What is the Most Developed Country in Latin America

It's difficult to provide a definitive answer to the question of which country in Latin America is the most developed, as development can be measured in many different ways, and there is no universally agreed-upon definition of what it means to be "developed."

However, some commonly used measures of development include factors such as economic growth, GDP per capita, education, healthcare, and human development index (HDI). According to the Human Development Index rankings published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2021, the following Latin American countries are ranked highest in terms of human development:

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The most developed region in all of Latin America is Puerto Rico. This is based on GDP Per Person, Life Expectancy, Unemployment Rate, plus additional Quality of Life metrics.

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1) Puerto Rico

Even though Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States, it is the most developed region in ALL of Latin America. While Puerto Rico is technically a territory of the United States and not a sovereign nation, it has a strong economy and high human development indicators that are comparable to many independent countries in the region.

According to the United Nations Development Programme's Human Development Index (HDI), Puerto Rico has a ranking of 31 out of 191 countries, which is higher than all other countries in Latin America except for Chile and Argentina.

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Puerto Rico also has THE HIGHEST GDP per capita in Latin America, with a 2020 estimate of $34,960. This is over double the amount of wealth in Chile, the Latin America country with the highest GDP per capita.

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Some of the key factors that have contributed to Puerto Rico's development include its strong infrastructure, particularly in transportation and telecommunications, its skilled workforce, and its location as a hub for trade and commerce. The territory's government has also implemented a number of social programs to promote education, health, and social inclusion.

However, it's important to note that Puerto Rico faces significant challenges as well, particularly in the areas of debt and political status. The territory has been grappling with a severe debt crisis in recent years, which has led to austerity measures and cuts to social programs. Additionally, the ongoing debate over Puerto Rico's political status as a territory of the United States versus a sovereign nation has implications for its development and relationship with other countries in the region.

Overall, if Puerto Rico were considered a separate country, it would be considered the most developed country in Latin America, by a fairly wide margin.

Puerto Rico Metrics

• GDP Per Person = $34,960 USD

• Human Development Index (HDI, 2020): N/A (Puerto Rico is not listed separately in the HDI rankings, but is included in the United States' HDI ranking)

• Life expectancy at birth (2020): 80.1 years

• Poverty rate (2019 estimate): 44.9%

• Unemployment rate (January 2022 estimate): 8.7%

• Inflation rate (2021 estimate): 3.2%

• Home Ownership Rate = 54.8%

2) Chile

Santiago, Chile (South America)

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Chile has made significant progress in improving its human development outcomes over the past few decades, thanks in part to its strong commitment to social spending, education, and healthcare. Chile has one of the highest rates of educational attainment in Latin America, with high levels of literacy and enrollment in primary, secondary, and tertiary education.

In addition, Chile has a relatively low poverty rate, and its economy has been growing steadily in recent years.

Chile Metrics

• HDI score: 0.851/1.00

• GDP per capita: $15,978

• Unemployment rate: 8.8%

• Average monthly wage: $1,234

• Homeownership rate: 74.9%

• Life expectancy: 80.5 years

3) Argentina

Despite facing economic and political challenges in recent years, Argentina remains a relatively well-developed country in Latin America, with a strong social welfare system, high literacy rates, and good healthcare outcomes.

Argentina has a strong tradition of public education, and a high percentage of its population has completed secondary or tertiary education. The country also has a relatively low infant mortality rate and a high life expectancy.

Argentina Metrics

• HDI score: 0.825

• GDP per capita: $11,747

• Unemployment rate: 10.4%

• Average monthly wage: $684

• Homeownership rate: 53.9%

• Life expectancy: 76.3 years

4) Uruguay

Uruguay is a small country with a high level of social and economic development. The country has a strong commitment to social welfare, and its government invests heavily in education and healthcare. Uruguay has one of the highest literacy rates in Latin America, and its population has relatively good health outcomes, with a low infant mortality rate and high life expectancy.

Uruguay Metrics

• HDI score: 0.817

• GDP per capita: $16,498

• Unemployment rate: 9.4%

• Average monthly wage: $1,200

• Homeownership rate: 65.9%

• Life expectancy: 77.9 years

5) Costa Rica

Costa Rica has a long history of investing in social welfare and environmental protection, which has contributed to its relatively high level of development. The country has a well-established public healthcare system, and a high percentage of its population has completed primary and secondary education.

Costa Rica also has a relatively low poverty rate and a high life expectancy, and has made significant progress in protecting its natural resources and promoting sustainable development.

Costa Rica Metrics

• HDI score: 0.810

• GDP per capita: $11,933

• Unemployment rate: 11.7%

• Average monthly wage: $630

• Homeownership rate: 65.5%

• Life expectancy: 80.1 years
  
  

  6) Panama

Panama is a small country that is known for its strong economy, low tax rates, and excellent infrastructure. It is a hub for international business and has a well-developed banking sector.

Panama Metrics

• HDI score: 0.789

• GDP per capita: $16,626

• Unemployment rate: 7.5%

• Average monthly wage: $975

• Homeownership rate: 64.8%

• Life expectancy: 78.3 years

More Articles from Pedal Chile

Sources

• UNDP. Human Development Index (HDI) Trends, 1990-2019. 2020. http://hdr.undp.org/en/data

• World Bank. GDP per capita (current US$) - Latin America & Caribbean. Accessed April 17, 2023. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD?locations=ZJ

• Trading Economics. Latin America Home Ownership Rate. Accessed April 17, 2023. https://tradingeconomics.com/latin-america/home-ownership-rate

• Trading Economics. Latin America Unemployment Rate. Accessed April 17, 2023. https://tradingeconomics.com/latin-america/unemployment-rate

• World Bank. Life expectancy at birth, total (years) - Latin America & Caribbean. Accessed April 17, 2023. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN?locations=ZJ

• Forbes. The Most Developed Countries In Latin America In 2021. Accessed April 17, 2023. https://www.forbes.com/sites/silviamarcu/2021/06/21/the-most-developed-countries-in-latin-america-in-2021/?sh=47d26d1e7b81

• World Population Review. Chile Population 2022. Accessed April 17, 2023. https://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/chile-population

• World Economic Forum. How Chile Became One Of Latin America's Most Innovative Economies. Accessed April 17, 2023. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/03/how-chile-became-one-of-latin-americas-most-innovative-economies/

Is Telluride Good For Beginners

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Is Telluride good for beginners?

• No. Telluride is not a good ski resort for beginners as less than 25% of the resort is beginner terrain. Telluride is also the steepest ski resort in Colorado and is considered to be the most challenging.

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Telluride Ski Resort Trail Ratings

• 23% Beginner (green circle)

• 36% Intermediate (blue square)

• 41% advanced or expert (black diamond or double diamond)

Telluride, Colorado

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Telluride: The Jackson Hole of Colorado

Telluride is known as the ‘Jackson Hole’ of Colorado and is the steepest mountain in the state.

• Telluride is located in the rugged San Juan mountain range of southwestern Colorado, which has jagged peaks. While Telluride Ski Resort has focused on creating more intermediate terrain over the years to bring in more tourists, Telluride is still Colorado’s toughest mountain with limited ski runs for beginners.

Telluride Ski Resort

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The ski website Peak Rankings challenging factor

• Telluride = 9/10

• Breckenridge = 8/10

• Copper Mountain = 8/10

• Vail = 7/10

• Loveland Ski Area = 7/10

• Park City = 7/10

• Keystone = 6/10

• Sun Valley = 6/10

Telluride

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Telluride: 2nd Hardest Mountain in Colorado

The website Out There Colorado, ranks Telluride as the second most challenging ski area/resort in Colorado, only behind Silverton Mountain.

• Silverton Mountain Ski Area has only one chairlift that allows skiers and riders to hike/skin to expert terrain. Telluride is about 10-miles away from Silverton (as the crow flies) and has similar topography.

Trips To Discover.com listed 17 of the world’s best resorts for extreme skiers and snowboarders. Jackson Hole, Verbier in Switzerland, Squaw Valley, Kicking Horse, and Telluride were all on this list.

Telluride

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Telluride & Prices

Vail, Breckenridge, Aspen, and Telluride are all famous Colorado ski towns and all are relatively expensive.

As someone who lived in Telluride for over 4 years, it perplexed me as to why a beginner would shell out some serious cash only to slide down the mountain on their butt. If you want to experience the Town of Telluride more so than the ski/snowboard experience and don’t care about money, you will have a great trip. However, if you are serious about getting better and actually getting some meaningful turns on the slopes, Telluride is not a great choice.

The Town of Telluride at night

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Telluride As A destination

Telluride and Mountain Village are connected by the only free public transit gondola in the United States. Even if you don’t ski or snowboard, you can still enjoy the amazing views from the free public gondola between these two towns.

Regardless of where you are in Telluride, everything is walkable. Bars, restaurants, lodging, cross-country skiing, ski resort, and stunning mountain views are all available right in town. For beginners that are more interested in the destination than time on the “hill,” Telluride is top-notch.

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• READ: Best Colorado Ski Resorts For Beginners?

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Jesse is the Director of Pedal Chile and lives in Valdivia. Jesse has a Master of Science in Health and Human Performance and is an avid mountain biker, snowboarder. Hobbies: Reading & researching, tasting good beer, and hot springing. Jesse lived in Colorado ski towns for 8 years.

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Is it cheaper to ski or snowboard

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What is more expensive, skiing or snowboarding?

• Ski equipment, primarily boots, bindings, and skis are double the price of snowboard gear (snowboard, boots, and bindings), while the rest of the expenses are identical.

  • Plus ski poles for skiers.

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Ski vs Snowboard Equipment Comparison

Ski Equipment Prices (new)

$650 to $1,200+

Skis

$650 to $1,200+

$200 to $500

Ski Bindings

$200 to $500

$400 to $800

Ski Boots

$400 to $800

$80 to $150

Ski Poles

$80 to $150

$1,330 to $2,650

Total Ski Equipment

$1,330 to $2,650

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Snowboard vs Ski Equipment Prices

Snowboard Equipment Prices (new)

$300 to $750

Snowboard

$300 to $750

$175 to $350

Snowboard Bindings

$175 to $350

$200 to $400

Snowboard Boots

$200 to $400

$675 to $1,500

Total Snowboard Equipment

$675 to $1,500

Snowboard vs Ski Equipment Prices

Equipment Prices: Snowboard vs Skis

The first snowboard on the left is a Snurfer - - “Some examples of historic snowboards seen at the Brighton Resort in Utah (provided by the Snowboard Museum)” - Quote and Image Source: Flickr

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Snowboarding equipment is cheaper than ski gear. The board, boots, and bindings are less expensive than skis and ski-specific boots and bindings.

In 1965, Sherman Poppen created the Snurfer by bolting together two skis for his daughter. By the late 1970s, Burton improved upon Poppen’s design by experimenting with fiberglass, foam, and laminated wood, which made the boards faster and more maneuverable and coined the term snowboard.

During the early days of snowboard, snowboarders saw themselves as counterculture and opposed to the expensive hobby of skiing.

Ski Pass

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

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Regardless of whether you ski or snowboard, you still need to buy the same season pass or lift ticket. 

Season Pass Prices

• The Epic Pass, Ikon, and Mountain Collective pass all cost between $500 to USD 1,100, depending on when you purchase the pass.

• Lift Ticket: $50 to $220 depending on resort/ski area and month.

Non-Equipment Gear

Non-equipment gear is everything other than the board/skis, bindings, boots, and ski poles.

• This includes your jacket, snow pants, goggles, helmet, gloves, hat, ski mask, base layers, socks, etc.

This gear can get expensive quickly and can easily cost the same or more than your skis/snowboard, boots, and bindings.

Final Thoughts

Skiing and snowboarding have near-identical costs except for the riding equipment. Skis, ski boots, and ski bindings cost about double the price of snowboards, snowboard boots, and snowboard bindings. Skiers additionally have the added cost of ski poles.

The initial equipment cost of skiing is double that of snowboarding. However, ski passes, lift tickets, clothing, helmets, goggles, lodging, food, etc are identical between skiers and snowboarders.

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Jesse is the Director of Pedal Chile and lives in Valdivia, Chile. Jesse has a Master of Science in Health & Human Performance and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Hobbies: Mountain biking, bicycle commuting, snowboarding, reading, weight-lifting, taster of craft beers, & ski resort/area connoisseur.

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How to make skiing more affordable

This author. Back in 2012.

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Many of these lists will advise you to pack a lunch, purchase half-day passes, or get a condo with a kitchen, I will do none of that. I’ve lived and worked in ski towns for nearly 8 years and this article provides you with local tips instead of banal platitudes.

Ski Areas vs Ski Resorts

In the early 1980s, the ski industry transitioned from small ski areas to destination-type resorts. Vail, Aspen, Park City, Big Sky, Breckenridge, and Sun Valley, are all examples of ski towns that house expansive and expensive ski resorts.

During this time, (the late-1970s to early-1980s), these towns began investing heavily in snow-making equipment, resort amenities, and lift infrastructure. J-Bars and tow ropes were replaced with high-speed lifts, gondolas, with ever-expanding terrain. All of this, of course, costs money, which is reflected in increased prices for lift tickets, lodging, and food.

Loveland Ski Area - Colorado

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Ski areas, by contrast, haven’t changed much since the 1990s. For example, Loveland Ski Area in Colorado, even in 2021, offers free snowcat skiing on the Continental Divide and has 1,800 acres of big mountain terrain.

• A season pass costs $499

• An unrestricted 4-pack costs $199, which is cheaper than a single day pass at many North American ski resorts (Vail is $219/day).

  • For example, tickets at the window at Breckenridge are $219/day. Breck has longer lines, with nearly identical terrain as Loveland Ski Area (2,210 feet of vertical and 422 inches of average snowfall).

Loveland isn’t the only ski area with deals:

Silverton, Colorado

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• Monarch Mountain, Colorado: $229/kids at $489/adults for season passes.

  • $317 for non-peak season 4-pack

  • Monarch Mountain officially opened in 1939, seven years before Aspen.

• Lookout Pass, border of Idaho and Montana: $35/seniors, $36/kids, and $46/adults per day.

Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area on the border of Idaho and Montana (Image Source)

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• Silverton, Colorado

  • Located on the same mountain as Telluride but a season pass is $209/adults vs $1,900 for Telluride.

Yes, the line can get long at the Silverton Mountain Ski Area in Colorado since there is ONLY one chair lift. (Image Source)

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• Mount Bohemia, Upper Michigan: $99/adult season pass. Over 300 inches of snow and 900 feet of vertical.

  • Bohemia has the biggest terrain in the Midwest and the driest snow.

Mount Bohemia, Upper Peninsula of Michigan (Image Source: Wikimedia)

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• Beaver Mountain Ski Area, northern Utah. $60/day or $600/season for adults and much cheaper for students, children, seniors, and the military.

  • 1,600 feet of vertical and 400 inches of snow…for the price is better value than almost any ski resort in Colorado.

• Loup Loup Ski Bowl, Washington: $55/day for an adult pass.

  • 1,240 vertical feet and about 3 hours from Spokane.

Sunlight Mountain - Glenwood Springs, Colorado

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• Sunlight Mountain, Colorado: $49 to $59/day for adults.

  • 2,010 feet of vertical and located 13-miles from Glenwood Hot Springs Pool. Also, about a 50-minute drive to the famed ski town of Aspen, Colorado.

Glenwood Springs, Colorado - USA

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• Brian Head Resort, Utah. $45/day and $25 for night skiing

  • 1,707 feet of vertical and 360 inches of snow. Brian Head has the highest base of any ski resort in Utah and is only 3.5 hours from Las Vegas.

Bridger Bowl - Montana

• Bridger Bowl Ski Area, Bozeman, Montana: One-day lift ticket (adults): $63.

  • Most likely the best value of any ski area in America. 2,600 feet of vertical along with 2,000 acres of skiable terrain. 75 runs. Also, 350 inches of dry Rocky Mountain powder.

  • More snow, longer runs, and bigger terrain than many expensive resorts in the USA or Canada.

I could have listed dozens more, but you get the idea. These lesser-known and smaller ski areas offer affordable skiing and budget lodgings options can be found nearby.

Downtown Silverton, Colorado. I took this picture in 2018 when I was living in Telluride.

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Purchase Tickets & Lodging Early

Booking early cannot be stressed enough. Book early for everything; tickets, rentals, lodging. Bundled deals offer good savings for resort-style vacations.

For the best deals, you need to book in the offseason. Lodging, lift tickets, and ski rentals all need to be booked BEFORE mid-November at the very latest.

• Season passes are only offered in the off-season.

• Tickets are cheaper when purchased online, at least a week prior but the best deals are found before Halloween.

Ski/Snowboard in Canada

Revelstoke (Canada)

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• Revelstoke, for example, pre-purchased lift tickets cost less than $80 (adjusted to United States Dollars).

• Whistler costs $149 (CA$189) on the day, or $127 (CA$159) if purchased ahead of time online.

  • Whistler Blackcomb is the largest ski resort in North America with 8,171 skiable acres and is absolutely gorgeous

Whistler Mountain, Whistler, BC, Canada

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Vail, for comparison, lift tickets cost $219 if purchased on the day or $179 when bought days before. However, the real savings is found in lodging, where these Canadian towns cost less than half, for comparable accommodations.

Whistler, Mont-Tremblant, and Revelstoke aren’t exactly cheap, but they are affordable when compared to American ski resorts. Trips to these destinations cost about 1/3 to 1/2 of the price of Vail, Aspen, Mammoth Mountain or a Killington ski vacation.

Canada, Skiing, & Prices

Keep in mind that Canadian ski areas/resorts are generally LESS expensive than those in the United States of America.

• Additionally, the U.S. Dollar is usually 20 - 35% stronger than the Canadian Dollar. For families that are purchasing several lift tickets, rentals, lodging, lessons, and meals, this equates to thousands of dollars in savings over a week long trip.

Mont Tremblant Ski Resort, Mont-Tremblant, Quebec (Canada)

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Backcountry ski/snowboard

Backcountry snowboarding - Red Mountain Pass (Ouray, Colorado)

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If you like to earn your turns, then backcountry skiing might be perfect for you. Recently, backcountry or off-piste skiing has grown in popularity, due to the ever-increasing costs and crowded nature of ski resorts, especially during peak season.

