Countries with the LEAST similar geography

The countries of our planet experience such a variety of climates, terrains and landscapes. Countries who are located in close proximity tend to be very similar, such as say Honduras and Nicaragua. However, there are many countries who are polar opposites when it comes to comparing their geography and climates. With around 195 countries in total, there are a million and one combinations. So what we've done is, we've handpicked a few of what we think are the best examples. Starting off with Norway and Saudi Arabia. Norway and Saudi Arabia are two countries that are very different in terms of their geography and climate. Norway is located in Northern Europe and is known for its rugged coastline, fjords and mountains. It is bordered by the North Sea to the west and the Barents Sea to the north, with Sweden, Finland and Russia to the east. The country has a relatively cool climate with long cold winters and mild summers. Saudi Arabia on the other hand is located in the Middle East and is largely made up of deserts and arid plains. It is bordered by the Persian Gulf to the east, the Red Sea to the west and is land bordered by several countries including Iraq, Jordan and Yemen. The climate in Saudi Arabia is hot and dry, with temperatures regularly exceeding 40 degrees celsius during the summer months. Brazil and Iceland. Brazil is located in South America and is the largest country in both South and Latin America. It is known for its diverse landscapes including the Amazon rainforest, the Brazilian highlands and the Atlantic coast beaches. Brazil also has a large network of rivers including the Amazon river, which is the second longest river in the world. The country has a tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity throughout the year. At over 8.5 million kilometres squared, Brazil is also one of the largest countries on the planet. Iceland alternatively is a small island country located in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is known for its dramatic landscapes including glaciers, volcanoes and hot springs. Iceland has a cool maritime climate with mild-ish winters and cool summers. The country is also known for its dark winters and long daylight hours in the summer due to its location close to the Arctic Circle. New Zealand, Mongolia. New Zealand is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean and is made up of two main islands, the North and South Island, as well as many other smaller islands. The country is known for its stunning landscapes which include mountains, beaches, fjords and forests. It also has a diverse range of climates from subtropical in the far north to alpine in the south. Mongolia on the contrary is a landlocked country located in East and Central Asia. It is the world's second largest landlocked country and is known for its vast arid grasslands and rugged mountain ranges. Mongolia has a cold and dry climate with long harsh winters and short cool summers. Chile and Nigeria. Chile is a long and narrow country located in South America stretching over 4,000 kilometres from north to south. The country is known for its stunning natural landscapes including the Andes Mountains, the Atacama Desert and Patagonia. Chile also has a long coastline along the Pacific Ocean which includes many beaches and coastal towns. The climate in Chile is varied ranging from arid and desert like in the north to temperate and rainy in the south. Chile's country shape makes it one of the most unique in the world due to how narrow but long it is. Nigeria on the other hand is located in West Africa and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the south. The country is known for its diverse landscapes including grasslands, tropical rainforests and savannas. It also has a large river system including the Niger River which is the third longest river in Africa. The climate in Nigeria is tropical with a wet season from April to October and a dry season from November to March. Nigeria is quite circular in shape, the complete opposite of Chile. The Maldives and Kazakhstan. The Maldives is a small island nation located in the Indian Ocean, south west of India and Sri Lanka. The country is known for its stunning coral reefs, white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. It is made up of 26 atolls which consist of more than 1,000 coral islands. The Maldives has a tropical climate with warm temperatures and high humidity throughout the year. Kazakhstan on the other hand is a large landlocked country located in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. It is the ninth largest country in the world and is known for its vast arid landscapes as well as its mountain ranges. The country has a continental climate with very cold winters and hot summers. Nepal and Bangladesh. Nepal is a landlocked country located in South Asia and is known for its stunning mountain landscapes including the Himalayas which contains the highest peak in the world. The country also has a diverse range of ecosystems including tropical jungles, alpine forests and grasslands. Nepal has a diverse climate with subtropical conditions in the lowlands and alpine conditions in the highlands. Bangladesh conversely is a low lying country located in South Asia as well and is known for its extensive river systems including the Ganges which provide fertile land for agriculture. The country also has the world's largest delta, the Sundarbans which is home to the Bengal tiger. Bangladesh has a tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity throughout the year. What's crazy about these countries is that they are so close to each other and in fact could be considered neighbours yet have completely different landscapes and climates which then affects the people living there. Some of the Nepalese live in high altitude in freezing conditions whereas their Bangladeshi neighbours live in tropical conditions with constant threats of flooding and monsoons. Suriname, Afghanistan. Afghanistan and Suriname are vastly different in terms of geography and climate. Afghanistan is a landlocked country in South Asia while Suriname is a small country located in northeastern region of South America. Geographically speaking, Afghanistan is dominated by rugged mountainous terrain, with the Hindu Kush mountain range running through the country. The terrain is arid and prone to frequent droughts. Suriname on the other hand is characterised by low lying coastal plains in the north and dense rainforests in the south. The country is home to numerous rivers including the Suriname river, which is one of the longest in South America. Suriname is actually the country with the highest percentage of its land covered in forest, at over 98%. Climate wise, Afghanistan has a semi-arid to arid climate, with hot summers and cold winters. Most of the country receives very little rainfall, with some areas experiencing only 100mm of rain per year. Suriname on the other hand has a tropical rainforest climate, with high humidity and heavy rainfall throughout the year. The average temperature in Suriname is around 27 degrees celsius, with little seasonal variation. And finally, although these two places aren't countries, we thought it'd be fun to include them. They are Hawaii and Alaska. They are pretty much polar opposites. Hawaii is an archipelago located in the central pacific ocean and consists of 8 main islands, as well as many other smaller islands and atolls. The islands are known for their stunning beaches, volcanic landscapes and diverse marine life. Hawaii has a tropical climate with warm temperatures throughout the year. Alaska on the other hand is a large state located in the far north of North America, and is known for its rugged mountains, glaciers and vast stretches of wilderness. It is the largest state in the US by land area, but has a relatively small population. Alaska has a sub-arctic to arctic climate, with long cold winters and short cool summers. The two things that these states do have in common are that they are both the only non-contiguous states in the US. This means they belong to the US, but are not part of the mainland. So there we have it, some countries of the world who have very dissimilar geography and climates. There are of course so many different comparisons that could be made, but this video could go on forever, so let us know if you can think of any of the good ones. And as always, thank you very much for watching this video.