What is the coldest place on Earth?

The coldest place on Earth is Antarctica, specifically a high ridge on the East Antarctic Plateau. Temperatures there have been recorded as low as -98.6°C (-145.5°F) during the polar winter. This extreme cold is due to the continent’s high elevation, dry atmosphere, and long periods without sunlight. Antarctica is covered in ice and snow, with its thick ice sheets reflecting much of the Sun’s energy. These conditions make it the least hospitable place for life, although some microorganisms and specially adapted animals, like penguins, survive in coastal areas. Scientific stations, such as Vostok, monitor the climate and environment here.