These 7 capital cities are known for their bone-chilling temperatures and long winters, with annual average temperatures far below the global norm. From the bitter cold of Ulaanbaatar to the icy winds of Ottawa, according to WorldAtlas.com, these cities endure some of the most frigid weather in the world.
The coldest capital city on the planet, with winter temperatures going as low as -36 to -40 °C is Ulaanbaatar, known for its central Sükhbaatar Square, statues of Genghis Khan and Kublai Khan and numbing winters.
Its harsh continental climate requires that you be totally bundled up while visiting the city's Hazrat Sultan Mosque or the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation to protect yourself in the bitterly cold winters, where temperatures dip to -30 °C to -35°C.
Long, snowy winters and perpetually white Christmases is Moscow's fate/blessing at -25°C to -30°C from December through February and March. Imagine viewing a St Basil's Cathedral caked in many feet of snow.
The Finnish capital, located on the Gulf of Finland, famous for its beautiful parliament building, Mannerheimintie, sees temperatures as low as -20°C during its cold season. Once they dropped to an unbearable -34.3°C in January 1987.
Despite its very northern latitude, ocean currents moderate this capital city's climate and Reykjavik gets away with temperatures slightly warmer than Astana and Ulaanbataar of -15°C, going one time as low as -19.7°C in 1971.
The medieval Hanseatic town on the Baltic Sea faces chilly winds and -4.3 °C winters, with February being the coldest month.
An Ottawa winter is plenty cold, and brings lots of snow and ice to the 19th century-established Canadian capital (once called Wright's Town). Temperatures reach -14.8°C.