Not only do you not have to buy a lift ticket, but you can backcountry ski or snowboard in less expensive mountain towns, which means even larger savings.

However, backcountry comes with additional safety gear and equipment needs. Also, you need specific knowledge, especially related to avalanche hazards. Earning your turns in untouched powder has the power to change your life as long as you take precautions.

Backcountry skiing (Mayflower Gulch Trail, Frisco - Colorado)

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Hut-to-Hut Ski Trips

• The Summit Huts Association (SHA) developed and maintains five backcountry cabins, used for hut-to-hut skiing in Summit and Park counties, Colorado. The SHA emphasizes self-reliant backcountry skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, hiking, and mountain biking which provides an intimate connection with nature. Because of the popularity of these cabins, spots are hard to get, but they are relatively cheap and are an epic experience.

• The Alfred A. Braun Hut System (ABHS) is another hut system in Colorado. The ABHS is an Aspen-based non-profit that maintains 7 huts that connect Ashcroft and Crested Butte in the rugged Elk Mountains.

• In Southwest Colorado is the San Juan Hut System. This system of 5 backcountry ski huts connects Telluride, Ouray, and Ridgway, arguably the prettiest part of Colorado. These huts cost about $30 per night.

These are just 3 backcountry hut-to-hut skiing options, but there are dozens more on both the east and west coasts, as well as Alaska.

Ski in Argentina

Cerro Catedral, Bariloche, Argentina (Image Source: CSG Helmets)

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Cerro Catedral in the northern Patagonia of Argentina is the largest ski resort in South America and the Southern Hemisphere. This epic ski center is only 12 miles from Bariloche, which means you can sleep in a hostel bed for less than $8/night and eat Argentinian beef dinners for under $19… if you want.

• Daily lift ticket = $55 USD

• 3,000 acres

• 3,773 feet of vertical drop (Vail is 3,450 feet, for comparison)

• Equipment rentals and lessons are cheap

• Seasons reversed. Winter is June to October.

• This ski vacation is considered “cheap” by international standards

Even after purchasing your flight(s) to Argentina, a week-long ski trip at Cerro Catedral is quite a bit cheaper than a trip to Vail, Breck, or Jackson.

Cerro Catedral, Argentina (not during the ski season)

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Late Season Deals

Late March and early April is low/late season for ski resorts. This doesn’t mean too much for lift tickets, even though they are reduced, but the main deals are found with steeply discounted accommodations, which is generally the most expensive component of ski/snowboard trips.

Avoid Peak Season

The least expensive times to ski are the beginning and end of the season, which is because the snow is generally the worst or at the very least unpredictable. Typically, fall skiing doesn’t have much of a base with limited terrain while spring skiing is wet and heavy.

Low season is cheaper with shorter lift lines. Picture from Telluride Ski Resort, Colorado

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The most expensive times are:

• Christmas through the New Years holiday

• President’s Day weekend

• Spring break is a popular time. This varies by the school district. While it isn't always considered peak season, it does crowd resorts and fill-up lodging, which increases prices and lift lines.

Off-Site Lodging

Park City, Utah - About 30 miles from Salt Lake City

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While it’s obvious that ski-in/ski-out accommodations are the most expensive, just being near the resort is still costly. It’s easy to spend $1,000/night for a place that is right on the slopes, or for example, you could spend 44 dollars at a Motel 6 in downtown Salt Lake City and drive the 31 miles to Park City Mountain Resort in nearby Park City, Utah.

The La Quinta Inn in Silverthorne, Colorado is within a 30-minutes drive to Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, A-Basin, Loveland, Keystone, and Vail. For less than $100/night, you can take the free bus to many of these resorts or pluck down an additional Andrew Jackson or two for parking.

 

There are too many examples to list here, but the point is that a 30-minute(ish) drive or bus ride can save you hundreds of dollars per night on lodging while being near affordable restaurants, pubs, bars, microbrewery, and equipment rentals.

used ski/Snowboard Gear

Public relations teams for ski and snowboard manufacturers popularize the message that becoming a better skier/snowboarder is about buying the latest equipment due to “technological progress.” However, the average rider is unable to detect the differences between a brand new $800 snowboard or a used one on eBay for a hundred dollars. The same thing goes for bindings, boots, jackets, goggles, snow pants, etc.

I average over 100 days on the “hill,” while wearing a $10 pair of used kids googles, no helmet, a $40 jacket from Goodwill, while riding a used demo board, bought at the end of a previous season for $100 cash. Few people on the mountain are out “shredding” me even though they got thousands of dollars worth of gear and equipment. Lance Armstrong says, “it’s not about the bike.” The same goes for skiing, it’s not about the skis, board, boots, or bindings as long as they work.

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Jesse is the Director of Pedal Chile and lives in Valdivia, Chile. Jesse has a Master of Science in Health & Human Performance and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Hobbies: Mountain biking, bicycle commuting, snowboarding, reading, weight-lifting, taster of craft beers, & ski resort/area connoisseur

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How Many Countries In South America

Image Source

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How many countries are in South America?

South America is made up of 12 countries and 3 territories, the countries include; Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

• The three territories are the Falkland Islands (UK), French Guiana (France), and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (UK)

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The 12 Countries of South America

1. Argentina

2. Bolivia

3. Brazil

4. Chile

5. Colombia

6. Ecuador

7. Guyana

8. Paraguay

9. Peru

10. Suriname

11. Uruguay

12. Venezuela

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Plus Three Territories

1. Falkland Islands (self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom)

   • Also claimed by Argentina as Islas Malvinas

2. French Guiana (overseas territory of France)

3. South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (British Overseas Territory in the southern Atlantic Ocean)

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Falkland Islands (United Kingdom)

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Islas Malvinas to the Argentinians are 300 miles off the Argentine coast (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

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The Falkland Islands, located 7,500 miles (12,068 km) from Great Britain and only 300 miles (483 km) from the Argentine coast.

Since 1833, the Falkland Islands have been under the administration of the United Kingdom, and under the rules of the United Nations, the Falkland Islands are an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom.

• Population: 3,398 inhabitants (2016)

• Currency: Falkland Islands Pound (FKP)

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The Falkland Islands - 7,500 miles from the UK (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

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Saunders island of the Falkland Islands

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French Guiana

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Cayenne - The capital city of French Guiana (Image Source)

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According to the European Central Bank:

"French Guiana is an overseas department of France located on the northern Atlantic coast of South America. As part of France, French Guiana forms an outermost region of the EU and therefore belongs to the euro area."

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French Guiana is located in the northeastern part of South America, sharing a border with Suriname on the west and Brazil on the east. Colonized in the early part of the 17th century, it became a French department in 1946.

• 90% of French Guiana is located in the Amazon rainforest

• Currency = The Euro (since it’s part of the European Union)

• Population: 290,691 inhabitants (2020)

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South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands

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South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Image Source)

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South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands have been under British administration since 1908. These islands are known for their large bird and seal populations and lie approximately 620 miles (1,000) km east of the Falkland Islands.

The CIA World Factbook describes South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands as:

“Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of the tip of South America.”

These islands of South Georgia and the South Sandwich islands are the southernmost points of South America.

King penguins under a dramatic sky in South Georgie and the South Sandwich Islands

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Most unique national parks in the world

Road closed after it got covered in lava - Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (USA)

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According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), there are over 4,000 national parks globally, which protect about 13% of our global landmass. Australia houses over 600 National Parks, most of any country. 

With so many amazing parks to choose from, curating a list is challenging, but this list provides the top 11 most unique national parks, based on biodiversity, sacred sites, historical artifacts, cave paintings, dynamic ecosystems, and unique experiences.  

1)     Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, USA

The first national park in the USA (widely believed to be the first in the world), Yellowstone is internationally famous for its vast selection of geological and geothermal features. Much of the national park straddles the caldera of a giant supervolcano and contains a multitude of geysers, vividly colored hot pools, mud cauldrons, and fumaroles. 10,000 of these features exist in the park, which is thought to be around half of all those known in the world.

The Yellowstone River also flows through the park, flowing down two huge waterfalls into a vast canyon. A diverse range of fauna and flora calls lives in Yellowstone, including 67 mammals, 330 bird species, and various types of trees and flowers. Microscopic organisms also thrive in the incredibly hot springs, producing their glorious bright colors.

• Yellowstone National Park was established March 1st, 1872 by the 18th United States President, Ulysses S. Grant.

• Delaware and Rhode Island combined are smaller than Yellowstone, which is 3,472 square miles (8,987 square km).

• There are over 10,000 hydro-thermal features, including over 300 geysers.

• The park includes about 290 waterfalls.

• 96% of the park is located in northwest Wyoming.

2)     Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal

Situated deep within the Himalayan Mountain Range, Sagarmatha is an incredible national park with an extreme alpine landscape. Most of it lies at an altitude of 3,000 meters (10,000 feet) above sea level and includes a wide range of amazing geological features, ranging from deep valleys and gorges to large glaciers and towering peaks.

The Nepali side of Mt. Everest, the tallest mountain in the world, is included in the national park (Sagarmatha is the Nepali name for the mountain), as are many other peaks that exceed 6,000 meters (20,000 feet) in height.

It is an incredibly wild and remote national park, which is ideal for trekking, mountain climbing, and wildlife spotting. Many different animal species can be found in the park, including musk deer, the Himalayan tahr and goral, wolves, and the Himalayan black bear.

3)     Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

The Serengeti is a vast national park in northern Tanzania that is famous around the world for its rich variety of wildlife. Many lions, leopards, zebras, giraffes, and around 500 bird species call the Serengeti their home and are often seen roaming or flying over its vast plains. 

The large savannah-type grassland is popular with tourists. Along with the Maasai Mara to the north, the Serengeti is crossed twice a year by the Great Migration, where approximately 1.5 million wildebeest and many other mammal species cross the park from north and south between March and May and return during October and November. It is, therefore, no surprise that the Serengeti is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

• Serengeti National Park is huge. It’s nearly twice the size of Yellowstone (14,763 square kilometers).

• Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa is only 180 miles (292 km) from the Serengeti.

View of Kilimanjaro from Amboseli National Park, Kenya

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4)     Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil

Located on Brazil’s northern coast, Lençóis Maranhenses is made up of a vast system of sand dunes.

However, unlike most coastal dune systems, which are often covered in vegetation, the Lençóis Maranhenses is rather unique.

• Here, the sand of the dunes is exposed, producing an incredibly scenic landscape of white sand dunes that stretches for many miles into the horizon, interspersed with many turquoise-colored ponds of water.

• This park is also known as the “Brazilian Sahara.”

• Lençóis means ‘sheets’ in Portuguese

As one of the most coveted Brazilian destinations, the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park spreads over an area of 155,000 hectares, of which 90,000 are filled with dunes dotted with lagoons with translucent water (Image Source: Flickr).

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They are filled by monsoon rains during the wet season and are prevented from draining by an impermeable layer of rock beneath the surface. Aside from the dunes, two oases lie in the middle of the park, forming small pockets of vegetation surrounded by sand. Lençóis Maranhenses is also a magnet for wildlife, with 112 bird species and over 40 reptile species living here.

5)     Zion National Park, Utah, United States

Located in southwestern Utah, Zion National Park is a spectacular area of deep canyons, high peaks, and other geological formations.

The park is incredibly wild and includes a wide variety of habitats that cater to a very diverse ecosystem. Vast canyons eroding into the Markagunt Plateau cover much of the national park, lined with giant red- and gray-colored sandstone cliffs. Unique geological features can be found here, including The Subway – a tunnel-shaped slot canyon situated at the base of a much larger gorge.

Numerous natural arches have been carved into the sandstone, such as Kolob Arch, which hangs high above the canyon system of the same name. A multitude of waterfalls and canyon streams flow through the national park. A series of towering mountain peaks overlook the area, including North and South Guardian Angel, and Horse Mountain.

6)     Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Australia

Surrounded by the vast wilderness of Australia’s Western Desert, the world-famous Uluru rock formation forms the centerpiece of this national park.

This giant red-colored sandstone formation is very unusual in that it is bordered by flat dryland plains on all sides, with steep slopes rising up from the ground on all sides. Deep gorges and inlets can be found around the slopes of Uluru, including the impressive Kantju Gorge.

The national park also includes a separate series of large domed rock formations called Kata Tjuta, many of which are separated by large gorges. Both Uluru and Kata Tjuta also have a great deal of cultural importance to the local Anangu people, who regard both rock formations as sacred.

7)     Torres del Paine, Chile

The Torres del Paine National Park is situated in the Patagonia region of southern Chile. It is an incredible landscape, most famous for its tower-like granite peaks of the Cordillera Paine mountain range, which reach majestically into the sky.

Vast glaciers run down from the mountains through deep valleys, with icebergs frequently calving into lakes filled with beautiful turquoise-colored glacial water.

Lu, part of team Pedal Chile at Parque Nacional Torres del Paine (Chile- South America)

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A large lake named Lago Nordenskjold forms a boundary between the mountains to the north and a series of rocky grass-covered hills to the south – its southern shore provides the best views of the Cordillera Paine peaks. The Salto Grande waterfall is another highlight, with its bright blue-colored glacial water flowing over the wild landscape from one lake to another.

8)     Katmai National Park, Alaska, USA

Katmai National Park is located in southern Alaska, around 290 miles to the southwest of Anchorage. Katmai, the 6th least visited National Park and is larger than any park in the lower-48, is hard to get to. The only way into this park is by boat or floatplane, which departs from nearby King Salmon.

It has a wonderful landscape, with wild coniferous forests renowned for their brown bears, and large glacial lakes that are rich in salmon. The centerpiece of the national park is a giant snow-capped volcano named Mount Katmai, which last erupted in 1912, forming a vast caldera that was subsequently filled in by a lake that exists to this day.

The national park is also famous for its Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes – a deep layer of ash flow from the 1912 eruption. It was named a few years after the eruption when thousands of fumaroles venting steam from the ash were observed. Although the steam vents have since stopped, the ash-filled valley remains a rather unique landscape, a barren and flat stretch of land flanked by hills and forests.

The Bears of Brooks Falls

The coast of Katmai is home to 1,500-2,000 brown bears, which is the highest density of coastal brown bears in the world. This is because this region is also home to the largest salmon run in the world. Due to the sheer abundance of salmon, bears in the region tolerate close proximity to other bears and humans.

Here at Brooks River, you causally walk next to bears and oftentimes are within 10 feet (see picture above). The main reason visitors come to Katmai is to experience the unique interaction with bears and watch the river run pink with salmon.

Brown Bears at Brooks Falls, Katmai National Park (Image Source: Flickr)

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9)     Zhangye Danxia National Park, Gansu Province, China

In the eastern foothills of the Qilian Mountains sits the Zhangye Danxia National Park.

• It is renowned for its impressive and unusual hill markings, which are a series of vibrantly colored bands of rock – orange and reddish hues that contrast against gray and whiteish colors to create a beautiful and rather unique piece of scenery.

Since this is a badlands environment located in the middle of a vast, semi-arid part of China, there is a lack of soil or vegetation, leaving the bedrock exposed to the elements. Over many thousands of years, water erosion has formed steep valleys and gullies between each rocky hill, carving out an incredibly wild and rugged landscape.

10)  Calanques National Park, France

Located on the coast of southern France, just south of the city of Marseille, Calanques National Park is a superb blend of wild limestone cliffs and a quintessentially Mediterranean landscape.

The national park is made up of a scenic karstic environment, with craggy limestone hills overlooking the beautiful turquoise sea. The coastline is incredibly dramatic, with large rocky cliffs meandering their way around headlands, narrow inlets, and hidden beaches made of pristine white sand.

Parc national des Calanques (France)

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A range of large limestone hills lines the coast, covered by shrubs and wood of Mediterranean pine trees. The view from the hilltops is spectacular; the summit of Mont Puget provides amazing views of the coastline, and for many miles across the limestone plateau to the north.

 11) Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park

This national park starts at the Pacific Ocean and extends all the way to 13,677 feet (4,169m) as it encompasses the summits of two of the world's most active volcanoes - Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

Hawaii National Park opened in 1916, 43 years before Hawaii became the 50th U.S. state. Since there is nearly 14,000 feet of elevation change, plants and trees are widely varied, with climates ranging from desert to tropical rainforest.

View fullsize

Hikers explore the surface of the hardened lava lake that formed during the 1959 eruption at Kīlauea Iki crater (Image Source: Flickr)

• There are at least 1,000 native species of flowering plants in Hawaii. Over 90% of these are endemic, meaning they are only found in Hawaii.

• The park includes at least nine ecological zones; nearshore marine, seacoast, lowland, mid-elevation woodland, rain forest, upland forest, subalpine, alpine, and aeolian.

• Numerous lava caves occur throughout the park. These include lava tubes, crater vent caves, fissure and rift zone caves, pressure ridge caves, tree mold caves, and sea caves among others.

• Mauna Loa, at 13,677 feet (4,169m), is the world’s largest active volcano and has erupted nearly 40 times since 1832.

• The two longest lava tubes in the world are located within the park.

Hōlei Sea Arch (Image Source: Flickr)

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Valentina is a guide for Pedal Chile and is our geology expert. Valentina has been in love with volcanoes ever since she first saw Villarrica glowing in her native country of Chile. Valentina was born and raised in La Patagonia, which probably explains her affinity for adventuring. When Valentina isn’t crushing some poor dude’s soul, you can find her shredding down Rucapillán. Favorite season: Austral Summer

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References & Sources

• https://www.nps.gov/katm/index.htm.

• https://torresdelpaine.com/atraccion/parque-nacional-torres-del-paine/

• https://www.lelongweekend.com/calanques-national-park-marseille-cassis/

• https://parksaustralia.gov.au/uluru/

• https://www.chinahighlights.com/zhangye/attraction/danxia-landform-geological-park.htm

• https://www.nps.gov/zion/index.htm

• https://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm

• https://www.britannica.com/place/Yellowstone-National-Park/Physical-features

• https://www.serengeti.com/

• https://www.visitbrasil.com/attractions/lencois-maranhenses-national-park.html

• https://www.welcomenepal.com/places-to-see/sagarmatha-national-park.html

Hawaii vs Puerto Rico: Which Vacation Is Better?

