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For climate overall, I'd say Norway, followed by Canada, Sweden and Russia.
For climate range, definitely Japan. It has climates for almost all tastes all within a short distance. Chile could be second in the ranking, having practically every climate on Earth in its territories. Italy and Argentina aren't too bad too.
US and China have obviously the widest range of all, but their size is too big to really feel the differences.
There are only a few contries, which actually have good climates without any exception... Canada, for example, has a lot of great climates to offer, but it actually still has some climates, which I wouldn't really like (like the southern continental BC-climates with relatively hot summers and the BC maritime climates without real winters)... That also counts for Russia (probably over 95% of that country have a great climate, but there are still some bad ones). Scandinavian climates are all pretty great overall, but Norway and Sweden still have some pretty mild winter-climates, while Finland actually has none of those. Iceland doesn't really have a bad climate, too.
Location: Near Tours, France about 47°10'N 0°25'E
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I'll be chauvinistic but in terms of climatical diversity France isn't bad, especially compared to its size. From the cool oceanic on the channel, to the drier/warmer oceanic of Atlantic big south-west, to mediterranean in south-east, passing from more continentalized forms of all those climates, some humid subtropical around Toulouse and Lyon, pannonian-like in Burgundy, southern German-like climate in Lorraine and Alsace, and finally all the variations due to the extremely varied elevations, from low lying plains to the high peaks of the Alps and pyerennes (3000 to 4807m), passing thru "average montains" of Jura and massif central (around 1000/2000m), highs plateaus (1000m) and many hilly areas (below 1000 meters); which give huge scape of climatical variations. Plus the tropical climate of many oversea departements, and some sub artic ones...
Obviously, the giant countries such as Russia, USA, Canada, Brazil, etc. will have variety, but since that's with the condition to travel as much as if we change continent, compared to their size I find them quite homogenous.
In Europe, Spain is also among the most varied climates, due to the Atlantic and mediterranean facades, plateaus, various mountain ranges, which created close very distinct climates, often with sharp contrasts.
USA would have the biggest variety. You have everything from tropical to deserts to extremely cold winters. The only thing missing is a true equatorial climate like SE Asia or the very northern parts of Australia.
Australia has a big variety too, ski fields to true tropical to desert climates both dry and humid that would give the Middle East some stiff competition. The major missing piece of the puzzle is very cold winters.
Spain, Greece and Italy have the luckiest climates for me.
In terms of climatic diversity I would say Italy, France and Spain because in a relatively small area they have a wide range of climates: humid temperate, mediterranean, oceanic, and alpine climates (even semi-arid climates in southern Spain).
historically its been western Europe that has experienced the best climate throughout history, hence their quicker development and resulting hegemony over the rest of the world for such long periods of time...
I don't think Russia is that popular climate-wise. For its size, it lacks in diversity. Argentina is more diverse despite being considerably smaller.
I'll say the US. Almost every climate is represented so you don't have to move overseas to find a suitable environment. I also has the best Dfa climates in the world imo. The presence of the Gulf of Mexico allows for rather abundant precipitation year-round. Canada to the north and Rockies to the west enable rather "interesting" weather patterns. Significantly better than Asian Dfa climes, which often get ruined by the huge Siberian anticyclone in winter and the gloomy, overly wet summers.
I guess if continental climates are your thing, the US is one of the best. Asian climates at similar latitudes to me are even more extreme:
They're Asian Dwa climates, though. Probably unsatisfying for a continental climate fan, with nearly snowless winters, soggy, sticky summers. Southeastern Europe has a less extreme version of a Northeast US climate, but with higher cloudiness, less rain and warmer nights. Even out to Central Asia:
Spain, Greece and Italy have the luckiest climates for me.
In terms of climatic diversity I would say Italy, France and Spain because in a relatively small area they have a wide range of climates: humid temperate, mediterranean, oceanic, and alpine climates (even semi-arid climates in southern Spain).
I would agree with those, at least in climates I like. Though the choice would more obvious if I were allowed to merge countries: Those countries are at a disadvantage size-wise.
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