. The coldest countries, from Russia to Greenland, face freezing temperatures that challenge their inhabitants year-round. Let's take a look at the top coldest countries and where India ranks on this chilling list.

Top 10 Coldest Countries in the World:

Here's a breakdown of the world's coldest countries, where freezing temperatures are part of everyday life.

Rank Country Average Yearly Temperature (°C) Minimum Temperature (°C) Maximum Temperature (°C)

1 Canada -5.35 -63.0 35.0

2 Russia -5.10 -67.8 35.0

3 Mongolia -0.70 -40.0 33.9

4 Norway 1.50 -40.0 18.3

5 Kyrgyzstan 1.55 -25.0 30.0

6 Finland 1.70 -30.0 18.0

7 Iceland 1.75 -40.0 10.0

8 Tajikistan 2.00 -20.0 25.0

9 Sweden 2.10 -30.0 20.0

10 Estonia 5.10 -30.0 20.0

India’s Position:

India is ranked 17th on the list of coldest countries, with certain northern regions, like Ladakh, experiencing winter temperatures as low as -45°C. While much of India is known for its tropical climate, areas in the Himalayas, particularly in the north, face severe winter conditions. These regions see snowfall, which significantly affects local communities, agriculture, and tourism related to winter sports.

Coldest Place in Asia:

In Asia, the coldest place is Oymyakon in Russia's Sakha Republic (Yakutia). Known as the "Pole of Cold" for the Northern Hemisphere, it holds the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded in a permanently inhabited area: −67.7°C (−89.9°F) in February 1933.

The Coldest Place on Earth:

The coldest place in the world is Vostok Station in Antarctica. Scientists recorded temperatures as low as -89.2°C (−128.6°F) here, a record for the coldest known temperature on Earth. This station, located near the South Pole, remains one of the most extreme climates on the planet.

While we often associate extreme cold with the Arctic or Antarctic regions, these countries prove that surviving freezing temperatures is an ongoing challenge for people living in extreme climates across the world.