The 25 most mountainous countries in the world, ranked
How mountainous is the Earth?
According to the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP), mountains make up around 25% of the Earth's land area. This percentage can be further broken down by region.
What factors are calculations based on?
For example, is it having the tallest mountains, or is it having the highest percentage of land covered by mountains?
Highest average elevation
Each of these measures is a viable option. But to compile this gallery, we've evaluated mountainous nations by the highest average elevation above sea level. And the 25 listed countries are ranked.
25. Angola
Angola is a country on the west-central coast of Southern Africa. It's set at an average 3,648 ft (1,112 m) above sea level. Pictured is the Tundavala Gap near Lubango.
24. Ecuador
Ecuador is located in northwestern South America. It's set at an average 3,665 ft (1,118 m) above sea level. Pictured is the landmark Chimborazo volcano in the Cordillera Occidental range of the Andes.
22. Namibia
Located on the west coast of Southern Africa, Namibia is set at an average 3,743 ft (1,141 m) above sea level. Pictured is the Naukluft mountain range, situated at the eastern edge of the Namib Desert.
20. Taiwan
Taiwan is set at an average 3,773 ft (1,150 m) above sea level. Pictured is Mount Hehuan in Taroko National Park.
18. Lebanon
Situated at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Basin and the Arabian Peninsula, Lebanon is set at an average 4,101 ft (1,250 m) above sea level. Pictured is the Kadisha Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
17. Iran
Iran is set at an average 4,218 ft (1,286 m) above sea level. Pictured are hills and snow-capped mountains in the Uraman District of Sarvabad County, in Kurdistan province.
14. Georgia
Georgia is another country at the intersection of Europe and Asia. The former Soviet republic is set at an average 4,698 ft (1,432 m) above sea level. Pictured is the Koruldi Lakes area with the Greater Caucasus mountain range providing a dramatic backdrop.
12. Peru
Peru's diverse habitats include the Andes mountain range. The country is set at an average 5,102 ft (1,556 m) above sea level. Pictured is the colorful Montaña Arcoíris (Rainbow Mountain) in Peru's Cusco region.
10. Armenia
Armenia is set at an average 5,879 ft (1,792 m) above sea level. Within its boundaries is the Lesser Caucasus region, which features Mount Aragats—the highest peak in the country.
8. Chile
Chile is the southernmost country in the world and the closest to Antarctica. It's wedged along a narrow strip of land between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean and averages 6,140 ft (1,871 m) above sea level. Pictured is the scenic Torres del Paine National Park.
6. Andorra
Tiny Andorra squats in the Pyrenees Mountains and is set at an average 6,550 ft (1,996 m) above sea level. Pictured is pristine Estany Primer Lake. Incidentally, the country's capital, Andorra la Vella, is the highest capital city in Europe, at an elevation of 3,356 ft (1,023 m).
4. Kyrgyzstan
Landlocked Kyrgyzstan is located in Central Asia and lies in the Tian Shan (pictured) and Pamir mountain ranges. The country is set at an average 9,805 ft (2,989 m) above sea level.
2. Nepal
Nepal is set at an average 10,715 ft (3,266 m) above sea level. The country contains most of the Himalayas and some of the tallest mountains on Earth, including Mount Everest (pictured), Makalu, and Annapurna.
