This is the coldest city in the world, with temperatures dropping as low as −71 degrees Celsius

Yakutsk, the capital of the Sakha Republic in Siberia, Russia, lies on the banks of the Lena River. It is not an isolated village, but a real city with around 300,000 inhabitants.

It is precisely this urban normality, immersed in an extraordinary winter, that makes it unique: it is the coldest city in the world, yet life goes on, albeit with clear differences compared to places with milder climates.

In summer, temperatures can rise above +29°C, but winter is extreme.

The lowest temperature ever recorded is −71°C. During the winter months, daylight hours are very limited, only about four hours in January. National Geographic notes that at times it is so cold that the ground cannot be dug (not even for burials), airplanes cannot operate normally, and crops cannot be grown.

Every trip outside is carefully planned, with no unnecessary detours, because the body—more than traffic or schedules—dictates timing and choices. The risk of frostbite is high.

Many people wrap themselves in at least ten layers of clothing, making movement difficult. Cars are often kept running or covered to prevent freezing.

A typical sight in the city is the fish and meat market: the port on the Lena River supplies the city, and in winter fish and meat freeze naturally in the open air, without the need for refrigerators. Meanwhile, fresh vegetables are rare.

Beneath their feet lies another challenge: permafrost (permanently frozen ground). The soil remains frozen year-round. For this reason, many buildings are constructed on stilts; where they are not, they risk sinking over time, as indoor heat can thaw the ground beneath them.

“KORÇA BOOM”