Extremely harsh environments are described in this brief nonfiction text. The locations of these areas are identified on a world map. Facts and photographs describe each area. The coldest place on earth includes a disturbing photo of feet deformed by frostbite. The most polluted place on earth section explains that Linfen, China has so much dust and smog from the coal mines that many people have breathing problems and often wear masks when they go outside. Only two pages each are devoted to information about the hottest, wettest, driest, most polluted, and most remote places on earth.