Aerial view of Kauai - Hawaii

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As someone who has lived in Hawaii, and who currently lives part-time in Puerto Rico, I have been asked countless times if Hawaii or Puerto Rico is better. This article breakdowns Hawaii vs Puerto Rico for vacationing.

Cost: Hawaii vs Puerto Rico

Daily costs, according to Lonely Planet:

• Hawaii: $100 - $250/day

• Puerto Rico:$120 - $250/day

According to the travel website Budget Your Trip:

• Hawaii: $269/day

• Puerto Rico: $174/day

Overall, Puerto Rico is a little less costly than Hawaii, but Puerto Rico is by no means cheap.

Beaches

North Shore of Oahu - Hawaii

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In 2017, The FlightNetwork crafted The World’s 50 Best Beaches list by conferring with over 1,200 travel journalists, editors, bloggers, and agencies.

• Hawaii: 3 beaches ranked in top 50 for World’s best beaches and 15 in North America’s top 50 beaches

• Puerto Rico: Zero (0) beaches ranked in the top 50 on any best beaches lists.

Flamenco beach on the Caribbean island of Culebra (Puerto Rico)

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Hawaii has more idyllic beaches but Puerto Rico has warmer water.

• Hawaii: 76 to 81°F (24 to 27°C)

• Puerto Rico: 79 to 84°F (26 to 29°C)

Beach Winner

Hawaii. Puerto Rico has a handful of epic beaches, however, Hawaii has dozens of beaches that are among the World’s best.

Food & Drink

• Image Left: Hawaii’s famous poi (image source: Flickr)

• Image Right: Puerto Rico’s famous mofongo (image source: Flickr)

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Most of Latin America is known for bland food, with the exceptions of Mexico, Perú, and Colombia. Puerto Rico’s most famous dish is mofongo de plátano which is mashed up fried plantain mixed with meat and condiments.

Of course, bland Puerto Rican food, such as arroz con salchichas y bistec ensebollado or yuca al ajillo is still tastier than Hawaii’s famous duo of Spam and taro. Hawaii’s most famous dish, poi, is basically a bowl of mashed potato paste.

Hawaii’s Spam musubi (Image Source: Flickr)

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Puerto Rico’s most famous and only microbrewery is Ocean Labs. Hawaii has Waikiki Brewing Company, Honolulu Beerworks, Lanikai Beer Co, Aloha Beer Company, Maui Brewing Company, Kona Brewing Company, and Kauai Beer Company, just to highlight a handful.

Food Winner

Draw. Puerto Rico nor Hawaii is known for their cuisine.

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“Locals had good reason to fear that mainland haoles might condescend to them for speaking their first language, pidgin (Hawaii Creole English) and for enjoying Local Food, including the highly regarded Local treat, SPAM”

—  Food, Culture & Society

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Wild horses roam the countryside on Vieques (8-miles east of Puerto Rican mainland)

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Main Attractions

Hawaii has more total noteworthy attractions, however, they are spread out over 4 main islands. Puerto Rico’s hot spots are spread out on the main island and the tiny islands of Vieques and Culebra.

Kaanapali beach sunset on Maui, Hawaii (Image Source: Flickr)

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Hawaii's Main Attractions

Volcanoes National Park - Big Island

Na Pali Coast - Kaua‘i

Pearl Harbor National Memorial

Hana Highway - Maui

Haleakalā National Park - Maui

Hanalei Bay - Kaua‘i

North Shore of Oʻahu

Waimea Canyon, Kauaʻi

Waipiʻo Valley - Big Island

Night Diving & Snorkeling

Mauna Kea - Big Island

Waikiki - Oʻahu

Stargazing at Mauna Loa Observatory

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Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

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Puerto Rico’s Main Attractions

Old San Juan

Castillo de San Cristóba, El Morro Fort, San Juan Cathedral

El Yunque National Forest

Playa Flamenco (Culebra)

Bioluminescent Bay (Vieques)

Surfing and Whale Watching at Rincon

Rio Camuy Caves

The Tres Palmas Marine Reserve

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Attraction Winner

Hawaii.

• It’s highly doubtful that Puerto Rico’s top attraction would even crack the top 50 for Hawaii.

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Historical Sites

The greater San Juan Metro area (Puerto Rico), among all the state capitals, is the oldest European settlement within the United States and its territories. Founded in 1509 by the Spaniard Don Juan Ponce de Leon, it was the second European settlement in all of the Americas and the first port of any vessel crossing the Atlantic.

La Fortaleza (Puerto Rico)

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Old San Juan, is a Spanish colonial history mixed with present-day Puerto Rican life. This entire area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with hundreds of restored 16th and 17th-century Spanish colonial buildings.

The oldest street in the U.S. is Elfreth's Alley in Philadelphia, dating back to 1703. However, the streets of Old San Juan also date back to the early 18th century as the ballasts of the Spanish conquistador ships were filled with cobblestones of adoquines, a blue stone cast from furnace slag and were used as road pavers.

Historic streets in Old San Juan - Puerto Rico

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Historical Sites: Hawaii

The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is maybe the most famous historical site in Hawaii, however, is also the most overrated and touristy IMO (about 1.5 million annual visitors).

O'ahu - Honolulu - Pearl Harbor: USS Arizona Memorial (Image Source: Flickr)

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Historical Winner

Puerto Rico.

The entire Old San Juan downtown core has evolved from its 16th century origins, yet there is no place in the United States with this much antiquity of civilization.

Old San Juan - Puerto Rico (Image Source)

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Snorkeling

Lonely Planet ranks Hanauma Bay in Hawaii as the 3rd best snorkeling beach in the World, only behind Lady Elliot Island of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and Fernando de Noronha in Brazil.

Hanauma Bay, Ohau, Hawaii

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The best snorkel spot in Puerto Rico is Culebra, a small island 17-miles from the mainland. Culebra is also home to the most famous beach in Puerto Rico, Flamenco Beach.

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Coral Reefs Around Puerto Rico

Image Source: Larsen, Matthew C., and Richard M. T. Webb. “Potential Effects of Runoff, Fluvial Sediment, and Nutrient Discharges on the Coral Reefs of Puerto Rico.” Journal of Coastal Research, vol. 251, Jan. 2009, pp. 189–208.

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Vieques, another island off the coast of Puerto Rico mainland offers amazing snorkeling and is home to the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge.

All the Hawaiian islands have great snorkeling, however, the Big Island is generally considered to be the best overall.

• The state of Hawaii (Main Hawaiian Islands) is bequeathed with over 410,000 acres of coral reefs

Snorkeling Winner

Hawaii. Not even a contest.

Kahaluʻu Bay — on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi (Image Source)

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Surfing

North Shore Oahu (Hawaii)

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Puerto Rico’s Rincón is widely considered one of the top surfing destinations in the world. However, Oahu’s Pipeline, Maui’s Honolua Bay, Jaws, Backdoor, 7-miles of the North Shore, and beginner-friendly Hanalei Bay in Hawaii are all World renown for a reason.

In 2018 Punta Borinquen was named the Caribbean's first World Surfing Reserve, which is a 5-mile stretch of coastline from Crash Boat to Surfer's Beach in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

Rincón, Puerto Rico

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Rincón, located on the northwest corner of Puerto Rico, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea is a 7.5 mile (12km) stretch of coral reefs and sandy shores.

Surfing Winner

Hawaii…Obviously.

O‘ahu, also home to the state capital in Hawaii

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Hiking

Kalalau Trail - The island of Kauai of Hawaii

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Hawaii is truly a hikers paradise. Hawaiian treks will take you to active volcanoes, lush valleys, cascading waterfalls, secret beaches, sea cliffs, and magical watering holes. Of all the amazing hikes in Hawaii, none is more famous than the Kalalau Trail.

• The eleven-mile Kalalau Trail meanders along the Nā Pali Coast of Kauai and is considered a Top 100 Hike in the World and is home to some of the oldest archeological sites in Hawaii.

Hiking in El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico

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The interior of Puerto Rico offers mountainous terrain and El Yunque National Forest.

Hiking Winner

Hawaii and a very clear winner.

Easier Flight

This depends on where on the Planet you are, but Hawaii is closer to Alaska than any part of the continental USA. Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii is 2,558 miles (4,117km) from Los Angles and 5,000 miles (8,046km) from New York City.

San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico is only 1,606 miles from NYC and is in the same time zone half the year. Unless you live on the west coast, Puerto Rico is a faster and cheaper flight.

Star Gazing

The Mauna Kea Observatory on Hawaii’s Big Island is mostly snowcapped in the winter

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Maunakea’s 13,796 foot (4,205m) summit is known as the Earth’s window into the universe. This is the tallest mountain in the world measured from the ocean floor to the peak and is surrounded by thousands of miles of open ocean with very little atmospheric turbulence.

Piercing above the general cloud layer, the dormant shield volcano Mauna Kea has mostly clear skies combined with dry air, and photometric conditions 70% of the time. The Maunakea Observatories is only a little over an hour’s drive from Hilo Hawaii.

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Whale Watching

Whales & Hawaii

From mid-December to late April, the southwest coast of Maui is one of the top destinations in the world for watching humpbacks. The area of ocean that surrounds Maui has been designated as the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

Puerto Rico & Whales

Between December and March, humpback whales pass through the Mona Passage and the waters around Vieques and Culebra. The Mona Passage is the Caribbean's best spot for seeing whales and one of the World’s main migration areas for humpbacks in the underwater canyon between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

You can also site whales from the lighthouse in Rincón, as the humpback are spotted less than 700 feet offshore.

 

Google Maps of Mona Passage

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More Touristy

About 10 million visitors a year come to Hawaii whereas Puerto Rico gets about 3.5 million tourists. Oahu, the most visited of all the Hawaiian islands attracts nearly 5 million annual visitors. For perspective, the main island of Puerto Rico is 6 times larger than Oahu with 1/3 fewer tourists.

Of the 4 main Hawaiian islands, Kauai is considered the quietest as it gets the least amount of tourists. However, Kauai gets about 1.5 million tourists a year and this island is about 6.5 times smaller than Puerto Rico. Also, Kauai only has one main highway on the island that is shaped like a horseshoe (lots of traffic and road congestion).

Touristy Winner

Puerto Rico is significantly less touristy than Hawaii, especially compared to the islands of Oahu, Maui, and Kauai.

A beach on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques

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Weather

Hawaii has a mild tropical climate with two seasons, summer and winter. The capital city of Honolulu ranges from 68°F to 87°F (20°C to 30.5°C). Rainfall varies dramatically in Hawaii. For example, Mount Waialeale (Kauai,) one of the wettest spots on Earth, averages 450 inches (11,430 mm), whereas parts of the Big Island average under 10 inches a year. 

• Summer (dry season) - May through October. Hotter weather with regular trade winds.

• Winter (rainy season) - November to April. Cooler temperatures and frequent rainstorms.

Puerto Rico Weather

Puerto Rico is hotter and more humid than Hawaii and classified as a tropical rainforest by the Köppen climate classification system. San Juan, the capital city, varies from 72°F to 90°F (22°C to 33°C).

• Dry Season: December to March. Slightly cooler temperatures and less humid compared to the wet season.

• Wet Season: April to November. 80% of the yearly rainfall occurs during these months. Wet season is hot, wet, and muggy.

• Hurricane Season: June 1st to December. The Bermuda Triangle, which is bounded by Bermuda, Miami, and Puerto Rico, is also home to ‘hurricane alley.’

• Best weather months: January to April. Mild and dry tropical climate.

(Image Source: Flickr)

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Jesse is the Director of Pedal Chile and lives in La Patagonia and Puerto Rico. Jesse has a Master of Science in Health and Human Performance and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Hobbies: Mountain biking, bicycle commuting, reading, snowboarding, researching, and sampling yummy craft beers.

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Sources & References

1. Larsen, Matthew C., and Richard M. T. Webb. “Potential Effects of Runoff, Fluvial Sediment, and Nutrient Discharges on the Coral Reefs of Puerto Rico.” Journal of Coastal Research, vol. 251, Jan. 2009, pp. 189–208, 10.2112/07-0920.1.

2. Laudan, Rachel. “Homegrown Cuisines or Naturalized Cuisines? The History of Food in Hawaii and Hawaii’s Place in Food History.” Food, Culture & Society, vol. 19, no. 3, 2 July 2016, pp. 437–459.

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Best Colorado Ski Resorts for Beginners

Copper Mountain - near Frisco, Colorado

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As someone who has lived in Colorado ski towns for 8 years, including Telluride, Copper Mountain, Avon, and Keystone, and has actually been to every ski resort in the state numerous times. I have decided to write this article, as most of what I read, I'm skeptical if the writer has even been there.

1) Steamboat Springs

Why it’s great for beginners

Steamboat is known among ski bums as “SlowBoat” because it lacks steeps. This is the flattest and easiest ski resort in all of Colorado. I know many resort employees whose first black diamond they rode was at the Slowboat. Advanced skiers/snowboarders enjoy it here because of the great tree runs and an average snowfall of 336-inches, 5th best in the state.

• 56% of the ski runs are either beginner or intermediate

Steamboat is the lowest elevation ski resort in Colorado, with the base at 6,900 feet, about 150 feet higher than the town. For those that are concerned about altitude, the top of this resort (10,568 ft) is actually lower than the parking lot of Loveland, and only a few hundred feet higher than Copper Mountain and Breckenridge’s base.

Non-Skiing Activities

After a day of skiing in the self-anointed “champagne” powder, there are several hot springs in or near Steamboat, including Strawberry Park Hot Springs, one of the best hot springs in the entire state of Colorado.

Strawberry Park Hot Springs

About 5-10 miles outside of Steamboat. A natural hot spring. (Image Source: Flickr)

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Food & Microbreweries

Mahogany Ridge Brewery, Mountain Tap Brewery, Storm Peak Brewery, plus Steamboat Whiskey Company are 4 local establishments that are great places to have a drink or two after some fun in the snow. 

Steamboat Springs is one of the larger ski towns in Colorado. There are over 130 restaurants, backcountry dining, hot springs, spas, and nightlife in the Boat.   

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Downtown Steamboat Springs - Colorado

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Why I like Steamboat

A 3-hour and 15-minute drive from Denver assuming there is no traffic, rest breaks, or snow, makes this resort off the beaten path. Combine that with not being on Vail’s Epic Pass, which means this resort doesn’t have the crowds or lines that many of the I-70 corridor resorts experience.

Great snow, epic tree runs, and a stop at Radium Hot Springs along the way make this trip always a treat.

View of Steamboat Springs from the gondola. (Image Source: Flickr)

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Steamboat Springs Stats

Skiable Area

2,965 acres

Runs

165 total

Difficulty Level

14% Beginner, 42% intermediate, 44% advanced, 0% expert

Base Elevation

6,900 feet

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2) Copper Mountain

Why it’s great for beginners

I might be a bit biased as this is the first ski resort I worked at in Colorado and have so many amazing memories.

All the beginner and easier runs are located in the same area, which means that you won’t take a wrong turn or catwalk and find yourself on a black or double diamond. Also, you can access any of the villages as a beginner, since the mountain is easy to navigate, especially with family or with friends of different levels.

• 46% of the runs are either greens or blues

Non-Skiing Activities

Copper Mountain has its own walkable village with bars, shops, and restaurants. While it’s considered small by larger resort standards, Frisco, Colorado is a 5-minute drive, if you are looking for more nightlife, restaurants, and breweries.

Why I like Copper

Copper Mountain is not owned by Vail Resorts and is not part of the Epic Pass. Making this is the least crowded and most affordable resort in the area. Also, it’s the closest ski resort to Denver, at 1-hour and 20-minutes from downtown.

• Copper is 5 minutes to Frisco/Silverthorne

• 28 minutes to Breckenridge and Keystone

• 23 minutes to Vail

• 32 minutes to Leadville

• 40 minutes to Idaho Springs

Making Copper conveniently located to experience many of Colorado’s winter highlights.

Frisco, Colorado

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Copper Mountain Stats

Skiable Area

2,465 acres

Runs

140+ total

Difficulty Level

21% Beginner, 25% intermediate, 36% advanced, 18% expert

Base Elevation

9,712 feet

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3) Loveland Ski Area

Why it’s good for beginners

An unrestricted 4-pass is $199, which is about the same price as a single-day lift ticket at the nearby Vail Resorts.

• 54% greens and blues

Non-Skiing Activities

This is a ski area and not a resort, so not much besides skiing or snowboarding. However, Loveland is under an hour from Denver and located before the Eisenhower Tunnel, which has many unforeseen closures. Frisco/Silverthorne is only 20 minutes away, and Breckenridge is 35 minutes.

Stuck on I-70. Very common. Most likely related to the tunnel or an accident. (Image Source: Flickr)

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Why I like Loveland

Great prices, short lines, and the same big mountain experience as the nearby mega-resorts. Also, and very importantly, Loveland averages the most snow in the state, at over 420 inches.

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Loveland Ski Area Stats

Skiable Area

1,800 acres

Runs

94 total

Difficulty Level

13% Beginner, 41% intermediate, 46% advanced/expert

Base Elevation

10,800 feet

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4) Snowmass Ski Area (Aspen area)

Ajax, Aspen, and Stars.

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The Aspen Ski Company has 4 ski areas/resorts. Most locals say Aspen Highlands is their favorite, but all the fun terrain is only accessible by hiking/skinning, which IMO defeats the purpose of getting a lift ticket and is not good for beginners.

Why it’s good for beginners

Only Vail has more skiable acres than Snowmass in Colorado and 53% is classified as beginner or intermediate. That is lots of options and room for beginners. Snowmass has fast chairlifts and short lines so you can maximize your time on the slopes.

Aspen is 200 miles from Denver or nearly 4 hours drive with no traffic or snow, which keeps the “Tunnel Trash” down to a minimum (Tunnel Trash is what the ski locals call those who live in the Denver metro area as they have to drive through the Eisenhower Tunnel to get to the mountains).

Ajax and downtown Aspen

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Non-Skiing Activities

Snowmass village is rather small and has limited options, however, it’s only a 20 minute car drive to downtown Aspen, which is one of my favorite mountain towns in Colorado.

• The John Denver Sanctuary is located right in town next to Rio Grande Park and is near the spot he wrote his famous song “Rocky Mountain HIgh” (image below).

• The J-bar in the Hotel Jerome was Hunter S. Thompson’s favorite drinking spot.

• Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge is about a 45 minute drive from downtown Aspen, where you can soak and relax

• The Wheeler Opera House is the venue for concerts, festivals, movies, lectures, and more.

• Aspen Brewery Company is the oldest brewery in town after Flying Dog relocated to Maryland.

Aspen at 15,000+ feet (Image Source: Flickr)

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Why I like Aspen/Snowmass

Few ski experiences are more iconic than Aspen. Four ski areas all on the same pass, little crowds, fast chairs, historic town, tons of bars and restaurants, and amazing skiing. If I only could only do one Colorado ski trip it would be to Aspen, and it wouldn’t even be close (but not as a beginner per se).

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Snowmass Ski Area Stats

Skiable Area

3,362 acres

Runs

94 total

Difficulty Level

6% Beginner, 47% intermediate, 17% advanced, 30% expert

Base Elevation

8,104 feet

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5) Breckenridge

Why it’s good for beginners

Not as flat as Steamboat but the beginner and intermediate runs here are gentler than most. which is maybe why this is the 2nd most visited ski resort in the USA.

• 44% greens and blues

Non-Skiing Activities

The town of Breckenridge has over 100 restaurants, a half-dozen breweries (Broken Compass Brewing, my favorite) plus a distillery. Also, the Breckenridge Brewery is the 3rd oldest craft brewery in the state (now owned by AB InBev).

Breckenridge is both a historical town and a ski resort. There is no other ski town in Colorado that offers as much diversity of choices for eating, drinking, spas, shopping, live music, events, etc.

Located 1-hour and 45-minutes from downtown Denver. Breck is close to Keystone, Silverthorne, and Frisco, all about 20 minutes away. Even A-basin ski area is only 30-minutes, which makes Breck a great jumping-off point to much of Summit County.

Breckenridge at Dawn (Image Source: Flickr)

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Why I like Breckenridge

Founded in 1859, Breckenridge is a classic choice, IMO, not so much for the terrain but for the town. Breck is perfect if you are looking for more partying than skiing. I lived at Copper Mountain for 3 years and made the 25-minute drive at least 100 times, for great food and fun times.

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Breckenridge Stats

Skiable Area

2,908 acres

Runs

155 total

Difficulty Level

14% Beginner, 31% intermediate, 19% advanced, 36% expert

Base Elevation

9,600 feet

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6) Beaver Creek

Why it’s good for beginners

This is one of my favorites. Only 12 miles past Vail but with no lines or crowds. Nearly 2/3 of the mountain is greens and blues and is hands down the best glade skiing in the state.

• 62% greens and blues

Beaver Creek is top 5 for most expensive resorts in the USA. This keeps the crowds away and provides a great on-mountain experience as your epic fails will be in silence.

Non-Skiing Activities

This was the last major ski resort built in Colorado, opening in 1980-81. There are plenty of restaurants in the 3 villages that comprise the resort. This is more posh than classic.

Beaver Creek in the summer (Image Source: Flicker)

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Why I like Beaver Creek

As an advanced snowboarder, you can access backcountry-style terrain serviced by lifts, which means no hiking. This is very rare. Also, a fraction of the crowds of Breckenridge, Vail or Keystone. Even on holidays there are no lines.

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Beaver Creek Stats

Skiable Area

1,815 acres

Runs

149 total

Difficulty Level

19% Beginner, 43% intermediate, 38% advanced/expert

Base Elevation

8,100 feet

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7) Vail

Why it’s good for beginners

The largest ski resort in Colorado and the most visited in North America. Vail has something for everyone, including beginners.

• 47% beginner or indeterminate ski runs

Vail has over 5,000 skiable acres, meaning over 2,500 acres are either green or blue runs.

Non-Skiing Activities

There are over 100 restaurants in Vail and as the most visited ski resort in the USA, there is always something going on. Spas, mountain cabin restaurants, shops, and daily live music ensures you will always be entertained.

Why I like Vail

While locals in other ski towns will talk down upon Vail, I’ve never had a bad experience. High-speed lifts and 5,300+ acres make Vail seem less crowded than it really is. Lots of yummy dining and socializing options, all right next to the mountain make for great pictures and epic moments.

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Vail Stats

Skiable Area

5,317 acres

Runs

195 total

Difficulty Level

18% Beginner, 29% intermediate, 53% advanced/expert

Base Elevation

8,120 feet

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8) Monarch Ski Area

Monarch Pass (Image Source: Flickr)

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Why it’s good for beginners

Loveland and Monarch are the two most affordable ski areas in the state. This is perfect for beginners who want to develop their technique and skills before spending more money at the iconic resorts, i.e, Vail, Breck, Telluride, and Aspen.

• 42% is green and blue ski runs

Since Monarch is only 800 acres and the longest ski run is only 1-mile, you are never that far from the bathrooms or parking lot. Shorter runs are great for beginners as you will be at the bottom before your legs fatigue out.

Non-Skiing Activities

Monarch is a ski area and not a resort, meaning it’s only offers skiing/snowboarding and essential amenities.

However, both historical Salida and Buena Vista are nearby:  

• Salida is a 30-minute drive

• Buena Vista is 40 minute drive

This area is also loaded with hot springs, for example:  

• Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort is 40 minutes away

• Valley View Hot Springs is a 50-minute drive

• Cottonwood Hot Springs is a 50-minute drive

There are several breweries in this area, Elevation Beer Company, Soulcraft Brewery, Tres Litros Beer, and Eddyline Brewery being the most popular.

Arkansas River in Salida, Colorado (Image Source: Flickr)

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Why I like Monarch

Monarch averages 350-inches of snow, which is well above the Colorado average. Also, its close proximity to many amazing hot springs makes this a very pleasant trip.

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Monarch Ski Area Stats

Skiable Are

800 acres

Runs

63 total

Difficulty Level

14% Beginner, 28% intermediate, 27% advanced, 31% expert

Base Elevation

10,700 feet

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9) Keystone

This list wouldn’t be complete without Keystone, the 3rd largest ski resort in Colorado with over 3,000 skiable acres and 51% green or blue runs.

As an advanced skier or snowboarder, Keystone is very underrated. However, Keystone is marketed as the family resort by Vail Resorts (because it’s boring). As such, it gets way too many beginners and families, which makes for long lines and crowded runs on the green and blue trails.

Also, Keystone doesn’t have many dining, shopping, or nightlife options. Many people do day trips to Breckenridge or Silverthorne, both about 25 minutes away with no traffic and clear weather.

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Jesse is the Director of Pedal Chile and lives in Valdivia. Jesse has a Master of Science in Health and Human Performance and is an avid mountain biker, snowboarder. Hobbies: Reading & researching, tasting good beer, and hot springing.

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Is it worth giving up caffeine?

If you are asking this question, then chances are you’re currently consuming way too much caffeine, and not just too much, but way too much caffeine.

After quitting coffee and going 100% caffeine-free for 75 days, this is what I learned. This article outlines my observations and details the signs of being over-caffeinated.

Caffeine: How much is too much

How much caffeine is too much?

According to the United States Food and Drug Administration or FDA:

“For healthy adults, the FDA has cited 400 milligrams a day—that's about four or five cups of coffee—as an amount not generally associated with dangerous, negative effects. However, there is wide variation in both how sensitive people are to the effects of caffeine and how fast they metabolize it (break it down).” (bolding is mine)

It should be noted that a standard cup of coffee is made using ONE level tablespoon of ground coffee: 

• 100% Arabica coffee = 60mg caffeine/tablespoon

• 100% Robusta coffee = 120mg of caffeine/tablespoon

• Blended coffee beans = 60 - 120mg caffeine/tablespoon (Robusta is more bitter than Arabica. If the blend you are drinking is extra bitter then it’s extra caffeinated)

A heaped tablespoon of coffee grounds can hold up to 3 times the amount, turning 100mg of caffeine into 300mg just in a single cup. Also, keep in mind that coffee from cafe shops is generally higher in caffeine.

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Caffeine Content per 16oz

PedalChile.com (mg of caffeine per 16oz)

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Caffeine Toxicity: Caffeinism

While caffeine is known to boost your mood, too much creates a condition called “caffeinism” and is characterized by anxiety, panic attacks, and “nervousness.” Additionally, irritability, insomnia, diuresis, tremors, and tachycardia are all conditions caused by too much caffeine or “caffeinism.” 

Caffeinism, depending on the person, starts at 250 - 1000mg of caffeine. To put this in perspective, one large (venti) Starbucks coffee has 415mg of caffeine. If you suffer from anxiety, panic attacks, nervousness, or insomnia, reducing or eliminating caffeine is highly recommended. 

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View fullsize

Image Source: Van Dam, Rob M., et al. “Coffee, Caffeine, and Health.” New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 383, no. 4, 23 July 2020, pp. 369–378.

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Quitting alcohol becomes easy

The Stimulation - Sedation Cycle, coined by Dr. Elson Haas, is the cycle of using caffeine and sugar as energy stimulants during the day, and alcohol, marijuana, or other substances in the evening to relax.

Quitting caffeine breaks this Stimulation - Sedation Cycle. Over the 75 days of going caffeine-free, I also was alcohol-free. I had zero desire to drink any alcohol and as soon as I felt sleepy, I instantly fell asleep after crawling into bed.

Just because you consume caffeine doesn’t automatically mean you will be in the Caffeine/Alcohol Loop. However, for those of you that are looking to reduce the amount of alcohol or marijuana, reducing/quitting caffeine is quite possibly the most important step.

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Total Caffeine Intake, 35–49 Yr of Age

PedalChile.com (info sourced from: Van Dam et al.)

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Caffeine & Chronic Pain

Caffeine can cause chronic pain and enhance previously existing aches and pains, including back, neck, carpal tunnel, and shoulder pain. A 1997 paper from the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation explains:

Caffeine increases skeletal muscle twitch response by augmenting Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. It causes slow-twitch muscles (eg, postural low back muscles) to fatigue more quickly. Caffeine stimulates the release of catecholamines such as epinephrine. Catecholamines sensitize muscle nociceptors, increasing the perception of pain.Increasing plasma epinephrine levels exacerbates the already hyperactive dopaminergic state in patients with chronic pain; it also inhibits sleep, further stimulating the paleospinothalamic tract. Caffeine induces urinary loss of calcium, diminishing mineral content of bone and possibly increasing the rate of vertebral microfractures. A similar effect is caused by nicotine.”

For oversimplification, the researchers are saying that caffeine disrupts calcium flow in skeletal muscles. Muscle contractions or spasms are a sign that you are consuming too much caffeine. In this paper, back pain was worsened with only 392mg of caffeine per day. Which is less than the FDA’s recommendation and less caffeine than many large cups of coffee.

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Total Caffeine Intake, 15–19 Yr of Age

PedalChile.com (info sourced: Van Dam et al.)

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Headaches

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“The relationship of caffeine to headache is confusing, not because the data is inclusive, but because for half a century, a major cause of headache has been promoted as the cure. Caffeine is a common trigger for migraine and other types of headaches. ”

— From the book "Caffeine Blues"

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Caffeine and headaches are tricky because it is both the cause and cure. Regular consumption of 200mg a day, followed by a decrease in the amount of caffeine is enough to trigger a headache and the immediate cure is to drink another cup of coffee or tea.

It’s not uncommon for coffee drinkers to experience headaches and migraines on non-workdays, this is due to lower consumption of caffeine on these leisurely days, and the reduced caffeine triggers withdrawals and a subsequent headache.

Caffeine: Half-life

The half-life of a drug is the time it takes for the amount of a drug's active substance in your body to reduce by half.

The average half-life of caffeine in healthy individuals is about 6 hours. However, caffeine's elimination half-life may range between 1.5 and 10 hours.

Caffeine metabolism varies significantly from person to person as is evident with a half-life range of 1.5 to 10 hours. This means that for the average coffee drinker, consuming only one large Starbucks coffee at 9 am, there is still 104mg of caffeine in their system 12 hours later at 9 pm. For many, this prevents them from getting a great night of rest, resulting in drinking more coffee in the morning, leading to an endless cycle of increased caffeine and dependence.

Learn more if you want your bike to go faster

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Caffeine & Insomnia

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““Caffeine—which is not only prevalent in coffee, certain teas, and many energy drinks, but also foods such as dark chocolate and ice cream, as well as drugs such as weight-loss pills and pain relievers—is one of the most common culprits that keep people from falling asleep easily and sleeping soundly thereafter, typically masquerading as insomnia, an actual medical condition.””

— Matthew Walker, Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams

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I never had an issue with insomnia while being on the caffeine, with that being said, the largest benefit I experienced over the 75 days was in sleep quality. As soon as I felt sleepy at around 10 - 11 pm, I would crawl into bed and instantly fall asleep. Waking up like a clock at 7:15 am with zero dream-time disturbances, including bathroom breaks. My dreams were so vivid they brought me back to my childhood.

Studies show that even 60mg of caffeine first thing in the morning can cause sleep disturbances. Caffeine promotes wakefulness by antagonizing adenosine A1 and A2 receptors in the brain. Without caffeine, your adenosine receptors don’t get blocked, and the buildup of adenosine causes you to become sleepy and fall asleep within a natural rhythm.

Caffeine worsens sleep quality and the more you consume the worse you sleep. Just because you're not experiencing full-on insomnia doesn’t mean that caffeine isn’t negatively affecting you. Both slow-wave sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep are significantly reduced in caffeinated sleepers, which reduces overall sleep quality by about 20%.

Then, since you are extra sleepy from worsened sleep, you consume even more caffeine the following day. Creating an endless cycle of reduced sleep and more caffeine, finding yourself sleeping only 5 - 6 hours a night, and thinking that is a normal part of aging. This is not normal. This is called caffeinism.

quitting Caffeine

• Do you drink caffeinated beverages daily?

• Do you get deranged if having a caffeinated beverage isn’t possible?

• Do you consume over 500mg of caffeine a day?

• Do you get irritable and impatient if you haven’t had your morning caffeine dose? If yes, do you also get headaches?

• Does your current caffeine consumption no longer give you a boost, but just a feeling of normal?

• Do you drink more caffeinated beverages than you do pure water?

• Does your morning poo coincide with your morning cup of coffee?

The more yes answers you have, the longer it will take to recover from the withdrawal symptoms. Stephen Snehan Cherniske, the author of “Caffeine Blues,” says that it takes from 2 weeks to 3 months (or longer) to recover from caffeinism. I didn’t feel even close to “normal” until day 43 and even after 2.5 months I still had brain fog.

The Dose Makes The Poison

Every year more athletes are hospitalized from hyponatremia (too much water) than dehydration. The dosage makes the poison, whether that is water or caffeine. The reason that the FDA, USDA, and the Mayo Clinic recommend up to 400mg of caffeine per day is because no valid studies test higher amounts.

Coffee was discovered in Ethiopia in the 9th-century. There, it was customary to drink 3 cups of coffee of 3 ounces each. The total amount of caffeine was less than 150mg. In academia, before the 1980s, more than 200mg of caffeine was thought to be excessive.

Final Thought

In Michael Pollan’s latest book, Caffeine: How Caffeine Created the Modern World, the famed author quit all caffeine for 3-months. To truly understand the effects of caffeine, you need a fresh perspective. For this article, I also did the same, except I lasted 2.5 months.

On day 76, I prepared a double tablespoon cafe with 100% Arabica coffee, about 120mg worth of caffeine. This was the only caffeinated beverage for the day and it just blasted me off into space. It was a magical moment.

While I don’t anticipate quitting caffeine completely, the effects of caffeine are vastly underestimated. “Nervousness” was present at about 150mg. My back pain, which disappeared during the 75 days returned on a 500mg trial day.

Caffeine is a wonderful drug when used with a purpose. To drink coffee or tea every day reduces its power. No one thinks of coffee as potent and addictive, but daily consumption leads you on the path of dependence.

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Need help achieving your goals? Learn more about Performance Coach Jesse

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Jesse is Director of Pedal Chile and lives in Valdivia, Chile. Jesse has a Master of Science in Health & Human Performance and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Hobbies: MTBing, snowboarding, reading, taster of craft beers, and researcher.

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More articles from Pedal Chile

Sources & References

1. Alstadhaug, Karl B., and Anna P. Andreou. “Caffeine and Primary (Migraine) Headaches—Friend or Foe?” Frontiers in Neurology, vol. 10, 3 Dec. 2019, 10.3389/fneur.2019.01275.

2. BŘEZINOVÁ, VLASTA. “EFFECT of CAFFEINE on SLEEP: EEG STUDY in LATE MIDDLE AGE PEOPLE.” British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, vol. 1, no. 3, June 1974, pp. 203–208.

3. Chaudhary, N. S., Grandner, M. A., Jackson, N. J., & Chakravorty, S. (2016). Caffeine consumption, insomnia, and sleep duration: Results from a nationally representative sample. Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.), 32(11-12), 1193–1199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2016.04.005

4. Cherniske, Stephen Snehan. Caffeine Blues : Wake up to the Hidden Dangers of America’s #1 Drug. New York, Grand Central Publishing, 1998.

5. Espinosa Jovel, C.A., and F.E. Sobrino Mejía. “Cafeína Y Cefalea: Consideraciones Especiales.” Neurología, vol. 32, no. 6, July 2017, pp. 394–398, 10.1016/j.nrl.2014.12.016.

6. FDA. “Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2019, www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/spilling-beans-how-much-caffeine-too-much.

7. Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Military Nutrition Research. Caffeine for the Sustainment of Mental Task Performance: Formulations for Military Operations. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2001. 2.

8. McPartland, John M., and Julie A. Mitchell. “Caffeine and Chronic Back Pain.” Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, vol. 78, no. 1, Jan. 1997, pp. 61–63, 10.1016/s0003-9993(97)90011-3.

9. Persad, Leeana Aarthi Bagwath. “Energy Drinks and the Neurophysiological Impact of Caffeine.” Frontiers in Neuroscience, vol. 5, 2011, 10.3389/fnins.2011.00116.

