5 Most Geographically Diverse Countries In The World

4. China

IM Score: 12

China, one of the largest countries in the world, boasts geographical features that significantly influence the lives of its billion-plus inhabitants. The country shares the Himalayas with India to the southwest, acting as a natural barrier and affecting China’s climate. These colossal mountains are sharply contrasted by the vast Gobi Desert in the north, a crucial segment of the Silk Road. The fertile plains of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers have been the cradle of Chinese civilization, and are still home to millions.  Urbanization and industrialization have transformed parts of these plains in recent decades, with major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin expanding rapidly.