Countries with the cleanest air in the world

（People's Daily Online）  08:02, January 15, 2013

Edited and Translated by Yao Chun, People's Daily Online

In recent days, Beijing, Hebei, Shandong, Henan and Jiangxi have suffered very serious air pollution and Beijing is choked in the densest smog than ever. Many residents have closed windows and doors to avoid breathing the polluted air. The government also asks the citizens to stay home and wear masks when going out.

In 2012, the World Health Organization issued a global air quality ranking and Estonia, Mauritius and Canada rank the top three. According to statistics, these countries are benefited from their low population density, superior climate conditions and strict control measures on air pollution.

Top 1 Estonia

Estonia lies on the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea. Its capital is Tallinn. According to the global air quality ranking issued by the WHO, Estonia enjoys the cleanest air in the world. Estonia, with 47 percent of its territory covered by forests, has numerous fantastic gulfs, straits, islands, lakes and marshes.

Because of its outstanding air quality, Estonia attracts many health-minded tourists from all over the world.

Top 2 Mauritius

Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean about 2,000 kilometers off the south east coast of the African continent. Mauritius is surrounded by coral reefs. Mauritius possesses many different landforms. Narrow plains stretch along the coast. In the middle there are plateau mountains, sierras and isolated peaks.

Top 3 Canada

Canada is a North American country consisting of 10 provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean.