Coldest populated place on Earth

The frozen village

While extreme winter weather in parts of Asia, Europe and the US has brought normal life to a virtual standstill for millions of people, many other inhabited places manage to function where such sub-zero temperatures are routine. In the north-eastern Russian Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the village of Oymyakon is commonly called the coldest populated place on Earth. Situated in an area of Siberia nicknamed 'Stalin's Death Ring' (a former destination for political exiles), Oymyakon boasts an average winter temperature of -45C 

It's minus 61.2 degrees Celsius here!

Air temperatures of minus 61.2 degrees Celsius were reported last week. Daytime temperatures here rose to minus 53.9 degree Celsius. An intense spell of cold weather will stay in Omyakon with a population of 500 for several days more, according to weather forecasts. A temperature of -71.2C was recorded in Oymyakon on January 26, 1926. This is the lowest recorded temperature for any permanently inhabited location on Earth. It is also the lowest temperature recorded in the Northern hemisphere.

Life in extreme cold

Most homes in Oymyakon still burn coal and wood for heat and enjoy few modern conveniences - mobile phones, even if a service was available in the area, would not work in such extreme cold. Nothing grows there, a single shop provides the town's provisions and with jobs in short supply most locals resort to reindeer-breeding, hunting and ice-fishing for their livelihoods. Ironically, Oymyakon means 'non-freezing water', situated as it is to a nearby hot spring.

Nearest population centre, Yakutsk

Oymyakon is a three-day drive away from the nearest population centre, Yakutsk, the capital of Sakha and, perhaps the coldest city in the world. More than 210,000 people live there, despite a constant state of permafrost, and temperatures in the winter which average about -40C. The city still manages to run, however. It is served by two airports and is home to a university and several schools, theatres and museums. Residents reportedly leave their vehicles running all day and warn visitors against wearing glasses outside, as they will freeze to a person's face.

Oymyakon means 'non-freezing water'

Heavy frosts were reported in neighbouring settlements as well. Thus, air temperatures in the settlement of Ust-Nera, the Oimyakov district administrative centre, were minus 54.7 degrees Celsius. Ust-Nera's population is 8,500 people. The city of Yakutsk is 'lucky' to have much 'warmer' air temperatures of 35.7 degrees below zero. In the 21st century, the lowest recorded temperature in Oymyakon has been 64.5 degrees below zero. It was registered in 2002.