Living in the World's Coldest City: Yakutsk, Siberia
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Chapter 1: The Bitter Cold of Yakutsk
In Yakutsk, Siberia, where average temperatures plummet below -50°F, the city is also a surprising treasure trove, housing 20% of the world's diamonds.
Picture a place where merely stepping outside for ten minutes can freeze your eyelashes. A location so frigid that running becomes an exhausting ordeal. How would you manage? For 280,000 residents, this chilling reality shapes their everyday existence.
Nestled deep in Siberia and often enveloped in fog, Yakutsk holds the title of the coldest city globally.
What Is Life Like in Yakutsk?
While summers can reach a balmy 77°F (25°C) in July, the season is fleeting, and it's the relentless winters that define life in this unforgiving locale. The lowest temperature recorded here is a staggering -83.9°F (-64.4°C). For anyone daring enough to step outside, inadequate clothing can lead to severe consequences. Residents typically don at least three layers before venturing out.
But it's not just the freezing temperatures that pose challenges; fatigue plays a significant role as well. Many Yakutians find themselves stopping by a neighbor’s home during their journey, shedding a layer of clothing and sipping hot beverages to regain warmth before continuing. The extreme cold makes walking so arduous that these brief respites are essential, especially for those who walk rather than rely on taxis.
Adding to the ambiance is the thick mist that hangs in the air. Photographer Amos Chapple from New Zealand described it perfectly: "The mist from people's breath, car exhaust, and factory emissions never dissipates. It just lingers, creating a perpetual haze throughout the day and night."
So why do people choose to live in such a dismal, frigid place?
The answer lies beneath the surface. Yakutsk is rich in natural resources, including substantial diamond deposits. The local mines contribute to 20% of the global diamond supply, alongside other valuable minerals like oil, gold, and silver.
Chapter 2: Life Beyond the City
This video captures the challenges of raising 22 children in Yakutsk's extreme temperatures, demonstrating the unique family dynamics in the world's coldest city.
In the nearby villages, conditions worsen. Houses are constructed from wood and require layers of insulation, whether from oak or snow, to combat the harsh cold. Families burn over 60 cubic meters of firewood each winter to stay warm, a necessity so vital that children learn to chop logs from a young age.
With vegetation scarce, diets consist mainly of calorie-dense foods, like fatty pancakes, which provide essential energy. Surprisingly, local cattle thrive in the cold, making dairy products a staple.
Many indigenous men continue traditional practices of hunting and crafting in the more remote villages. Their lifestyle revolves around the natural rhythms of hunting and fishing, the latter only feasible during the brief summer months when they can create holes in the ice.
Due to frozen pipes, most toilets are outdoors, which adds an element of urgency to their use—no one wants to take chances in such conditions.
Life in Yakutsk is undeniably harsh, but existence in the surrounding villages demands even greater resilience.
The stark reality of Yakutsk and the surrounding region is far from the idyllic images often associated with Siberia; these are rugged territories where modern conveniences cannot mitigate the challenges of nature. Yet, despite the adversity, people continue to call this place home.
While we might grumble about our own inconveniences—like the weather or a mediocre meal—those in Yakutsk face life-or-death decisions daily. They cannot afford to forget a layer of clothing or neglect their chores because their survival depends on it.
This determination to persevere, to embrace each new day, is a testament to the strength of the Yakutsk community. How would you respond in their situation? Would you push through your tasks, or allow yourself to be sidetracked?
If they can endure such conditions, what’s stopping you from overcoming your own challenges?
This documentary explores the extreme living conditions in Yakutsk, illustrating the resilience of its inhabitants in the face of harsh winters.