10. ‌Reissig, C. J., Strain, E. C., & Griffiths, R. R. (2009). Caffeinated energy drinks--a growing problem. Drug and alcohol dependence, 99(1-3), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2008.08.001

11. Rezvani, A. H., Sexton, H. G., Johnson, J., Wells, C., Gordon, K., & Levin, E. D. (2013). Effects of caffeine on alcohol consumption and nicotine self-administration in rats. Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research, 37(9), 1609–1617. https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.12127

12. Van Dam, Rob M., et al. “Coffee, Caffeine, and Health.” New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 383, no. 4, 23 July 2020, pp. 369–378, 10.1056/nejmra1816604.

13. Walker, Matthew P. Why We Sleep : Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams. New York, Ny, Scribner, An Imprint Of Simon & Schuster, Inc, 2018.

Should I Hire a Weight Loss Coach

Have you tried the keto diet? Atkins? Exercise? Going low carb? Eating 6 small meals a day? Or whatever else the “health gurus” recommend and still haven’t lost the extra weight?

If this describes you, then this article is for you.

Marketing Pseudoscience

At a minimum, 90% of what you see and hear in both the mainstream and alternative media, is marketing wrapped up in pseudoscience, all designed to get you to buy a product or service.

“Functional foods,” “whole grain,” “natural,” “superfoods,” and “organic” have been shoved down our throats as “healthy,” yet people continue to get fatter and sicker.

The marketing and propaganda machine has interwoven “science” with finance for so many years, that even many experts no longer can delineate between pseudoscience and fact.

A knowledgeable health coach can cut through the marketing lies and provide you with a blueprint that is both actionable and healthful.

Creating Healthy Habits

Willpower is temporary and conscious whereas habits are subconscious and routine. Bad habits are hard to break because they are subconscious. A gifted health/weight loss coach doesn’t hold you accountable because accountability is rooted in failed willpower. Erasing bad habits is only possible through the overriding of subconscious activity through the formation of stronger habits, which hopefully will be healthier.

Sustained weight loss and the maintenance of a healthy weight are easy and automatic once your brain is rewired to subconsciously make the healthy choice.

Fitness Trackers

In the 1960s, Dr. Yoshiro Hatano invented the pedometer. In Japan, the pedometer was called a manpo-kei, which means “10,000-step meter.” Dr. Yoshiro is noted for saying that the 10k steps were “ideal for marketing” the Manpo-Kei or pedometer. 

Today, many people track their activity with various fitness/health apps, yet it has done nothing for weight loss or improved health. Big tech companies love these “wearables” as it gives them more personal data to mine and sell, as well as additional products to sell.

A 2016 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that over two years, those who didn’t wear fitness trackers lost nearly twice as much weight as those who did.

A knowledgeable weight loss coach knows that it’s human nature to gamify fitness instead of creating healthy habits. 

Motivation

Being highly motivated to lose weight is great, however, having the wrong kind of motivation is problematic. According to the Harvard School of Public Health:

“Research has shown that a person’s chance of becoming obese increases by 57% if a close friend is obese, 40% if a sibling is obese, and 37% if a spouse is obese.”

Being surround by overweight friends and family makes losing weight more challenging. Having a different voice and sounding board to focus your motivation in positive directions is paramount to weight loss success.

Miss-Information

If you think that to lose weight that you need to:

• Quit drinking

• Eat more fruits and vegetables

• Exercise more

• Eat less meat

• Have zero fun

• A calorie is a calorie

• Energy in equals energy out

While these are all commonly accepted, they don’t really mean much nor lead to weight loss.

Fad Diets

Dieting is akin to a get rich quick scheme…neither work and both leave you worse off than before. If you have tried keto, Atkins, paleo, or veganism, for example, then you know what I mean.

Many people are rather religious in their failed diets. I have consulted with many severely obese individuals who insist on the merits of keto, yet are well over 100lbs overweight. Do these people believe keto helps them lose weight or do they like the fact that they can eat all the bacon, cheeses, sausages, and keto brownies they desire?

There are hundreds of diets that make you fatter and sicker, except for the creator who is lining their bank account from your desperate dollars

Probiotics

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“This meta-analysis indicated that probiotics have limited efficacy in terms of decreasing body weight and BMI and were not effective for weight loss.”

— Nutrition Research

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We got prebiotics, probiotics, microbial diversity, and intestinal microbiota which are all “essential” to “gut health” and weight loss. However, the probiotic panacea is nothing more than marketing.  

What do probiotics even mean? Most health “gurus” have no clue. A probiotic is defined as:

“Probiotics are live microorganisms, which when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.”

This definition is of course rather vague and means nothing. 

A 2009 study from Food Research International said it best:

“Ice-creams are food products showing great potential for use as vehicles for probiotic cultures, with the advantage of being foods consumed by all age groups.”

Clearly, we live in the “Information Age” when “science” says ice cream is a great vehicle for probiotics (I hope you detected the sarcasm).

Final Thought

Back to the original question. Should I hire a weight loss coach?

A knowledgeable weight loss coach understands the marketing machine of the 100-billion dollar a year weight loss business and is able to provide you with insights, advice, tips, secrets, and an actionable plan to success.

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Jesse is the Director of Pedal Chile and lives in Valdivia, Chile, and Puerto Rico. Jesse has a Master of Science in Health & Human Performance and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Hobbies: Mountain biking, bicycle commuting, snowboarding, reading, weight-lifting, taster of craft beers, and researcher.

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Contact Jesse with any questions

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More articles from Pedal Chile

Sources and References

1. Cruz, A. G., Antunes, A. E. C., Sousa, A. L. O. P., Faria, J. A. F., & Saad, S. M. I. (2009). Ice-cream as a probiotic food carrier. Food Research International, 42(9), 1233–1239.

2. Harvard School of Public Health. “Friends, Family Can Influence Your Weight—for Good or Bad.” News, 8 Aug. 2014, www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/friends-and-family-can-influence-your-weight/.

3. Jakicic, J.M., Davis, K.K., Rogers, R.J., King, W.C., Marcus, M.D., Helsel, D., Rickman, A.D., Wahed, A.S. and Belle, S.H. (2016). Effect of Wearable Technology Combined With a Lifestyle Intervention on Long-term Weight Loss. JAMA, [online] 316(11), p.1161.

4. Park, Sunmin, and Ji-Hyun Bae. “Probiotics for Weight Loss: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Nutrition Research, vol. 35, no. 7, July 2015, pp. 566–575.

Can you ride ebikes in national parks

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Can you ride eBikes in National Parks?

• As of November 2nd, 2020, the National Park Service (NPS) authorized the use of electric bicycles that don’t exceed 750-watts throughout the United States National Park Service system on all roads and trails where traditional bicycles are also allowed.

  • Wilderness and backcountry areas PROHIBIT the use of ALL bicycles, including e-bikes.

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Speed Limit Sign along Carriage Road in Acadia National Park

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E-bikes in U.S. National Parks & Regulations

In 2020, regulations were brought in by the U.S. National Park Service that permitted the use of electric bicycles – or ‘e-bikes’ – in all National Parks for the very first time.

Since electric bikes have grown in popularity over the last few years, with sales particularly skyrocketing during the COVID-19 pandemic, calls to allow for their use in National Parks have increased as well. The new regulations were designed to enhance the number of fun and recreational opportunities, allowing visitors to travel farther along bike trails than is permitted by pedal bikes, and to potentially reduce both the number of car trips made within National Parks and the space required for parking areas.

However, the legislation comes with some restrictions; ones which not only restrict the use of e-bikes to certain areas within National Parks but also define which specific types can be ridden.

Which Areas of a National Park Allow E-Bikes?

National Parks consist of many different road and trail types, as well as vast wilderness and back-country areas. Different road and trail types have different rules regarding whether e-bikes are permitted or not, and how they can be ridden. These rules are all listed below.

Paved Roads & Dirt Tracks

The use of electric bicycles is authorized on any National Park road that is already used by motorized vehicles that are not owned by the park itself. This includes paved park roads that are used by a wide range of motor vehicles, and dirt tracks that are designated for off-road vehicle use. Roads also permit people to use e-bike motors for as long as they can without having to pedal them, which is a bonus since some types of e-bikes can be propelled entirely by the motor, albeit for a limited time.

Traditional Biking Trails & Administrative Roads

E-bikes can be used on all National Park trails which are already used by traditional bicycles, including biking trails and administrative roads (ones that are only used by National Park-owned vehicles).

However, when using any of these trails/roads, it is prohibited to move an e-bike exclusively by its motor for an extended period of time. In other words, the operator must ensure that they keep pedaling when using them, as they are also used by traditional bikes. This compliments the new regulations, which are intended to allow the public to use e-bikes in a similar way to traditional bicycles, rather than as electric scooters (or even motorbikes), which are solely motorized vehicles.

Prohibited areas & E-bikes

Hiking Trails

As is the case with traditional bicycles, large areas within National Parks prohibit the use of eBikes, and hiking trails are one of them. Since hiking trails are designed to be used by walkers, often turning sharp corners and encountering rough terrain, they are not safe enough to be used by bikes of any kind.

The risk of potential collisions is significantly higher than on bicycle trails, meaning that there are large health and safety concerns with riding an e-bike on a hiking trail.

Also, hiking trails tend to go through areas that are more environmentally sensitive than a bicycle trail is. If you are caught riding an e-bike on hiking trails, you are subject to a fine.

Wilderness & Backcountry Areas

Wilderness and backcountry areas also prohibit the use of e-bikes – this is already the case with traditional pedal bikes. These parts often have a great amount of environmental importance – they form sensitive and diverse wildlife, plant, and tree habitats, and are often used as conservation areas that require environmental management and protection.

They are also used by walkers and tent campers, who enjoy the tranquility that these landscapes provide. Using a motorized vehicle in a wilderness area poses a threat to its environment, particularly by disrupting the tranquility of the area. As a result, e-bikes and traditional bikes are banned – by Federal statute – from all backcountry and wilderness areas, unless if you are using a trail that permits e-bikes that run through one.

This includes possessing a bicycle, e-bike, or any other form of motorized transport; in other words, it does not matter whether you are riding an e-bike or not, it is still against Federal law. Like with hiking trails, using an e-bike in wilderness areas is subject to a large fine, so make sure that you stay within permitted areas when riding an e-bike.

Classes of E-Bikes & regulations

Only certain types of e-bikes are allowed in National Parks according to the 2020 regulations.

They define an electronic bicycle as being a cycle that has an electric motor not exceeding 750 Watts. Although many e-bikes do not have a motor that is this powerful, some do exceed this and are therefore exempt from all National Parks.

The regulations also differentiate between different electronic bikes, by using a three-tier class system that groups e-bikes according to their top speed and whether throttle control is used.

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The 3-Tier Class System of eBikes

Class 1 eBikes

Class 1 eBikes reach speeds up to 20 mph, but the user must pedal to engage the motor.

Class 2 eBikes

Class 2 e-bikes reach similar speeds, but have an additional hand throttle control, allowing them to be ridden like motorbikes.

Class 3 eBikes

Class 3 e-bikes are similar to Class 2 e-bikes but can be ridden up to 28 mph.

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The three-tier classes are important to note as National Park superintendents have the right to restrict certain e-bike classes from using specific roads or trails.

For example, a superintendent may decide that a specific trail can only be used by Class 1 e-bikes, or exclusively by Classes 1 and 2. This is to ensure that visitors similarly ride e-bikes to traditional bicycles, and pedal bikes rarely reach speeds exceeding 20mph.

In addition, the 2020 regulations allow a superintendent to prevent e-bikes from using any specific trail, even if traditional bikes are allowed on it. This ensures that public health and safety are maintained, and it is reasonable that the busier and more popular a trail is, the tougher the class restrictions will be.

Likely, class restrictions will not be applied to paved roads and dirt tracks that are open to public use, as these are already used by fast-traveling motor vehicles.

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Valentina is a guide for Pedal Chile and is our geology expert. Valentina has been in love with volcanoes ever since she first saw Villarrica glowing in her native country of Chile. Valentina was born and raised in La Patagonia, which probably explains her affinity for adventuring. When Valentina isn’t crushing some poor dude’s soul, you can find her shredding down Rucapillán.

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More articles from Pedal Chile

References & Sources

1. “General Provisions; Electric Bicycles.” Federal Register, 2 Nov. 2020, www.federalregister.gov/d/2020-22129.

2. ‌National Park Service. “Electric Bicycles (E-Bikes) in National Parks - Biking (U.S. National Park Service).” Www.nps.gov, www.nps.gov/subjects/biking/e-bikes.htm.

3. Toll, Micah. “US National Parks Services Updates Regs, Allow E-Bikes up to 750W (with Exceptions).” Electrek, 3 Oct. 2020.

Best Online Weight Loss Coach

Weight loss coaching can be defined as helping clients gain the knowledge, skills, tools, and confidence to become active participants in their fat loss so that they can reach their own weight loss goals, prevent disease, promote health, and improve quality of life.

Today, with all the myths, misinformation, and disinformation that surround fat loss, muscle gain, fitness, nutrition, and overall health, one needs to be a health guru, without outside influences and sponsorships, to understand all the fabricated complexities and confusion.

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“Health and wellness coaching (HWC) for lifestyle behavior change is emerging as a potentially effective tool to prevent and treat chronic disease.”

— From the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine

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Best Online Weight Loss Coach

Jesse Wright has a Master of Science in Health & Human Performance, a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, and has personally tested out every diet, exercise program, and has read over 200 fitness/nutrition books, so you don’t have to. Jesse has successfully helped thousands of people, just like you, to achieve their dreams, without killing themselves at the gym or having to give up their favorite foods.

As a powerlifter, bodybuilder, trail runner, personal trainer, snowboarder, mtb/cyclist, and professional marketer, Jesse will cut through the bullshit and guide you on the differences between what is healthy and what is crap, wrapped up in pseudo-science and shoved down your throats by corporate interests.

The ability to critically think while not chasing media-driven fads and propaganda is vital for your health, both physically and emotionally. Very few people understand how to obtain optimal health and wellness.

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(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

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change your habits, change your life

Over 40% of everyday behavior is repeated in the form of habits, which shape our current existence and create our future. If you are looking to lose weight and improve your life, then the first step is changing your habits. Change your habits, change your life.

Many people confuse habits with willpower. Once habits are formed, they become encoded right into the structure of your brain and cannot be easily erased. The only way to replace old habits is to rewire your brain with stronger habits, created through a new routine that.

7 healthy habits

Seven healthy habits, commonly referred to as the “Alameda 7,” from a longitudinal study (20 year period) in Alameda County, California, were shown to associate 7 key habits with physical health and longevity:

1. No smoking

2. Less than 5 alcoholic drinks

3. 7 - 8 hours of sleep a night

4. Regular exercise

5. Maintaining a desirable weight relative to height

6. Avoiding snacks

7. Eating breakfast regularly

While all 7 of these are commonsense, they are all general principles without specific guidance, which don’t provide much useful insight or actionable steps. This is where Jesse comes in, as he can provide a specific plan, that has bite-sized action-steps, that become healthy habits. 

Superfood or fad??

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Common weight loss myths

There are thousands of weight loss myths out there, but Jesse outlined a few key ones that are holding you back. 

1. The Keto diet - The ketogenic diet, which is low carb (20 to 50 grams), which results in 1 - 10+ pounds of weight loss during the first week. This is because the glycogen that is stored in your body is bound with water (3 to 1 ratio). When you burn through these stored carbs without replacing them, your body will excrete out this excess water, resulting in weight loss, albeit entirely from water.

2. You Just need to exercise more - 85 - 90% of fat loss is related to nutrition. You can’t out-exercise a bad diet, meaning, if you eat like crap, you can run a marathon every day and still not be slim and fit.

3. You need superfoods for optimal health and weight loss- There is no such thing as a “superfood.” The acai berry, for example, has been marketed with an exotic backstory that claims to “unlock the energy of the Amazon.” In 2013, the Federal Trade Commission charged multiple eCommerce stores with penalities of nearly 10 million USD, due to false marketing about acai’s weight loss benefits.

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Contact Jesse Wright for a free consultation

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Sources & References

1. DaisyFig. “English: The Eight Dimensions of Wellness.” Wikimedia Commons, 5 June 2017, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eight_Dimensions_of_Wellness.png.

2. Federal Trade Commission. “FTC Permanently Stops Fake News Website Operator That Allegedly Deceived Consumers about Acai Berry Weight-Loss Products.” Federal Trade Commission, 7 Feb. 2013, www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2013/02/ftc-permanently-stops-fake-news-website-operator-allegedly. ‌

3. Gordon, N. F., Salmon, R. D., Wright, B. S., Faircloth, G. C., Reid, K. S., & Gordon, T. L. (2016). Clinical Effectiveness of Lifestyle Health Coaching: Case Study of an Evidence-Based Program. American journal of lifestyle medicine, 11(2), 153–166. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827615592351

4. Kennel J. (2018). Health and Wellness Coaching Improves Weight and Nutrition Behaviors. American journal of lifestyle medicine, 12(6), 448–450. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827618792846

5. Schoenborn C. A. (1986). Health habits of U.S. adults, 1985: the "Alameda 7" revisited. Public health reports (Washington, D.C. : 1974), 101(6), 571–580.

6. Stoewen D. L. (2017). Dimensions of wellness: Change your habits, change your life. The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne, 58(8), 861–862.

Is Puerto Rico Part of Latin America

The term “Latin America” means different things to different people. “Americans” understanding of this term is based mostly on stereotypes rather than facts. Many “Americans” imagine some poor “3rd World” improvised nation where the locals take siestas while wearing some oversized brimmed hat.

Even many analysts and “experts” erroneously define Latin America as encompassing all the countries south of the United States, including the English, French, and Dutch-speaking countries, plus the U.S. commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

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Map of the traditional 20 countries of Latin America

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Is Puerto Rico part of Latin America?

Puerto Rico is excluded from Latin America as it has never been independent (commonwealth of USA) and doesn’t share the key characteristics, such as post-independence timing, geopolitics, or liberated bureaucratic organization.

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Traditional Latin America

Historically, Latin America was limited to 20 countries (see the above map):

• The 10 Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries of South America

  • Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela

• The 6 Spanish speaking countries of Central America (Belize speaks English)

  • Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Nicaragua

• Mexico

• Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean region

Shared History: Latin America

Geographers and geopolitical historians define Latin America as a group of nations that share 5 core traits:

• Geographical

• Timing of post-independence

• Religion

• Linguistic

• Cultural

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downtown Old San Juan - Puerto Rico

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Geographical: Puerto Rico & Latin America

While the vast majority of Central and South America is considered to be part of Latin America - minus the three “Guianas” and Belize. The Caribbean region has traditionally not been associated with Latin America - minus Cuba and the island of Hispaniola (both the Dominican Republic and Haiti share this island).

