The sun rarely shines in Linfen. It rises in the morning, of course, but its rays barely make it past the thick cloud of smog that hangs over this northern Chinese city.

At street level, residents regularly wear masks to avoid inhaling too much of the putrid air.

Linfen has the dubious distinction of being one of the most polluted cities in the world, a place where taking a simple breath can make you ill. While nearby coal mines are a major culprit, the city is also overrun with automobiles. Cars and motorcycles are the main mode of transport there, as public transit is almost nonexistent. The city averages roughly one bus for every 2,000 people -- one of the lowest rates in China.

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Source: The Vancouver Sun (www.canada.com/vancouversun)