Driest Cities in North Korea

Top 100 cities ranked by driest cities

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · North Korea

Driest Cities — North Korea

1 Namyang 17 23.1"

2 Namyang-nodongjagu 17 23.1"

3 Onsŏng 17 23.1"

4 Sŏngnae-ri 17 24.9"

5 Hoeryŏng 17 25.2"

6 Musan-ŭp 17 25.7"

7 Aoji-ri 17 26.3"

8 Ŭndŏk 17 26.3"

9 Satan 17 26.5"

10 Komusan Il-tong 17 26.6"

11 Puryŏng-ŭp 17 26.6"

12 Chongjin 17 27.1"

13 Ranam 17 27.1"

14 Sŭngam-nodongjagu 17 27.1"

15 Kyŏngsŏng 17 27.3"

16 Yŏnsa-ŭp 17 27.7"

17 Ŏrang 17 27.8"

18 Hoemul-li 17 27.9"

19 Hyesan 13 28.2"

20 Hyesan-dong 13 28.2"

21 Sŏnbong 18 28.2"

22 Unggi 18 28.2"

23 Ungsang-nodongjagu 18 28.2"

24 Rajin 18 28.3"

25 Hau-ri 17 28.4"

26 Hwasŏng 17 28.4"

27 Kilju 17 28.7"

28 Myŏngch’ŏn 17 29.1"

29 Myŏnggan-dong 17 29.1"

30 Hwadae 17 29.2"

31 Kapsan-ŭp 13 30.1"

32 Samjiyŏn-ŭp 13 30.1"

33 Changam-ch’on 03 30.6"

34 Iwŏn-ŭp 03 31.9"

35 Chunggang 01 32.5"

36 Sinp’o 03 32.7"

37 Hongwŏn 03 32.8"

38 Yuktae-dong 03 33.0"

39 Samho-rodongjagu 03 33.3"

40 Hamhŭng 03 33.7"

41 Hŭngnam 03 33.7"

42 Yŏnggwang-ŭp 03 33.9"

43 Sŭngjibaegam 13 34.6"

44 Chasŏng 01 34.6"

45 Changyŏn 06 36.0"

46 Kanggye 01 36.3"

47 Kwail-ŭp 06 36.3"

48 Songhwa 06 36.3"

49 Sijung 01 36.4"

50 Sindo 11 36.4"

51 Manp’o 01 36.5"

52 Sinsang-ni 03 37.0"

53 Chaeryŏng-ni 15 38.0"

54 T’aet’an-ŭp 06 38.3"

55 Sinŭiju 11 38.4"

56 Yŏmju-ŭp 11 38.4"

57 Uiju 11 38.4"

58 Ŭllyul 06 38.4"

59 Samch’ŏn 06 38.7"

60 Kowŏn-ŭp 03 39.1"

61 Sakchu-ŭp 11 39.1"

62 Namp’o 14 39.2"

63 Kwaksan 11 39.4"

64 Sil-li 15 39.4"

65 Anak 07 39.6"

66 Ŭnch’ŏn-ŭp 06 39.6"

67 Chŏngju 11 39.7"

68 Anju 15 39.8"

69 Sinanju 15 39.8"

70 Sinch’ŏn-ŭp 06 39.8"

71 Ryonggang-ŭp 14 39.8"

72 Yŏch’im-dong 01 39.8"

73 Kop’ung 01 39.8"

74 Kusŏng-si 11 39.8"

75 Panghyŏn-dong 11 39.8"

76 Yŏngbyŏn 11 39.8"

77 Kujang-ŭp 11 39.9"

78 Kaech’ŏn 15 40.1"

79 Ch’ŏsal-li 15 40.2"

80 Paek'ak 15 40.2"

81 Songnim-ni 07 40.3"

82 Songwŏn 01 40.4"

83 Kangsŏn 15 40.5"

84 Man’gyŏngdae-ri 12 40.5"

85 Songwŏn-ŭp 01 40.7"

86 Chaeryŏng-ŭp 06 40.9"

87 Sinmak 07 40.9"

88 Hŭkkyo-ri 07 40.9"

89 Hwangju-ŭp 07 40.9"

90 Sariwŏn-si 07 41.1"

91 Sunch’ŏn 15 41.2"

92 Pukchil-lodongjagu 11 41.3"

93 Tŏkch’ŏn 15 41.3"

94 Chunghwa 12 41.4"

95 Ongjin 06 41.4"

96 Twimoraet’ŏ 12 41.4"

97 P’yŏngsŏng 15 41.6"

98 Sunan 12 41.6"

99 Sŭngho 1-tong 12 41.6"

100 Wŏnsan 09 41.9"

The driest cities in North Korea receive the least annual precipitation, often characterized by arid landscapes and abundant sunshine. Namyang receives just 23.1 inches of precipitation annually.

Dry climates offer benefits including more sunny days, less seasonal affective disorder, lower humidity, and reduced mold and allergen concerns. These cities are often located in the desert Southwest or other arid regions with dramatic natural landscapes.

Water management is a critical concern for the driest cities, many of which rely on distant water sources, desalination, or strict conservation measures. As populations grow in these areas, sustainable water use and drought resilience become increasingly important priorities.

Did You Know?

1. Namyang gets just 23.1" of precipitation per year — less than many cities get in a single month.
2. Most of the driest cities are in the desert Southwest, where evaporation often exceeds precipitation by a factor of 10 or more.
3. Water conservation is a way of life in these cities, with many implementing xeriscaping requirements and water usage restrictions.

Browse Rankings by Region

North Korea — By Region

Chagang Kangwŏn-do North Hamgyong North Hwanghae P'yŏngan-bukto Pyongyang South Hamgyong South Hwanghae South Pyongan Yanggang-do

By Country

Afghanistan Albania Algeria Angola Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bangladesh Belarus Belgium Benin Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czechia Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Estonia Ethiopia Finland France Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Guadeloupe Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Haiti Honduras Hong Kong Hungary India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Ivory Coast Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Lithuania Luxembourg Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Mali Malta Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Moldova Mongolia Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nepal New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria North Korea North Macedonia Norway Oman Pakistan Palestinian Territory Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Republic of the Congo Reunion Romania Russia Rwanda Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Somalia South Africa South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand The Netherlands Togo Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Venezuela Vietnam Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe