These countries demonstrate how clean energy adoption, strong environmental policies and favourable geographical conditions can keep air pollution impressively low so its citizens can breathe easy.

According to the IQAir World Air Quality Report (2024), they consistently maintain annual average PM2.5 levels at or below the World Health Organization’s stringent guideline of 5 µg/m³.

Nations with the most admirable AQI

1. Bahamas

The Caribbean isles record an exceptionally low PM2.5 level of 2.3 µg/m³. Its marine location, steady ocean breezes and lack of heavy industry help preserve remarkably clean air, making it one of the best places in the world to experience truly fresh air.

2. Iceland

The Nordic nation’s average PM2.5 concentration stands at around 4 µg/m³, placing its air quality well within healthy limits and making it safe for people of all ages.

3. New Zealand

In 2024, New Zealand’s average PM2.5 concentration rose slightly to 4.40 µg/m³, marking a modest increase from the previous year’s level of 4.30 µg/m³. Despite this uptick, air quality remains among the cleanest globally. IQAir records show the country’s highest pollution levels were observed in 2018, when fine particulate matter peaked at 7.70 µg/m³.

4. Australia

The Land Down Under marked an average PM2.5 concentration of 4.5 µg/m³, keeping national air pollution levels within the World Health Organization’s strict safety benchmark of 5 µg/m³ or lower.

5. Estonia

Estonia’s annual PM2.5 concentration averages 4.6 µg/m³. Notably, despite nearly half the population residing in Tallinn and its surrounding region, the capital city itself recorded a lower annual average of 4.3 µg/m³, comfortably remaining beneath the World Health Organization’s recommended limits.

6. Finland

With PM2.5 levels of 5.2 µg/m³, Finland benefits from dense forests, clean energy and tight emission standards.

7. Sweden

Yet another Scandinavian country in the top rankings, Sweden records 5.3 µg/m³ annually. A strong focus on renewables, urban planning, keeps air pollution consistently low.

Sri Lanka is famously called the tea garden of the world, thanks to its misty highlands and endless plantations. Producing over 300 million kilograms of tea annually, the island’s Ceylon tea is cherished globally for its unique flavour and regional variety.

Sri Lanka has earned the nickname “the tea garden of the world” for good reason.

Mist-clad hills, endless terraces of emerald bushes and a long history of commercial tea growing have made Ceylon tea one of the island’s best-known exports.

Tea changed the country’s landscape, economy and identity; its plantations are as much a part of Sri Lanka’s image as its beaches and temples.

Tea planting here began in the nineteenth century after coffee crops were wiped out by disease. Visionary planters introduced tea, and estates quickly spread across the central highlands.

Today, the nation sells tea under the famed “Ceylon” label and the Sri Lanka Tea Board works to protect quality, reputation and traceability for markets around the world.

WHY IS SRI LANKA CALLED THE TEA GARDEN OF THE WORLD?

Sri Lanka’s combination of altitude, rainfall and temperature is ideal for tea.

Steep slopes in the central highlands trap mist and cool the plants; soils and microclimates vary region by region, giving each district a distinctive flavour.

Large swathes of the hill country are planted with tea shrubs, producing a landscape that truly looks like a single, enormous garden — visible from trains and roads that wind through the hills.

HOW DID TEA START HERE AND GROW SO QUICKLY?

Commercial tea in Sri Lanka began after a coffee blight in the 1860s. Pioneers such as James Taylor planted the first experimental gardens, and by the late 1800s plantations were well established.

Over time, the industry developed processing factories, auction systems and export networks centred in Colombo.

The country’s Tea Research Institute and the Sri Lanka Tea Board have since supported research, quality control and branding under the Ceylon name.

WHAT MAKES CEYLON TEA SPECIAL?

Teas are often named by region; Nuwara Eliya, Dimbulla, Uva and Kandy, and each area produces a different style.

High-grown teas (Nuwara Eliya) are light and floral; mid-elevation teas are full-bodied; Uva teas are aromatic and brisk.

Strict grading, auctions and the Lion Logo for genuine Ceylon tea help buyers identify origin and quality.

WHAT IS THE ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL IMPACT?

Tea remains a major employer and a pillar of rural economies in the central hills.

Estates support thousands of workers and many families depend on the crop for their livelihoods.

Tea also fuels tourism: tea trails, factory tours and colonial bungalows attract visitors who want to experience the tea country first-hand.

IS THE TEA LANDSCAPE PROTECTED?

Sri Lanka has moved to conserve its tea cultural landscape and improve sustainability.

The island’s tea regions are proposed for heritage recognition, and government and industry bodies promote good agricultural and environmental practices to ensure the industry remains viable.

The winter storms just can’t seem to take a hint: we’re over it. As snow covers much of the country and temperatures continue to drop—even in notoriously warm states—many folks have found themselves stuck indoors. Unfortunately, colder weather doesn’t just disrupt travel plans; it can also make your body much more vulnerable to sickness. And with flu cases still surging nationwide, everyone wants to know what it takes to stay healthy during winter storms.

