What Is World's Coldest City? It Is In Russia, Records -71° C, Carrying A Winter Survival Kit Won't Be Enough!

By Shreyangi Singh

Oymyakon, located in the Sakha Republic of Russia, is renowned as one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth. With temperatures plunging as low as -67.7°C (-89.9°F) in 1933, it holds the record for the lowest officially recorded temperature in the Northern Hemisphere.

This remote village, situated in the Siberian wilderness, experiences extreme subarctic conditions due to its high latitude and elevation. Oymyakon's harsh climate is characterized by long, brutally cold winters, where the ground remains frozen for the majority of the year.

the coldest city

The ground surrounding Oymyakon is permanently frozen. Average temperatures range from -50°F in December to +50°F in August, with an annual mean of zero degrees. Daylight in winter can last just 3 hours while in summer it can extend to 21 hours. There are no hotels in Oymyakon, but several families are said to be willing to host guests for the night.

Oymyakon loves visitors; the mayor will give any guest a certificate celebrating a visit to the "Pole of the Cold." The town is very remote; the nearest city is in Yakutsk, a 3-day drive away.

For the most part the landscape is white year-round. Just about everything is covered with snow and ice. The principle industry is still very traditional, with fur trading and ice fishing stalwarts of the local economy. Despite the endless snow, the views are fantastic. The arctic location of Oymyakon yields some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world, and they are very popular with photographers.

Life in Oymyakon is challenging, and residents have adapted to the severe conditions. Houses are constructed with thick walls to withstand the cold, and locals rely on traditional practices such as reindeer herding and ice fishing for sustenance. The region's unique climate and isolation have contributed to its reputation as an intriguing yet unforgiving corner of the world.

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