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Map of the Caribbean

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The Caribbean has over 700 islands, 26 of which are independent nations - 30 are territories, including sovereign states, overseas departments, and dependencies - with Puerto Rico being one of these 30.

This region, which includes famous tropical islands, such as Aruba, the Bahamas, Barbados, the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Grenada, Guadeloupe, and Montserrat has never been associated with Latin America. Geographically speaking, Puerto Rico is near the Dominican Republic, however, the Caribbean as a whole is not typically associated with Latin America.

Latin America & timing of post-independence

The standard 20 countries of Latin America all gained their independence within decades of each other:

• 17 of these 20 countries gained their independence within 15 years of each other (Panama is more complex, but fits this timeline).

• Haiti was the first to gain independence, only 6 years before the 15 year run of independence.

• Puerto Rico, as of 2021, is still a U.S. territory and is NOT an independent nation.

  • Furthermore, Puerto Ricans, since 1917, have United State citizenship and are free to work and live on the mainland or travel to/from without restriction.

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Traditional Latin America & Year of Independence

(from France)

1804

Haiti

(from France)

(all from Spain)

1810

Chile, Colombia, Mexico

(all from Spain)

(from Spain )

1811

Venezuela & Paraguay

(from Spain )

(from Spain)

1816

Argentina

(from Spain)

(all from Spain)

1821

Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru

(all from Spain)

(from Spain & Portugal)

1822

Ecuador & Brazil

(from Spain & Portugal)

(from Spain & Brazil)

1825

Bolivia & Uruguay

(from Spain & Brazil)

(from Haiti)

1844

Dominican Republic

(from Haiti)

(from Spain: 10 December 1898; administered by the US from 1898 to 1902)

Cuba

1902

(from Spain: 10 December 1898; administered by the US from 1898 to 1902)

(from Colombia; became independent from Spain in 1821)

1903

Panama

(from Colombia; became independent from Spain in 1821)

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Capital building in San Juan - Puerto Rico

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Puerto Rico & Oldest Colony

The title of the oldest colony in the world belongs to Puerto Rico. Christoper Columbus became the first European to land in PR in 1493, remaining under Spanish rule until becoming an unincorporated territory of the United States in 1898.

Historically, Puerto Rico was never considered part of Latin America because it was and remains to this day as part of the United States and is not an independent nation. Puerto Ricans by birth is granted U.S. citizenship and can freely travel and work in any of the 50 states.

The 20 original countries that makeup Latin America are all independent nations, therefore excluding Puerto Rico from the shared experiences of self-government.

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Linguistic: Puerto Rico & Latin America

Since Puerto Rico was colonized by Spain in 1493, the Arawakan language of the native Taínos was replaced by Spanish. Even though Puerto Rico wasn’t to become a U.S. territory until 1898, Puerto Rico was trading and conducting business with the U.S. mainland since the 17th century.

In 1902, the Official Languages Act was instituted, which declared that in all governmental departments, courts, and public offices, English was to be regarded as co-official language along with Spanish.

Puerto Rico has two official languages:

• English

• Spanish

While Spanish is the majority language on the island, English is spoken as a second language by over 50% of the island's residents and is the dominant language in the professional workplace.

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Valentina is a guide for Pedal Chile and is our resident badass. Valentina was born and raised in La Patagonia, which probably explains her affinity for adventuring. When Valentina isn’t crushing some poor dude’s soul, you can find her shredding down Rucapillán. Favorite season: Austral Summer

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Related article from Pedal Chile

• Why is Latin America called Latina America

• Is Puerto Rico part of the USA?



Sources & References

1. Pousada, Alicia & Alicia,. (1999). The singularly strange story of the English language in Puerto Rico. Milenio. vol. 3. pp.33-61.

2. Suárez, Sandra L. “Does English Rule? Language Instruction and Economic Strategies in Singapore, Ireland, and Puerto Rico.” Comparative Politics, vol. 37, no. 4, 1 July 2005, p. 459, 10.2307/20072904.

Most Humid Place in the World

Both relative humidity and dew point are widely used indicators of the amount of moisture in the air.

• Relative Humidity: The ratio of how much moisture the air is holding to how much moisture it could hold at a given temperature and indicated by a percentage.

• Dew Point Temperature: The highest possible temperature that water vapor can condense to form water droplets known as dew.

So what’s the difference between dew point and relative humidity?

The main difference is that relative humidity is dependent on temperature and is relative to that specific temp. The dew point is the temperature at which the air can no longer "hold" all of the water vapor, so some of the water vapor condenses into liquid water, usually in the form as fog, precipitation or dew.

Dew point: An accurate measurement of "humidity"

Relatively humidity is often misleading because warmer air can hold more moisture than cold air. For every 11°F increase in temperature, air’s ability to hold water doubles. For example, at 37°F with 100% relative humidity, the same exact amount of moisture in the air would equate to 20% relative humidity at 86°F. As for a dew point example:

• 40°F outside with a dew point temperature of 40°F = 100% relative humidity

• 75°F outside with a dew point temperature of 60°F = 60% relative humidity

Because dew point is a more reliable indicator of humidity, this articles uses it to answer three questions about humid places around the world:

1. What is the most humid city in the world?

2. What is the most humid country on Earth?

3. What’s the most humid place?

(Image Source: Cizauskas)

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1) Most Humid City in the World

Pearl-Qatar - an artificial island in Qatar

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There are several contenders for the most humid city in the world, based on which city across the globe has the highest dewpoint, and records incredibly high dewpoints all year round. Cities located almost directly on the Equator, have a constant wet season and intense heat, and are close to a large stretch of warm water are most likely contenders.

These include many cities in tropical Equatorial climates, such as:

• Kuala Lumpur

• Singapore

• Jakarta

• Manaus

However, other cities have recorded higher dew points, particularly around the Gulf of Aden and Persian Gulf regions, but only during the summer months.

Kuala Lumpur

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Kuala Lumpur and Singapore record incredibly high dewpoints across the entire year. Average maximum dew points in Kuala Lumpur reach an impressive high of 83.3°F (28.5°C) during April, only falling to 80.2°F (26.8°C) during August.

However, Singapore is slightly more humid, with maximum average dewpoints of 83.8°F (28.8°C) recorded in April, and 81.9°F (27.7°C) recorded in August. This is not surprising as Kuala Lumpur and Singapore are located around 340 km (210 miles) and 140 km (90 miles) north of the Equator respectively, with an overhead Sun providing intense heat all year round. Both cities are also located close to a large body of water – Singapore borders the large Singapore Strait, whereas the centre of Kuala Lumpur is located around 40 km (25 miles) to the west of the Melacca Strait. The strong sunlight evaporates water from the warm surrounding seas, which in turn increases the moisture content of the air.

However, Manaus in Brazil also records comparatively high dewpoint values throughout the year. With a latitude of 3°S, and its location on the Amazon River in the middle of the Amazon Rainforest, it is no surprise that the average maximum dewpoint fluctuates between 81.3°F (27.4°C) in July and 83.7°F (28.7°C) in October.

Some cities around the world have seen higher dew point values than those already presented, but only during certain times of the year. Bangkok sees higher average maxima – of 85.3°F (29.6°C) in April and 83.7°F (28.7°C) in September, but dewpoints fall to below 78.8°F (26°C) during December and January.

Other high values are recorded seasonally, particularly around the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Persian Gulf regions. Despite being on the edge of a hyper-arid desert region, large evaporation rates and high sea surface temperatures combine to produce incredibly high humidity along the coastal regions between May and October.

Jakarta, the capital of the Republic of Indonesia

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The highest dewpoint recorded on Earth is in the city of Dhahran in Saudi Arabia, which experienced a dewpoint of 95°F (35°C) in 2003 – however, dewpoints above 90°F (32°C) are rare, and only occur in these regions during the summer months. For example, the city of Muscat is situated in Oman and overlooks the Persian Gulf.

Average maximum dewpoints above 84°F (29°C) in July and August regularly occur in Muscat, but these fall below 68°F (20°C) during December, January and February. Similar seasonal variations occur across the entire region.

(Hosseinzadeh Talaee et al.)

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2) Most Humid Country in the World

Palembang, Indonesia

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Identifying the most humid country in the world depends on numerous factors. Many countries have large differences in terrain, elevation, and climate.

Although the highest dewpoints in the world have been recorded on land bordering the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Aden, and the Red Sea, these are only limited to the coastal regions of the countries which border those seas.

• For example, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Yemen record dewpoints in excess of 86°F (30°C) along their coastal regions, but their large desert interiors located far from the surrounding seas record comparatively low dewpoint values.

This piece examines countries that have rather high dewpoints recorded across most of their terrain, and maintain the values during much (if not all) of the year.

The small country of Qatar is a strong contender for being the most humid country in the world. Despite its desert landscape and hyper-arid climate, it is a narrow peninsula located on the western side of the Persian Gulf, meaning that it is surrounded by water on its eastern, northern and western sides. Its maximum width of 90 km (55 miles) across means that much of the country is close to water. Its capital city, Doha, records dewpoints exceeding 81°F (27°C) between July and October peaking at 86°F (30°C) in September. However, there is a wide seasonal difference, with dewpoint values below 68°F (20°C) between December and March, meaning that the incredibly humid summer months are cancelled out by the winter months, which are significantly less humid.

Other contenders are likely to be an island, archipelago or coast-bordering nation that is close to the Equator, and has much of its terrain at or near sea level. Although many Equatorial countries that include large rainforests are rather humid, these often include many large upland areas that are cooler due to the lapse rate, making these countries less humid overall than other nations.

Singapore is both a city and a small country in its own right – since its average maximum dewpoint fluctuates between 81 - 84°F (27.7 - 28.895°C) throughout the year, it would be fair to declare this as the world’s most humid country overall.

But what about countries with a larger land mass? Both Malaysia and Indonesia have large lowland areas, despite the presence of large mountain ranges. Indonesia in particular straddles both sides of the Equator, and is made up of a vast archipelago that includes many islands surrounded by warm seas that often top 86°F (30°C). Inland areas of Indonesia also record high humidity levels, such as the city of Palembang around 75 km (45 miles) from the nearest sea. Here, dewpoint levels between 82 - 84°F (28°C and 29°C) are recorded throughout the year – this incredible humidity is felt across much of Indonesia all year round.

3) World’s most humid place

Persian Gulf of Qatar

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Although the coastal area alongside the Persian Gulf records incredibly high dewpoints, the coast of Eritrea along the Red Sea has the highest dewpoint in the world. This is due to a combination of incredibly high levels of strong and uninterrupted sunshine, as well as high water temperatures in the southern section of the Red Sea, which often exceed 90°F (32°C) during the hot months. For example, average maximum water temperatures alongside the port town of Assab in Eritrea peak above 86°F (30°C) between June and October. These factors produce incredibly high evaporation rates along the coastline, resulting in incredibly humid air along the Eritrean coast.

The air is moister along the south-western coast of the Red Sea than it is along the Persian Gulf. Like much of Arabia, the Persian Gulf is surrounded by a hyper-arid desert landscape, which limits the levels of humidity in the area to a small degree. However, although the terrain along the south-western side of the Red Sea is also rather dry, it is not as hyper-arid as the Middle East. For example, in Assab, at least one rainfall day is recorded per month. The wettest month is August, which sees an average of 29 millimetres of rain falling in the town, and around 80 millimetres of rainfall across an entire year.

The Blue Nile Falls is a waterfall on the Blue Nile river in Ethiopia. It is known as Tis Abay in Amharic, meaning "great smoke"

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The country of Ethiopia lies to the south of Eritrea – it is significantly less arid than the coastal regions around the Persian Gulf. This is in part due to its high altitude, with its large Ethiopian Highlands mountain range promoting a rather temperate climate, but also in part due to its latitude – it is far enough south to receive an annual monsoon season. The Ethiopian Highlands receive enough rain to be rather vegetated. The position of areas with relatively high rainfall rates (and therefore lower aridity) located significantly closer to the Eritrean coast means that the air will be more humid along the Red Sea than it will around the Persian Gulf.  

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 Valentina is a guide for Pedal Chile and is our resident badass. Valentina was born and raised in La Patagonia, which probably explains her affinity for adventuring. When Valentina isn’t crushing some poor dude’s soul, you can find her shredding down Rucapillán. Favorite season: Austral Summer

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More articles from Pedal Chile

Sources & References

1. Cizauskas, Thomas. “Dew Point.” Flickr, 9 Aug. 2017, www.flickr.com/photos/cizauskas/36373448982.

2. Hosseinzadeh Talaee, P., et al. “Observed Changes in Relative Humidity and Dew Point Temperature in Coastal Regions of Iran.” Theoretical and Applied Climatology, vol. 110, no. 3, 29 Mar. 2012, pp. 385–393, 10.1007/s00704-012-0630-1.

3. Raymond, Colin, et al. “The Emergence of Heat and Humidity Too Severe for Human Tolerance.” Science Advances, vol. 6, no. 19, May 2020, p. eaaw1838, 10.1126/sciadv.aaw1838.

4. ‌US Department of Commerce, NOAA, National Weather Service. “Dew Point vs Humidity.” Weather.gov, 2019.

5. Weather Atlas. “Āssab, Eritrea - Detailed Climate Information and Monthly Weather Forecast.” Weather Atlas, www.weather-atlas.com/en/eritrea/assab-climate. ‌

Is Puerto Rico More Humid than Florida?

Cueva Ventana, or "window cave," in Arecibo, Puerto Rico

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Is Puerto Rico More Humid than Florida?

Florida, surrounded by the warm Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean is the most humid state in the USA, according to their average dew point temperature. However, Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory in the tropical Caribbean is even more humid than Florida.

• Key West City, the most humid city on mainland USA has an average relative humidity of 75.8%.

• San Juan, the capital city of Puerto Rico has an average relative humidity of 78.3% which is 3.2% muggier than Key West, Florida.

  • (Many cities in Puerto Rico are more humid than San Juan).

Relative Humidty Compairson

PedalChile.Com

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Puerto Rico & Humidity

Puerto Rico varies slightly in its levels of humidity due to two factors – the time of year and differences in altitude. Although different sources disagree slightly on the exact humidity percentage, they all agree that the average daily humidity is between 64 and 80%.

For example, the daily relative humidity at San Juan is around 75%, although this figure varies between 71% in the month of March, and 78% in October. In addition, the city of Ponce, located on the island’s south coast, receives its highest relative humidity of 71% in November, which drops to 64% in March.

The capital city of Puerto Rico - San Juan

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Therefore, although high relative humidity is a constant occurrence in Puerto Rico, it varies slightly, with lower levels in February, March, and April. As expected, the lower the temperatures are, the less intense the humidity is. Therefore, in areas with a higher elevation, the humidity feels marginally less – however, 70% humidity in around 80°F (27°C) still feels rather warm.

Florida & Humidity

A “storm” in Key West, Florida

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The USA state of Florida is also well-known for its oppressive levels of humidity, which can reach large heights. Due to its location within a subtropical climate zone, as well as Florida, being surrounded by large areas of warm seawater on its eastern, southern, and western sides, different parts of the state experience a difference in the seasonal variation of its climate.

Northern Florida & Seasonal Variations

Northern Florida receives marked seasonal variations in its weather, with four main seasons occurring. These include a mild and short winter, and a rather long and hot summer which extends from May to October.

Humidity levels in this region look rather similar to that of San Juan’s – for example, in the city of Jacksonville, the relative humidity hovers between 69 and 76%, peaking at around the mid-70s from July to September, and falling to its lowest value during the spring months.

However, as is the case throughout much of northern Florida, annual temperature variations are relatively large in Jacksonville – maxima during the winter months are typically below 70°F (21°C), but typically reach 90°F (32°C) in June, July, and August.

Therefore, although humidity levels are near-constant, it is only uncomfortably noticeable during the summer and early fall months, whereas during winter and the early spring, it is not an issue.

Aerial view of Miami, Florida

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Southern Florida & Humidity

Similar levels of humidity are found throughout much of Florida. The city of Miami is located on the state’s south-eastern coast – here, relative humidity levels are generally rather high, peaking at 75% in December, and dropping to 70% in March.

However, the seasonal temperature variation is more limited in southern Florida than it is in northern areas of the state, with hot and humid weather a more common occurrence the further south one travels. In Miami, maximum temperatures typically peak at 73°F (23°C) in January, and max out at above 85°F (29°C) in July, August, and September.

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7 Mile Bridge - Key West (Florida, USA)

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Therefore, although relative humidity levels around Miami, Fort Myers, and the Everglades are similar to that of northern Florida, uncomfortable levels of humidity are experienced for more of the year in southern parts of the state than it is around Jacksonville, Tallahassee, and their surrounding areas.

Conclusion: Puerto Rico = More humid than florida

The humidity in both Puerto Rico and Florida is similar, with both areas commonly experiencing levels of relative humidity between 64 and 78%. If anything, data from Puerto Rico suggests a slightly larger range of humidity levels than Florida, although this may be due to southern Puerto Rico experiencing lower amounts of moist air than the north coast does.

However, the level of humidity ‘felt’ in both regions varies between the regions – this is influenced by seasonal variations in climate, which occur significantly more in Florida than in Puerto Rico. Whereas particularly northern parts of Florida may not notice the humidity much in the winter months, it is a constant occurrence in Puerto Rico.

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Valentina is a guide for Pedal Chile and is our geology expert. Valentina has been in love with volcanoes ever since she first saw Villarrica glowing in her native country of Chile. Valentina was born and raised in La Patagonia, which probably explains her affinity for adventuring. When Valentina isn’t crushing some poor dude’s soul, you can find her shredding down Rucapillán.

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Related articles from Pedal Chile

• Can I drink the tap water in Puerto Rico?

• Is Puerto Rico Tropical?

Sources & References for “Is Puerto Rico More Humid Than Florida?”

1. climate-Data.org. “San Juan Climate: Average Temperature, Weather by Month, San Juan Water Temperature - Climate-Data.org.” En.climate-Data.org, en.climate-data.org/north-america/united-states-of-america/puerto-rico/san-juan-986/. ‌

2. Florida Climate Center. “Humidity - Florida Climate Center.” Climatecenter.fsu.edu, climatecenter.fsu.edu/topics/humidity.

3. “Miami, FL - Detailed Climate Information and Monthly Weather Forecast.” Weather Atlas, www.weather-us.com/en/florida-usa/miami-climate#humidity_relative.

4. “Orlando, FL - Detailed Climate Information and Monthly Weather Forecast.” Weather Atlas, www.weather-us.com/en/florida-usa/orlando-climate#humidity_relative.

5. ‌Weather Atlas. “Jacksonville, FL - Detailed Climate Information and Monthly Weather Forecast.” Weather Atlas, www.weather-us.com/en/florida-usa/jacksonville-climate#humidity_relative.

6. ‌Weather Atlas. “Key West, FL - Detailed Climate Information and Monthly Weather Forecast.” Weather Atlas, www.weather-us.com/en/florida-usa/key-west-climate#humidity_relative.

Do They Speak English in Puerto Rico

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Due to Puerto Rico’s status as an American commonwealth, located in the tropical Caribbean, it is often referred to as a bilingual territory.

• Both English and Spanish are spoken and both are official languages.

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Puerto Rico & Bilingualism

Co-official Languages

Spanish & English

However, Spanish is undoubtedly the most widely used of the two and is the native language for the majority of the island’s population. Although English is used by about 50% of the island’s residents it’s only spoken in 5% of households.

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English Speakers Within Puerto Rico

The above English-speaking map is from a 2010 study that researched “the role of English speakers in the linguistic ecosystem of Puerto Rico.” This data is from the 2000 U.S. Census. While this data has changed over the last 21 years, the actual concentration of English speakers is still an accurate representation (Image Source: Pousada).

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Do they speak English in Puerto Rico?

According to U.S Census data and a 2017 Puerto Rican poll, approximately 50% of Puerto Ricans living on the island, either is fluent in English or have a basic level:

• 50% of Puerto Ricans speak English daily, but ONLY 5% speak it at home

• 1/5 of Puerto Rico’s residents are either native English speakers or fully fluent

While many Puerto Ricans are bilingual, especially in academia, international business, and tourism, English is the second language for the majority of the island residents. Even though 1 out of 2 Puerto Ricans speak conversational English or better, the vast majority of islanders only speak English in business settings or while watching American movies or programs.

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Municipalities & percentage of English Speakers

PedalChile.Com (info sourced from Pousada 2010)

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Puerto Rico & English Speakers

Information from the above graph and map highlights the fact that the majority of bilingual Puerto Ricans are concentrated in the San Juan metro area and the tourist hotspots along the coast.

This makes sense, as many of the social, business, and customer interactions are conducted primarily in English in these locations. In these areas, the vast majority of workers and residents speak at least a basic level of English.

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San Juan metropolitan area

San Juan at night

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In the mountainous interior, outside of San Juan metro, and away from the tourist areas, the number of Puerto Ricans that speak English is a rarity. There are remote areas where less than 1% of residents understand English at even an elementary proficiency.

English as a first Language & Puerto Rico

The use of English as a primary language exists in many small enclaves on the archipelago. Due to unlimited travel between the USA and Puerto Rico, a small number of Americans born in the contiguous states have moved to the islands for various reasons, including to fulfill U.S. military duties, to accept business opportunities, or to pursue the ‘Caribbean life’.

However, they almost exclusively settle in specific neighborhoods within Puerto Rico – ones that are significantly more ‘Americanized’ than the rest of the territory. These are fairly self-contained communities, with amenities that are designed for Americans. Children are often taught in private schools that teach primarily in English.

Thus, in areas where English is only spoken, many speakers tend to be rather ‘fenced off’ from the rest of the island, with the widespread use of the language not being found in many places outside.

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Culebra

Flamenco Beach on the Puerto Rican island of Culebra has the most English speakers in Puerto Rico. This island is actually closer to the British Virgin Islands than to the main island and is a former U.S. Naval base. Now, over 20% of this island is a National Wildlife Refuge and is home to the best beaches in Puerto Rico.

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Circular Migration

Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens. This allows island residents unlimited travel between Puerto Rico and the contiguous states. It’s very common for Puerto Ricans to live on mainland U.S. and return later to the island – these are often people who relocated to the USA for various reasons, most likely for better work opportunities and have since returned.

While in the USA, many spoke and used English daily, thereby learning it to a fluent or near-fluent level. Due to their interaction with both societies, they are significantly more bilingual than those who spend their entire life within Puerto Rico, and American migrants to the island. However, they are far more likely to use Spanish when communicating with other Puerto Ricans.

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Valentina is a guide for Pedal Chile and is our resident badass. Valentina was born and raised in La Patagonia, which probably explains her affinity for adventuring. When Valentina isn’t crushing some poor dude’s soul, you can find her shredding down Rucapillán. Favorite season: Austral Summer.

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Related articles from Pedal Chile

• Can I drink the Tap Water in Puerto Rico?

• Can Puerto Ricans vote if they move to the U.S. mainland?

‌Sources & References for “Do they speak English in Puerto Rico?”

1. “English Language in Puerto Rico.” Wikipedia, 3 May 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language_in_Puerto_Rico.

2. ‌NW, 1615 L. St, et al. “Puerto Rican Population Declines on Island, Grows on U.S. Mainland.” Pew Research Center’s Hispanic Trends Project, 11 Aug. 2014, www.pewresearch.org/hispanic/2014/08/11/puerto-rican-population-declines-on-island-grows-on-u-s-mainland/.

3. Pousada, Alicia. ENGLISH-SPEAKING ENCLAVES in PUERTO RICO 1. , 19 Mar. 2010.

4. “QuickFacts: Puerto Rico.” Census Bureau QuickFacts, United States Census Bureau, 2018, www.census.gov/quickfacts/pr.

5. “Speaking English in Puerto Rico | Puerto Rico 51st.” Puerto Rico 51st, www.pr51st.com/speaking-english-in-puerto-rico/.

The World's Hottest Cities - Top 12

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This list of the World’s Hottest Cities has been formulated from each city's daily mean temperature. These temps are averages of the daily high and low over the entire year. The actual daytime temperatures, depending on the month, will be 4 to 18°F (2 to 10°C) higher than the daily average.

I have listed the 12 hottest cities in the World in reverse order. For a quick summary, reference the map above.

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For comparison, the average daily temperature of known "hot" cities

Hottest Month: August 87.1°F | 30.6°C

Miami, Florida (hottest city in continental USA)

Average temp: 76.82°F | 24.9°C

Hottest Month: August 87.1°F | 30.6°C

Hottest Month: March 90°F | 32.2°C

Panama City, Panama (hottest city in Central America)

Average temp: 82°F | 28.0°C

Hottest Month: March 90°F | 32.2°C

Hottest Month: July 96.8°F | 36.0°C

Seville, Spain (warmest city in continental Europe)

Average temp: 66.56°F | 19.2°C

Hottest Month: July 96.8°F | 36.0°C

Hottest Month: October 92.8°F | 33.8°C

Darwin, Australia (hottest city in Australia)

Average temp: 81.7°F | 27.6°C

Hottest Month: October 92.8°F | 33.8°C

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12) Port Sudan City, Sudan 83.12°F/28.4°C

Port Sudan -Sudan (Image Source)

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Port Sudan is a city located on the coast of the Red Sea, on the eastern side of the country of Sudan. Its latitude primarily explains why Port Sudan receives incredibly high temperatures – it is located at around 19°N, meaning that the Sun is high in the sky all year round.

The city is situated in a dry, desert climate, allowing temperatures to reach much higher maxima than they would in a humid and wet setting. Port Sudan is also close to sea level, meaning that air temperatures do not decrease due to the lapse rate – it is also nestled around 12 miles (20 km) to the east of the Red Sea Hills mountain range, sheltering the city from easterly winds at times, preventing ventilation.

• Hottest Month: August, with an average high-temperature of 40.2°C (104.4°F)

• Coldest Month: January, with an average high-temperature of 26.8°C (80.2°F)

• Humidity: The average annual relative humidity is 63.0%

The Meroe Pyramids are located in the North-East of Sudan near the banks of the Nile (Image Source: Flickr)

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11) Manila, Philippines 83.12°F/28.4°C

Manila, Philippines

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The Philippines is a tropical country with only two types of weather: Scorching hot or soaking wet and humid. Of the world’s top 12 hottest cities, Manila has the highest humidity and is even slightly muggier than Bangkok.

• Hottest Month: April, with an average high-temperature of 33.5°C (92.3°F)

• Coldest Month: January, with an average high-temperature of 29.6°C (85.3°F)

• Humidity: The average annual relative humidity is 74.0% (highest on this list)

10) Bangkok, Thailand 83.6°F/28.6°C

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons & Flickr

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The tropical city of Bangkok is located less than 1,000 miles (1,609 km) away from the equator but due to the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon and the humidity, Bangkok feels even hotter than the thermostat, which is already scorching hot and humid.

The metropolis of Bangkok

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• Hottest Month: April, with an average high-temperature of 35.4°C (95.7°F)

• Coldest Month: December, with an average high-temperature of 31.7°C (89.1°F)

• Humidity: The average annual relative humidity is 73% (2nd highest)

• Population: 10.72 million residents (plus another 1-million tourists, pre-COVID)

9) Ouahigouya, Burkina Faso 83.5°F/28.6°C

(Image Source)

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Ouahigouya is a city located in northern Burkina Faso, the hottest country on Earth. Its incredible heat is due to its low latitude, a fairly low altitude (~ 985 ft/300 m), and its proximity to the Sahara Desert, the border of which is just to the north of the city.

Its location in the northern Sahel region means that the dry season has a longer length than more Equatorial places, meaning that incredibly high temperatures occur around much of the year.

Nazeing national park in Burkina Faso

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However, the short wet season is also rather hot and humid, increasing the minimum temperatures during this period. It is also a long distance from the nearest sea or a large body of water, resulting in a lack of any refreshing sea breezes.

• Hottest Month: April, with an average daytime high-temperature of 106.5°F | 41.4°C

• Coldest Month: January is the coldest month, with an average daytime high-temperature of 91.8°F | 33.2°C

• Humidity: The annual average relative humidity of 49%

8) Aden, Yemen 84.4°F/29.1°C

Image Sources: Both from (left) Wikimedia Commons & (right) Wikimedia Commons

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Aden is a port city that is situated in the southwest of Yemen. Located on the southern edge of the Arabian Desert, it receives very little precipitation, with sunny days and clear blue skies occurring pretty much all year round, with very little interruption from cloud cover. 

This causes the temperatures – particularly between May and September – to reach a rather high maxima. Aden is also located at around 12°N, meaning that the Sun is always high in the sky. Since it is a port city, Aden also has a low altitude, with the lapse rate allowing for higher temperatures than it would for areas located at higher altitudes. 

Aden, Yemen

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• Hottest Month: June, with an average high-temperature of 36.6°C (97.9°F)

• Coldest Month: January, with an average high-temperature of 28.5°C (83.3°F)

• Humidity: The average annual relative humidity is 70%

7) Niamey, Niger 84.7°F/29.3°C

(Hungerford)

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Niger is the 18th hottest nation on Earth, and is famously known as the “Frying Pan of the World.” Referred to as one of the world’s hottest cities, Niamey is located on the western side of the African country of Niger.

It owes its heat partly to its low latitude, with an overhead Sun allowing the city to experience its full energy. Its location in the northern Sahel region also allows the city to receive a long dry season between October and May, during which practically no rain falls, allowing for incredibly hot temperatures to occur.

The wet season is rather short and produces rather hot and humid weather. Niamey is located within the Iullemmeden Basin, meaning that it has a comparatively low altitude than other parts of the Sahel region.

The skyline in Niamey, Niger

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• Hottest Month: April, with an average maximum temperature of 105°F | 41°C

• Coldest Month: January, with an average maximum temperature of 90°F | 32°C

• Humidity: The average annual relative humidity is 42%

• Population: 1.027 million

6) Lodwar, Kenya 84.7°F/29.3°C

Lodwar, located in north-western Kenya (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

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Lodwar is a large town located in north-western Kenya. It has an incredibly hot and dry semi-arid climate all year round, with a brief wet season from late March to early May.

Its 3°N latitude means that the Sun is almost directly above throughout the year, contributing to the constantly high daily maxima recorded here. The dry savannah-type landscape around the town means that evaporation is very low, preventing cloud formation and allowing for high amounts of sunshine, which in turn increases the maximum temperatures even further.

Furthermore, Lodwar is located within a large basin – the Great Rift Valley – meaning that the town is significantly hotter than surrounding areas that have a higher elevation.

Lodwar, Kenya (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

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• Hottest Month: February, with an average high-temperature of 36°C (96.8°F)

• Coldest Month: July, With an average high-temperature of 32.1°C (89.8°F)

• Humidity: The average annual relative humidity is 44%

5) Abéché, Chad 84.9°F/29.4°C

Abéché is located in the eastern part of the Sahelian zone (orange-yellow)

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Resting within sub-Saharan Africa, it is no surprise that Abéché receives very high temperatures. This is largely due to a lack of evaporation from the vast dry savannah that surrounds the city, preventing the formation of clouds, and allowing the Sun to shine on most days.

During its short wet season, maximum temperatures are reduced, but it remains rather hot and humid. Its low latitude also allows the sun to appear high in the sky around the year, albeit particularly from March to September. Its incredible distance from the nearest sea, or body of water, also means that there is a complete absence of cooling sea breezes.

9 of the 10 hottest cities in the World are in this region, with the majority being located in or near the Sahel region of Africa.

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• Hottest Month: April is the warmest month, with an average high-temperature of 40.2°C (104.4°F)

• Coldest Month: August, with an average high-temperature of 32°C (89.6°F)

• Humidity: The average annual relative humidity is 34.3%

4) Khartoum, Sudan 85.8°F/29.9°C

Nile river in Khartoum, Sudan

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Surrounded by the vast Sahara Desert on its northern and western sides, and with the semi-arid Sahel region to its south, Khartoum is the world’s 4th hottest city, experiencing exceptionally high temperatures.

Despite being at the confluence of both the White and Blue Nile rivers, the landscape around the city is incredibly arid – this limits evaporation, preventing cloud formation, and subsequently allowing scorching sunshine for much of the year.

Khartoum also lies within a basin (at an altitude of around 1,150 ft | 350 m above sea level), which allows for hotter temperatures to occur in this region than they would in surrounding areas with a higher altitude.

• Hottest Month: May, with an average high-temperature of 41.9°C (107.4°F)

• Coldest Month: January, with an average high-temperature of 30.7°C (87.3°F)

• Humidity: The average annual relative humidity is 28.8%

3) Djibouti City, Djibouti 85.8°F/29.9°C

Djibouti City

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Djibouti City is a port that is located on the eastern side of the country of Djibouti, on the coast of the Gulf of Aden. It is one of the world’s hottest urban areas – this is mainly due to its adjacent desert landscape.

Near-constant high pressure over the region allows the sun to shine almost continuously, allowing for a lack of cloud development, and thus for very high maxima to be recorded. Djibouti City’s sea level altitude further increases the ability for high temperatures – by contrast, mountain areas within the interior of Djibouti record slightly lower average temperatures, sometimes by more than 6°C.

• Hottest Month: July, with an average high-temperature of 37.9°C (100.2°F)

• Coldest Month: January, with an average high-temperature of 26.3°C (79.3°F)

• Humidity: The average annual relative humidity 61.0%

2) Bosaso, Somalia 86°F/30.0°c

The port city of Bosaso is situated on the northern coast of Somalia, overlooking the Gulf of Aden. Located very close to the Equator, the city is incredibly dry and sunny all year round, with the lack of a defined wet season.

Therefore, since cloud cover is rare, daily maximum temperatures are always rather high – particularly between May and September, when the sun is more or less directly overhead.

The Gulf of Aden is also rather warm all year round (yearly average 83°F/28°C), preventing temperatures in the city from dropping as much overnight as they would in inland desert areas. Bosaso’s low altitude also allows high temperatures to occur here.

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Bosaso, Somalia (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

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• Hottest Month: June and July, with an average high-temperature of 41°C (105.8°F)

• Coldest Month: January, with an average high-temperature of 29°C (84.2°F)

• Humidity: The average annual relative humidity 62.0%

1) Assab, Eritrea 86.9°F/30.5° c

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

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Assab is a port city that is located in southern Eritrea, on the coast of the southern Red Sea. Like many cities that are within desert climate zones, near-constant daily sunshine allows temperatures to reach incredible maxima during the day, aided by the lack of cloud development.

Asmara - the capital city and largest city in Eritrea (about 485 miles away from Assab)

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Due to its latitude (13°N), not only does this city experience near-constant high pressure all year round, but it is also under the influence of the Sun’s strong rays. Like with the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea is also rather warm, preventing temperatures from decreasing overnight as much as they would inland. The low altitude of the region also facilities for incredibly high temperatures. 

• Hottest Month: July, with an average high-temperature of 41.2°C (106.2°F)

• Coldest Month: January, with an average high-temperature of 31.3°C (88.3°F)

• Humidity: The average annual relative humidity is 58%

• Average dewpoint in June: 84°F (29.3°C) which is the highest monthly dewpoint for any city in the world. So in addition to being hot, this city is also insanely humid during June.

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Valentina is a guide for Pedal Chile and is our geology expert. Valentina has been in love with geology ever since she first saw Villarrica glowing in her native country of Chile. Valentina was born and raised in La Patagonia, which probably explains her affinity for adventuring. Favorite season: Austral Summer

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Related articles from Pedal Chile

• Hottest Countries in the World

• What is the hottest temperature ever recorded?……and it’s not Death Valley

• World’s Coldest temperature?…so cold you can’t even breathe

Sources & References for “World’s Hottest Cities”

1. “AB.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Feb. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ab.

2. Babikir, Mahamat Hassane, et al. “Estimation of Direct Solar Radiation of Chad.” Energy and Power Engineering, vol. 10, no. 5, 9 May 2018, pp. 212–225, www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=84809, 10.4236/epe.2018.105015.

3. ‌“Bosaso.” Wikipedia, 10 Apr. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosaso.

