Yakutsk: The Coldest City on Earth
Yakutsk holds the title of the coldest city in the world, with average temperatures plunging to around -40 degrees Celsius for a minimum of three months each year. While certain areas such as Oymyakon, with a small population of 500, have recorded even lower winter temperatures, including a chilling -88 degrees Celsius recently, and while Antarctica experiences an average winter temperature of -76 degrees Celsius, they are not classified as cities like Yakutsk. The latter is home to over 280,000 residents.
Overview of Yakutsk
Serving as the capital of the Sakha Republic, Yakutsk is located in southern Siberia, Russia. This significant port city sits alongside the Lena River and was established in 1632. Yakutsk is notable for its educational institutions, including a university founded in 1956 and a branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The local population has adapted to the harsh winter climate by wearing thick fur clothing and living in homes designed to withstand frigid conditions. Residents often avoid wearing glasses outdoors to prevent them from freezing to their faces, and excursions outside during the cold months are typically limited to just a few minutes to avoid frostbite. Notably, dense fog frequently envelops the city, creating a unique atmospheric phenomenon.
The History of Yakutsk
In September of 1632, a small contingent of Russian soldiers constructed a fort on the right bank of the Lena River, approximately seventy kilometers downstream from the present-day location of the city. Unfortunately, during the spring, this fort was inundated by floodwaters. Following an extensive search, the fort was relocated across the river to the left bank and renamed Yakutsk. Since then, the city has evolved into a vital commercial and administrative hub for the eastern part of Siberia.