The world's most extreme places
World's coldest place: Antarctica
Deep within the Arctic Plateau, a site known as
Ridge A, more than 4,000m above sea level, has the coldest average temperatures
ever recorded on earth, at -70C. Will Saunders, who led a study team of
scientists to find the coldest spot, described it thus: "It's so calm that
there's almost no wind or weather there at all."
Where is the world's oldest continually inhabited city?
World's oldest continually inhabited city: Damascus
This is a bit of a contentious one, as several
other spots in the Middle East also claim the title, including Jericho, and
Sidon in Libya. But archaeologists claim there is evidence of human habitation
dating back at least 11,000 years in Damascus. Today, it's a metropolitan area
that is home to 2.5 million people.
Where will you find the world's greatest vertical drop?
World's greatest vertical drop: Mount Thor, Canada
This spectacular mountain, in Auyuittuq National
Park on Baffin Island, Nunavut, has a sheer 4,100ft drop, with an average
of 105 degrees. Despite its remote access, it's popular with rock climbers
seeking a thrill... but we reckon you'd need to be mad to try it.
Which is the highest capital city in the world?
World's highest capital city: La Paz, Bolivia
Surrounded by canyons and occupying a huge crater
bowl 3,600m above sea level on the Altiplano highlands, La Paz leaves you
breathless in more ways than one. The city lays claim to the title of highest
capital city above sea level (and it boasts the highest airport, too).
Second-highest is Quito, Ecuador (2,850m), followed by Bogota in Colombia
(2,580m).
Which is the world's longest river?
World's longest river: River Nile, Africa
Stretching 6,670km (4,160 miles), the Nile flows
northwards, beginning in Burundi and stretching through several countries
including Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt, stretching into the Mediterranean
Sea.
Where is the coldest inhabited place on earth?
World's coldest inhabited place: Omyakon, Russia
This small village of around 500 people in
the Sakha region of Siberia holds the record for the lowest temperature ever
recorded by a permanently inhabited settlement. The lowest temperature recorded
here is -71.2C Average temperatures range from -45C in winter to 10C in summer,
making it the place with the most significant temperature difference in the
world too. It's not an easy place to visit: the nearest city is a three-day
drive away...
Where is the hottest place on earth?
World's hottest place: Lut Desert, Iran
There's a debate over the hottest place on earth,
but with the mercury reaching 70.7C, Iran's Lut Desert has held the highest
recorded temperature on the planet since 2005. The 480 sq km area is strewn
with dried lava rock, which absorbs the heat of the sun. It's so hot that it's
considered abiotic, meaning that no life can be sustained here. Not the best
place for a holiday, then...
Where is the highest waterfall on earth?
World's highest waterfall: Angels Falls, Venezuela
The highest waterfall in the world, also known as
Kerepakupai meru (waterfall of the deepest place) drops nearly a kilometre.
3,212ft (979m) with a clear drop of 2,647ft (807m).
What's the world's highest mountain?
World's highest mountain: Mount Everest, Himalayas
With a peak of 29,028ft (8850m), Everest is five
and a half miles above sea level.The world's best known and tallest mountain
straddles Tibet and Nepal and is believed to be at least 60 million years
old. Thinking of going? The number of people who have attempted to climb
Everest is around 4,000. Number of people who have succeeded: Less than 700.
Where is the closest point on earth to the moon?
World's closest point to the moon: Mount Chimborazo, Ecuador
Ok, so at 21,000ft, it's not as tall as Everest.
But it's actually closer to the moon and stars than anywhere else on earth, due
to the curvature of our planet. This also means its summit is the farthest
point on the earth's surface from its centre.
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