4. Carlowicz, Michael. “Where Is the Hottest Place on Earth?” Earthobservatory.nasa.gov, 5 Apr. 2012, earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/HottestSpot.(Image Source: opening photo adapted from this map)

5. “Darwin.” Wikipedia, 16 Dec. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darwin.

6. “Djibouti (City).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 24 Jan. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djibouti_(city).

7. “Gulf of Aden.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 8 Oct. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Aden.

8. Hungerford, Hilary B. “Water, Cities, and Bodies: A Relational Understanding of Niamey, Niger.” Kuscholarworks.ku.edu, 31 May 2012, kuscholarworks.ku.edu/handle/1808/10642.

9. “Khartoum.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Sept. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khartoum.

10. “List of Cities by Average Temperature.” Wikipedia, 10 June 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_by_average_temperature.

11. “Lodwar.” Wikipedia, 18 Mar. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lodwar.

12. “Manila.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 8 Sept. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila.

13. “Ouahigouya.” Wikipedia, 18 Feb. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouahigouya.

14. Wikipedia. “Aden.” Wikipedia, 27 Apr. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aden.

15. Wikipedia Contributors. “Assab.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 7 Mar. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assab.

16. Wikipedia Contributors. “Bangkok.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Feb. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangkok.

Is Puerto Rico Tropical

Puerto Rico is an archipelago, consisting of one large island surrounded by several much smaller islands, that is located in the Caribbean region of the Atlantic Ocean.

Río Grande, Puerto Rico

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A territory controlled by the United States Government, Puerto Rico is situated around 60 miles (97 km) to the west of the Dominican Republic, and 1,014 miles (1,632 km) to the south-east of Miami, Florida.

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Tropical Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is in Earth’s Tropical Zone which is represented on this map in pink. (Image Source: Adapted from Wikimedia Commons)

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With the Caribbean Sea to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the north, the island is in a prime location to receive a year-round tropical climate.

The landscape of Puerto Rico reflects this, consisting of pockets of rainforest that cover much of the island’s northern side. A forest-covered mountain range also runs from east to west through the island – named the Cordillera Central, much of its peaks exceed 3,000 feet in height, with the tallest topping out at almost 4,400 feet above sea level.

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Is Puerto Rico Tropical?

Puerto Rico is located within Earth’s Tropical Zone and has a Tropical Marine climate with an average daily temperature of 80°F (26°C).

• January, the coldest month, averages a low of 70°F (21°C) and a high of 83°F (28°C)

• August, the hottest month, the average temperature averages 79°F to 89°F (26.1°C to 31.7°C)

• San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, is the hottest U.S. city and is 5% warmer than Miami, Florida, the second hottest city

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Puerto Rico: 100% tropical island

If one were to summarize the climate of Puerto Rico, it would be accurate to say that it is a rather tropical island. As expected with an island located at around an 18°N latitude, the climate is incredibly warm and wet all year round, with relatively high levels of humidity a constant occurrence.

The average temperature in lowland areas is around 78°F (25.6°C), with maxima often reaching (and sometimes exceeding) 88°F ( 31°C).

In upland areas, the temperature maxes out at a relatively cooler (but still warm) 80°F (27°C), with average temperatures a few degrees lower than those in lowland parts of the island.

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Manatí, Puerto Rico

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Tropical Rain: High humidity

Rainfall amounts are also high on the island. The northern coast receives the highest rainfall totals, mainly due to north-easterly trade wings bringing in huge amounts of moisture-laden air. For example, the annual rainfall total at the city of San Juan receives around 60 inches (152 cm) of rainfall a year. The Cordillera peaks on the northern side of Puerto Rico receive significantly more rain, sometimes up to 180 (457 cm) inches a year. However, the southern side of the island sits in a rain shadow and receives a relatively lower (but excessive) 36 inches (91 cm) per year.

The incredibly high levels of heat and rainfall, as well as the fact that Puerto Rico is surrounded by warm seas, combines to produce rather intense levels of humidity. This is felt more in the lowland areas than the relatively cooler parts of the island but is essentially a persistent occurrence for the entire island.

El Yunque, Puerto Rico - The El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rainforest in the National Forest System of the United States of America.

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Jesse is the Director of Pedal Chile and lives in La Patagonia and Puerto Rico. Jesse has a Master of Science in Health and Human Performance and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Hobbies: Mountain biking, bicycle commuting, reading, snowboarding, researching, and sampling yummy craft beers.

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Related articles from Pedal Chile

• How is Puerto Rico Part of the U.S.

• Can I drink the tap water in Puerto Rico?

References & Sources for “Is Puerto Rico Tropical?”

1. Amandolare, Sarah. “Puerto Rico’s Catastrophic Hurricane Gave Scientists a Rare Chance to Study How Tropical Forests Will Fare in a Stormier Future.” Science | AAAS, 11 Sept. 2018‌.

2. Daly, Christopher, et al. “Mapping the Climate of Puerto Rico, Vieques and Culebra.” International Journal of Climatology, vol. 23, no. 11, 6 Aug. 2003, pp. 1359–1381, 10.1002/joc.937.

3. F, Beck, H. E. , Zimmermann, N. E. , McVicar, T. R. , Vergopolan, N. , Berg, A. , & Wood, E. “English: Köppen–Geiger Climate Classification Map for Puerto Rico.” Wikimedia Commons, 6 Nov. 2018, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Koppen-Geiger_Map_PRI_future.svg. (Adapted for Figure 3)

4. “Puerto Rico’s Climate and Average Temperatures.” Topuertorico.org, 2019, welcome.topuertorico.org/reference/tempera.shtml.

5. Wagenheim, Olga. “Puerto Rico | History, Geography, & Points of Interest.” Encyclopedia Britannica, www.britannica.com/place/Puerto-Rico#ref54522. ‌

Can I Use WD-40 On My Guns?

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“There are hundreds of gun cleaning products on the market, and they all work in some manner or fashion. Do not use water and do not use WD-40 to clean guns.”

— From the book "Pheasant Hunting Tactics"

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What's Inside WD-40?

(similar to the goo in lava lamps)

Mineral Oil

Basically a mix of Vaseline & baby oil

(similar to the goo in lava lamps)

Decane

This keeps WD-40 a liquid at cold temperatures

Nonane

This is a water-repellent

Dimethyl Naphthalene

This stuff (C12H12) comes in 10 forms - most likely a solvent in the case of WD40

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Used as a propellant

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Can I use WD-40 on my guns?

• WD-40 is NOT a protectant, cleaner, nor lubricant and should NOT be used on firearms.

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There are three reasons we use gun oil:

1. Clean

2. Lubricate

3. Protect

Below, I will discuss how WD-40 performs in each of those roles.

Cleaner

Since WD-40 is primarily a solvent it seems to make sense that it would be ideal for cleaning guns. However, cleaning your guns with WD40 is NOT advisable.

Solvents, such as WD40, don’t remove any gunk or slime.

• Solvents dissolve gunk, which then moves the dissolved goo to another area of your gun that you cannot see.

• Using an aerosol solvent simply “shoots” all the gunk into tiny crevices in your firearm, making them even harder to clean and can lead to “gumming” up.

Lubricant

WD-40 is a solvent and NOT a lubricant. Because it evaporates so quickly WD-40 does not function well as a lubricant in guns. Between the time you spray it on the chamber or slide and the time you load your rounds and start firing, it would almost certainly be evaporated, leaving your gun bone dry.

• MYTH: WD-40 is a lubricant.

• FACT: “WD” stand for “Water Displacement” and is primarily a solvent.

Protectant

As stated above, WD-40 evaporates so quickly, that it won’t protect your gun for very long. Before storing your firearms in a gun safe for long periods, an actual oil should be used (oil doesn’t evaporate and will protect your firearm from rusts).

• WD-40 is mostly comprised of mineral spirits. Once these mineral spirits evaporate, your gun will be left with unprotected metal and your firearm will start to rust.

WD40 & exceptions

There are only two situations where WD-40 can/should be used:

1. In an emergency

   • Such as dropping your gun in a lake or puddle.

2. When disassembling your gun

   • It’s okay to use WD-40 for a deep cleaning when you disassemble your firearm. Especially if your gun contains moisture. “WD” will displace the water and keep it from rusting so long as you thoroughly clean after using WD40 and apply oil before storing your firearm.

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Valentina is a guide for Pedal Chile and is our resident badass. Valentina was born and raised on a sheep farm in La Patagonia, which explains her affinity for adventuring and guns. Hobbies: Bookworm, geographer, cycling, mtb, and blowing sh*t up. Favorite Season: Austral summer.

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More articles from Pedal Chile

Sources & References for “Can I Use WD40 On My Gun?”

1. Gaeddert, Dan. “Question: Can I Use WD40 to Clean Guns? [Ill-Advised].” Best Reloading Press, 9 Apr. 2018, reloadingpresso.com/can-use-wd40-clean-guns/.

2. GunTortureTests. “Gun Myths Debunked Ep. 2: WD-40.” Www.youtube.com, 10 Sept. 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zxliQcKYkk.

3. Keleher, Mike. Pheasant Hunting Tactics. United States, Mike-Keleher-Black Rifle Ranch, 2013.

4. Safety Data Sheet California CARB Compliant 1 -Identification Product Name: WD-40 Multi-Use Product Aerosol Product Use: Lubricant, Penetrant, Drives out Moisture, Removes and Protects Surfaces from Corrosion Restrictions on Use: None Identified SDS. , 2019.

5. Thornton, Lee. You’re Doing It Wrong! : How to Improve Your Life by Fixing Everyday Tasks You (and Everyone Else) Are Totally Screwing Up. Avon, Mass., Adams Media, 2012.

6. Wired Staff. “What’s inside WD-40? Superlube’s Secret Sauce.” Wired, 20 Apr. 2009, www.wired.com/2009/04/st-whatsinside-6/.

Hottest Temperature on Earth

Dasht-e Lut Desert in Iran (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

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The World Meteorological Organization has approximately 11,119 weather stations on Earth. While this might seem like a lot, it equates to only 1 weather station for every ~56 million sq. miles (144.68 million sq. km) of Earth’s land surface. The hot deserts, such as the Sahara, the Gobi, the Sonoran, the Pilbara, the Lut, and the Taklamakan Desert - are so climatically harsh and remote that it’s impossible for routine measurements, let alone installation and regular maintenance. As a result, the majority of Earth’s true hot spots are not actually directly measured via ground-based instruments (i.e. thermometers).

Contrary to popular misconception, Death Valley’s Furnace Creek or the small town of El Azizia in Libya is NOT the hottest place on Earth. While both of these places are hot by normal living standards, they are not even serious contenders.

Fortunately for us, NASA has operated the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) which detects thermal radiance emitted by the land surface. These satellites view the entire Earth’s surface and provide temperatures to the most isolated hot spots on our Planet.

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What is the hottest temperature recorded on Earth?

According to NASA, the hottest temperature on earth, 159.3°F (70.7°C) was recorded in the lowest area of the Lut Desert (Dasht-e-Lut), Iran, in 2005.

• For comparison, Death Valley’s highest recorded temperature was 134°F / 56.7°C in 1913, which is 22% cooler

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3 Hottest Temperatures recorded on Earth

1. Lut Desert, Iran: 159.3°F (70.7°C)

2. Australia’s Badlands: 157°F (69.3°C)

3. Turpan Basin, China: 152°F (66.8°C)

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Lut Desert - Iran

The Lut Desert, Iran (Image Source: Alavipanah et al. 2007)

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The deserts of Iran are often considered to be one of the hottest and driest desert regions on Earth. The Lut is one of Iran’s largest desert basins, consisting mainly of a largely dry and desolate plateau covered in salt flats.

• In 2004, a Land Surface Temperature (LST) of 154°F (68°C) was recorded in the Lut Desert, only to be beaten in 2005 with an even higher temp of 159.3°F (70.7°C).

  • This remains to this day as the world’s hottest temperature ever recorded

Iran (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

The fact that the Lut Desert also recorded the highest temperature on earth for each year between 2004 to 2007, and in 2009, shows that this region is likely to be the hottest region on Earth. Although many of the world’s deserts are incredibly hot, the hottest temperatures tend to be recorded in low-lying deserts with a great deal of dry, rocky and dark-colored land – the Lut Desert fits this rather well, with dark pebbles, and closely-packed rock fragments being rather frequent features on the desert’s plateau.

Vegetation cover is also a large factor – although deserts generally contain low amounts of plant and shrub cover, desert areas range from slightly vegetated through to being completely barren. The hottest desert temperatures are recorded in areas with no vegetation and irrigation in the vicinity. This is certainly the case for the areas of the Lut Desert where the highest temperature readings were recorded, with no vegetation at all in these parts of the desert.

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The Lut Desert

The Lut Desert, widely referred to as Dasht-e Lut (Persian: دشت لوت‎, "Emptiness Plain"), is a large salt desert located in the provinces of Kerman and Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran. It is the world's 27th-largest desert, and was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List on July 17, 2016 (Image & Quote: Flickr).

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Australia’s Badlands - Queensland

Image Source: (Wikimedia Commons)

In 2003, the hottest temperature recorded on Earth was 157°F (69.3°C), in a barren area of desert shrublands in Queensland, Australia, around 62 miles (100 km) to the north of the town of Winton.

Although it is around 1-1/2 degrees lower than the Lut Desert maximum, it is still a rather striking temperature reading, particularly as a small layer of dry grassland covers this part of Queensland’s desert.

Satellite images of the area show that the earth has a brown texture, helping the ground to absorb high amounts of solar radiation, heating the LST to large maxima. With an altitude of between 490 to 655 feet (150 to 200 m) above sea level, the region is also relatively low compared to other parts of the Australian outback, allowing for very high temperatures to be recorded here.

However, weather events likely explain the reason for the highest LST of 2003 being recorded here – there was a severe drought across much of north-eastern Australia in 2002 and 2003, including Queensland, contributing significantly to the dryness of the soil and lower vegetation levels, thus allowing the LST to reach an even higher level than it would normally.

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Road Train

These 120-ton “road trains” that cruise along at 70+ mph (115 kph) are a frighting sight while traveling the dirty and dusty road of the Outback.

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Turpan Basin: Flaming Mountain - China

Flaming Mountain, China (Image Source: Flickr)

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Situated on the edge of the Taklamakan Desert, Flaming Mountain is the hottest place in China. Located in the Turpan Basin, its name given to a 100 km-long mountain range that is situated in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of north-western China.

Map of China. The Taklamakan Desert is nearly twice the size of the U.S. state of Florida (Image Source: Flickr).

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Since Flaming Mountain is an exposed area of dark orange-colored sandstone, with no ground vegetation. And during 2008, it was – the year’s highest global LST was recorded in the Turpan Basin, reaching a maximum of 152°F (66.8°C).

The region is ideal for high temperatures to accumulate here due to its large expanses of dark-colored red sandstone outcrops, which aid with the absorption of heat from the surrounding area.

However, it is also directly to the north-west of the Shanshan dune field, a vast system of dark-colored sand dunes which also increase the level of solar radiation absorbed into the ground in the Turpan Basin region, thereby increasing the ground surface temperature even further.

China’s Lowest Point

The basin also reaches rather low altitudes, even below sea level in some places, further permitting incredibly high temperatures in the basin, particularly in areas adjacent to the lowest slopes of Flaming Mountain.

• Lowest point of China's Turpan Depression: 505 feet (154 m) below sea level (This is also China’s lowest point).

• For comparison: Death Valley’s lowest point is -282 feet (-86 m), which is 57% higher than the Turpan Depression.

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The Cross-Desert Highway

(Image Source:Alles, China’s Deserts)

The Cross-Desert Highway or the Tarim Desert Highway is the longest desert highway in the world.

• Total Length: 343 mi (552 km)

  • 277 miles (446 km) crosses uninhabited land of shifting sand dunes

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Bottom Line

Ultimately, the Lut Desert in Iran is the hottest place in the world – not only was the highest land surface temperature (LST) recorded here, but temperatures reached significantly above 140°F / 60°C over the course of several years.

However, two other locations around the world – northeast Australia and northwest China – have also recorded similarly high temperatures, achieving the global maximum temperature for one year at each location. This shows that the highest temperature can vary over a vast geographic area, but also that differences depend on the land cover of an area.

Climate variations can also have a huge impact, as seen in the shrublands of Queensland, which saw the second-highest temperature recorded on Earth using this technology. Although air temperature measurements are a more reliable and direct method of recording the temperature of an area, this method is a reasonable alternative as it allows us to take temperature records of the world’s most sparsely populated areas using solar radiation data.

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Valentina is a guide for Pedal Chile and is our geology expert. Valentina has been in love with volcanoes ever since she first saw Villarrica glowing in her native country of Chile. Valentina was born and raised in La Patagonia, which probably explains her affinity for adventuring. When Valentina isn’t crushing some poor dude’s soul, you can find her shredding down Rucapillán.

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Sources & References for - Hottest Temperature on Earth

1. Alavipanah, S. K., M. Saradjian, G. Savaghebi, C. B. Komaki, E. Moghimi and M. Reyhan. “Land Surface Temperature in the Yardang Region of Lut Desert (Iran) Based on Field Measurements and Landsat Thermal Data.” Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology 9 (2010): 287-303.

2. Alles, David. China’s Deserts. 26 Jan. 2013.

3. Carlowicz, Michael. “Where Is the Hottest Place on Earth?” Earthobservatory.nasa.gov, 5 Apr. 2012, earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/HottestSpot.

4. Mildrexler, David J., et al. “Satellite Finds Highest Land Skin Temperatures on Earth.” Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, vol. 92, no. 7, 1 July 2011, pp. 855–860, 10.1175/2011bams3067.1.

5. Scully, Simone. “These Are Some of the Hottest Places on Earth.” World Economic Forum, 28 July 2016.

6. “Where Are the Hottest Spots on Earth?” Eos, Transactions American Geophysical Union, vol. 87, no. 43, 24 Oct. 2006, pp. 461–467, 10.1029/2006eo430002.

7. Yazdi, Abdollah, et al. “Dasht-e Lut in Iran, the Most Complete Collection of Beautiful Geomorphological Phenomena of Desert.” Open Journal of Geology, vol. 04, no. 06, 2014, pp. 249–261, 10.4236/ojg.2014.46019. ‌