Most Mountainous Countries

Mountains, magnificent and majestic, cradle not only the highest points on Earth but also unique ecosystems, cultural heritage sites, and a plethora of outdoor activities. Accounting for approximately 20% of the land on Earth, mountains are conspicuous features of landscapes in countless regions around the globe - from the soaring peaks of the Himalayas to the rugged ranges of the Rocky Mountains and the picturesque peaks of the European Alps. In this article, we focus on the countries with the highest percentage of their land covered by mountains, providing an intriguing snapshot of global geographical diversities. 

• Asian countries dominate the list, with Bhutan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Nepal making it to the top 10 most mountainous countries around the world. Bhutan leads the chart with a whopping 98.80% of its land covered in mountains.
• Eastern European countries also mark their presence, with Montenegro, Armenia, and North Macedonia featuring in the list, signifying the prominence of the Dinaric Alps and other mountain ranges in these regions.
• Interestingly, Switzerland, renowned worldwide for the legendary Alps, comes eighth with 83.60% of its land classified as mountainous.
• Regions with a lesser-known profile of high altitude environments make an appearance too: Lesotho, a Southern African country, sits fourth on the list with 90.50% of its territory being mountainous.
• Lastly, Lebanon showcases the geographical diversity of the Middle East; despite its compact size, it ranks ninth with 81.10% of its land featuring mountainous topography.

Topping the list is the Kingdom of Bhutan. Tucked away in the Eastern Himalayas, Bhutan boasts 98.80% of its territory covered by mountains. Majestic peaks, lush valleys, and fast flowing rivers, all at high altitudes, define the landscape in this kingdom.

Following Bhutan are Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, with 91.90% and 90.70% of their lands respectively dominated by mountains. Both of these Central Asian countries are marked by rugged terrains filled with high peaks and deep valleys.

Coming in fourth, we have Lesotho, highlighting the mountainous terrains of Southern Africa, with 90.50% of land covered by mountains. Its unique geography, dominated by the Drakensberg and Maloti Ranges, often leads to Lesotho being referred to as the 'Kingdom in the Sky'.

The European region does not fall behind either. Montenegro (89.30%), Armenia (85.90%), North Macedonia (85.50%), and Switzerland (83.60%) all grace the top 10 thanks to the magnificent and extensive mountain ranges they harbor, like the Dinaric Alps, Lesser Caucasus, Sar Mountains, and the Swiss Alps, respectively.

Lebanon, a country in the Middle East, stands out as the ninth most mountainous, with 81.10% of its land characterized by high-altitude environments, mainly attributed to the Mount Lebanon Range. 

Finally, nestling at the foot of the spectacular Himalayas, Nepal rounds out the top 10 with 80.70% mountain-covered land. Renowned for housing Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, Nepal is a mountaineer's paradise par excellence.

10 most mountainous countries:

1. Bhutan - 98.80%
2. Tajikistan - 91.90%
3. Kyrgyzstan - 90.70%
4. Lesotho - 90.50%
5. Montenegro - 89.30%
6. Armenia - 85.90%
7. North Macedonia - 85.50%
8. Switzerland - 83.60%
9. Lebanon - 81.10%
10. Nepal - 80.70%