The coldest place on Earth is Oymyakon, a village in the Sakha Republic of eastern Siberia, Russia.
Why is Oymyakon so cold?
Oymyakon's extreme cold is a result of several factors:
- Location: Oymyakon sits in a valley surrounded by mountains, trapping cold air.
- Latitude: Its high latitude (63°N) means it receives less direct sunlight during the winter months.
- Continental Climate: Oymyakon experiences a continental climate, characterized by large temperature swings between seasons.
- Clear Skies: The Siberian winter is often characterized by clear skies, allowing heat to escape into space.
How cold does it get in Oymyakon?
Oymyakon holds the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded in a permanently inhabited place. On February 6, 1924, the temperature plummeted to -67.7°C (-90°F).
Living in Oymyakon
Despite the extreme cold, people do live in Oymyakon. They have adapted to the harsh conditions by:
- Wearing warm clothing: Layers of fur and wool are essential for surviving the cold.
- Heating homes: Wood-burning stoves are used to keep homes warm.
- Maintaining a traditional lifestyle: Many residents engage in traditional activities like reindeer herding and fishing.
Other Extremely Cold Places
While Oymyakon is the coldest permanently inhabited place, there are other locations that experience extremely low temperatures:
- Antarctica: The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth was -93.2°C (-135.8°F) at the Vostok Station in Antarctica.
- Greenland: The Greenland ice sheet is another extremely cold region, with temperatures dropping to -60°C (-76°F) in the winter.
