Life in Oymyakon: Surviving the Coldest Place on Earth

TLDROymyakon, the coldest inhabited place on Earth, endures extreme temperatures as low as -71.2 degrees Celsius. With a population of only 500, the residents of Oymyakon face a winter that lasts almost eight months. Nikolai, a woodcutter, and his nurse wife, Oksana, navigate their daily lives in this freezing village. They rely on wood for heating and livestock feed, and their children attend school even in extreme cold. Despite the challenges, the people of Oymyakon embrace their unique way of life.

Key insights

❄️Oymyakon holds the record for the coldest temperature ever recorded in an inhabited place: -71.2 degrees Celsius.

🌡️The winter in Oymyakon lasts for nearly eight months, with temperatures often dropping to -50 to -60 degrees Celsius during the day.

🔥In order to survive the extreme cold, the residents of Oymyakon rely on wood for heating and cooking.

🏫Despite the freezing temperatures, children in Oymyakon still attend school, although it may close on the coldest days.

🌲Nikolai and his family spend their summers cutting grass and gathering wood to prepare for the long winter.

Q&A

How do the people of Oymyakon cope with such extreme cold?

The residents of Oymyakon survive the extreme cold by relying on wood for heating, wearing multiple layers of warm clothing, and staying indoors as much as possible. They also have insulated homes and use methods like melting ice for water when temperatures drop too low.

Do people in Oymyakon lead a normal life despite the harsh conditions?

While life in Oymyakon is undoubtedly challenging, the residents have adapted to their environment and continue their daily activities. They attend school, work, and take care of their livestock. Though they face hardships, they embrace their unique way of life.

What is the main source of heating and cooking in Oymyakon?

Wood is the primary source of heating and cooking in Oymyakon. The residents rely on wood-burning stoves and fireplaces to keep their homes warm during the long winter months.

How do the residents manage to get food and supplies in such a remote location?

There is a shop in Oymyakon that sells food, household goods, and clothing. However, most families in Oymyakon are self-sufficient, relying on hunting, fishing, and growing their own food. They also stock up on supplies before winter arrives.

Why do the children still go to school in such extreme cold weather?

Education is highly valued in Oymyakon, and the children still go to school even in extremely cold weather. School closures only happen on the coldest days, when it is deemed unsafe for the children to be outside for extended periods.

Timestamped Summary

00:03Oymyakon holds the record for the coldest temperature ever recorded in an inhabited place: -71.2 degrees Celsius.

00:20The winter in Oymyakon lasts for nearly eight months, with temperatures often dropping to -50 to -60 degrees Celsius during the day.

01:07Residents of Oymyakon rely on wood for heating and cooking, as well as stockpiling hay to feed their livestock throughout the long winter.

03:36Children in Oymyakon still attend school, unless temperatures drop to -58 degrees Celsius or below, in which case the school is closed.

10:32The residents of Oymyakon spend their summers preparing for winter by cutting grass, gathering wood, and stockpiling supplies.