Cold, dry air can weaken immune systems, while limited sunlight, less movement, and close indoor quarters all compound against you. But even if you’re snowed in, there are practical steps you can take to protect your health. Men’s Journal spoke with Shirin Peters, M.D., to learn her top strategies for staying healthy during winter storms.

Begin Supportive Remedies Immediately

Peters advises starting supportive remedies at the first sign of symptoms, rather than waiting until you’re already feeling sick. Acting early can help reduce the severity of an illness and shorten how long symptoms linger. Delaying care, on the other hand, often makes recovery slower and more uncomfortable. Supportive remedies may include using zinc or Vitamin C supplements, drinking warm fluids, or starting over-the-counter medications.

“The first sign of a cold is a critical window,” Peters says. “That’s when your body is just starting to respond, and taking action early can help reduce the severity of symptoms and potentially shorten how long you feel sick. Waiting even a day or two can make it harder to get ahead of it, especially during peak cold and flu season.”

Keep Nasal Passages Hydrated

Keeping nasal passages hydrated helps defend against irritation caused by cold outdoor air and dry indoor heat. This might look like running a humidifier, using a saline nasal spray or rinse, and staying hydrated throughout the day. If you own a neti pot, it’s the perfect time to bust it out.

Proper hydration in the nasal passages helps thin mucus, ease sinus pressure, and reduce congestion to support overall sinus health and lower the risk of infection. After all, nobody wants to spend several snow days glued to a box of tissues.

Prioritize Rest and Sleep

With winter storms already disrupting daily routines, it’s the perfect time to double down on rest and quality sleep. Proper rest gives your body the recovery time it needs to support immune function and fight off illness. No need to feel bad about it when everyone is stuck inside, anyway.

Stay Stocked on Medicine

When winter storm have you stuck inside, the last thing you want is to realize you’re out of cold and flu medicine. With pharmacies often closed or picked over during severe weather, having basics on hand saves you an unpleasant trip to the store. Keeping items like pain relievers, decongestants, and throat lozenges on hand can make riding out winter storms more manageable.

Which mountain range is known as the Water Tower of Asia? Discover why the Himalayas hold this title, their glacier systems, river networks, role in agriculture, climate influence, population dependence and interesting facts in this article.

Water is the backbone of life, agriculture, and civilisation. Across Asia, freshwater availability depends heavily on one vast mountain system that stores ice, feeds rivers and sustains billions of people. Because of this unmatched role, one mountain range is globally recognised as the Water Tower of Asia.

Water Tower of Asia

The Himalayas are known as the Water Tower of Asia. This massive mountain range contains the largest concentration of glaciers and permanent snow outside the polar regions. These frozen reserves act as natural water storage systems that release freshwater gradually into rivers throughout the year.

Why Are the Himalayas Called the Water Tower of Asia?

The Himalayas are called the Water Tower of Asia because they function like a giant natural reservoir. Snowfall and glaciers accumulate water over long periods and release it steadily through glacial melt, ensuring a continuous water supply even during dry seasons when rainfall is scarce.

Major Rivers Originating from the Himalayas

Many of Asia’s most important rivers originate from the Himalayan region. These include the Indus, Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Mekong, Salween, and Irrawaddy. These rivers provide drinking water, irrigation, and hydroelectric power across South Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia.

Role of Himalayan Glaciers

Himalayan glaciers act as long-term water banks. During summer months, controlled melting supplies water to rivers, preventing sudden shortages. This slow release helps stabilise river flow, reduces drought risk, and supports ecosystems downstream.

Importance for Agriculture and Food Security

River systems fed by the Himalayas irrigate some of the most fertile agricultural regions in the world. The Indo-Gangetic Plain, one of the largest food-producing regions globally, depends heavily on Himalayan water for crops such as rice, wheat, sugarcane, and pulses.

Impact on Climate and Rainfall

The Himalayas influence Asia’s climate by interacting with monsoon winds. They block cold Central Asian winds and force moisture-laden monsoon winds to rise, resulting in rainfall and snowfall. This cycle continuously replenishes glaciers and river systems.

Interesting Facts About the Water Tower of Asia

Largest Non-Polar Ice Reserve

The Himalayas contain the largest reserve of ice and snow outside the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Thousands of glaciers store freshwater accumulated over centuries, making the region Asia’s most important long-term water source.

Lifeline of Asian Civilisations

Ancient civilisations flourished along rivers fed by the Himalayas. From the Indus Valley to the Gangetic plains, Himalayan water has supported human settlement, agriculture, and cultural development for thousands of years.

Natural Seasonal Water Regulator

Himalayan glaciers regulate river flow by releasing meltwater gradually. This natural regulation ensures water availability during dry seasons and reduces extreme fluctuations between floods and droughts.

Multi-Nation Water Provider

Water from the Himalayas flows through several countries including India, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and parts of Southeast Asia. This makes the Himalayas geopolitically significant for regional water security.

Highly Sensitive to Climate Change

Himalayan glaciers are extremely sensitive to rising temperatures. Accelerated melting threatens long-term water availability, making glacier conservation critical for Asia’s environmental and economic future.

The Himalayas are known as the Water Tower of Asia because they store vast freshwater reserves in glaciers and snowfields and supply water to Asia’s major rivers. Keep reading for more such topics.