Oymyakon is a small village located in the north-eastern Russian Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).
It is commonly considered the coldest populated place on Earth.
Ironically, Oymyakon means “non-freezing water”, situated as it is to a nearby hot spring.
Before the 1920s and 30s, Oymyakon was a seasonal stop for reindeer herders.
Most homes in Oymyakon still burn coal and wood for heat and enjoy few modern conveniences.
Fur is considered a luxury in the West but it is the only thing that keeps you warm.
Nothing grows here so all people eat is reindeer and horsemeat.
Life in Oymyakon is tough.
Batteries lose power faster.
Metal sticks to skin.
Cars cannot be started without lighting a bonfire beneath the fuel tank.
Axle grease also freezes and is warmed with a blowtorch.
The local power station burns coal to keep hot water flowing to the homes.
When coal deliveries are irregular the power station starts burning wood.
Another problem posed by frigid temperature is burying of dead bodies.
It takes two or three days to dig a grave in frozen ground.
The hot coals are then pushed to the side and a hole couple of inches deep is dug.
The process is repeated for several days until the hole is deep enough to bury the coffin.
Tourists make the journey simply to experience what its like to be in a place that cold.
-55 degree centigrade
Boiling water freezes when throw into the air.
Photos:askyakutia.com,Vyacheslav,yakutiatravel.com
Sources:1,2,3,4
