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When talking about the rainiest places, the first thing a Russian thinks about is St. Petersburg: there is a series of anecdotes on this score. But according to international standards, this is a fairly dry place - 636 mm annual precipitation (including snow), there is nothing to talk about. Although the snow in St. Petersburg is often wet, like rain. Karelia, the Baltic states and even Great Britain are not leaders here either.
There are places in the world where the rains do not just fall, but "live" there constantly, practically without stopping. Gills for the locals would definitely not hurt! The annual precipitation rates of the champion places in this species are as follows:
- 11 871 mm
- 11,777 mm
- 11,770 mm
- 11 516 mm
- 10 450 mm
- 10 299 mm
- 10,272 mm
- 9,763 mm
- 9 293 mm
- 8 169 mm.
This "watery" atmosphere is due to the proximity of the ocean, equator and high altitude (mountains) above sea level. However, these places are by no means dull: the active sun evaporates excess moisture, the rest is happily absorbed by lush vegetation.
Wet Asia: 11-meter deep pool without sides
The top and bottom spots in the Top Ten are in Asia. 8000 mm of precipitation per year in China falls on the Buddhist shrine - Mount Emeishan . Chinese Buddhists have 4 sacred mountains:
- Putoshan
- Emeishan
- Wutaishan
- Jiuhuashan.
Pilgrims ascend the mountain to worship the shrines and meditate at an altitude of 3000 m. Pilgrims are greeted by constant humid fog and at times primordial thunderstorms. The top of the mountain is continuously washed by rains, and lightning strikes it 60 days a year. Mount Emeishan is also the record holder for their number.
The Indian city of Cherrapunji floods more seriously - 11,777 mm of rain per year (2nd line of the list). The air here is so humid that plants calmly take moisture from it. This climate allowed the locals not to build bridges, but to grow them. The Indians in Cherrapunji weave bamboo bridges (as in all of China), but here they will not last long: the moisture eats away at the bamboo. Therefore, the locals came up with the idea of weaving the roots of living rubber trees, resistant to moisture, into bridges. Irrigated by rains, roots grow, entwining bridges. After a few years, the grown living supports reach the opposite shore, forming a durable strong connection.
Mausinram , an Indian village high in the mountains, has been featured in the Guinness Book for its rains. 11,871 mm is much higher than Everest, even if it's an annual rate. Mausinram floats in a constant fog. Traditional Asian wicker hats here have a different shape - it's also a cloak.
Wet Africa: an unexpected turn
The African continent has always been associated with the scorching sun and sweltering dry land. However, the combination of "mountains + proximity to the equator" creates stunningly rainy corners here. Such, for example, as a mountain village near a volcano in Cameroon, Debunja . Typically, more than 10,000 mm of water per year is poured into this mountainous area (6th line of the list), and in 2019 the amount of precipitation exceeded 14,000 mm.
And the wettest island in Africa is considered the Bioko island (5th place in the hit parade), which is famous for its abundant impenetrable forests, reservoirs, waterfalls.
South America: rainforests
Forests in Colombia are called rainforests, as they grow in conditions of almost 100% moisture. The village of Tutunendo in Colombia also receives over 11,000 mm of rain every year (row 3). Here, in the 70s of the XX century, a world record was set by rains - 26,000 mm poured onto the village. This record has not yet been broken.
Fabulous Hawaiian Islands: Water Festival
On the Hawaiian archipelago, there are 3 points from our hit parade at once:
- Kukui (9,293 mm)
- Waialeale (9,763 mm)
- Big God (10,272 mm).
Hawaii is created to delight and conquer with beauty. Even endless torrential rains create vivid spectacles there. On Mount Kukui (Maui Island), there is a unique forest covered with moss. It is difficult to move along it, but the spectacle is magnificent, so there are wooden paths and bridges for tourists.
The former volcano Waialeale (Kuai Island) is famous for its rainbows. The mountain is shrouded in fine rain like a shawl. As soon as the sun's rays cut through the clouds, Waialeale blooms with many rainbows. Tourists come here specifically to admire the symbol of Hawaii.
Another attraction is Big Bog Mountain (Maui Island). There, rainwater works its way through the soft peat soil, forming numerous cascades of small waterfalls, which also attract many lovers of the beauty of nature.
New Zealand, South Island
The main attraction of the island is the stunning fjords. The most famous fjord is located here - Myford Sound . But the island is famous not only for them. Abundant rainfall (11,516 mm per year) maintains the high water level of the Cropp River , which crosses picturesque gorges. A transparent river with a white stone bed is one of the most beautiful and amazing places on our planet.
