The coldest city in the world

With temperatures always around -40 degrees C at least three months of the year, Yakutsk in eastern Siberia, Russia is considered the world's coldest city, according to National Geographic.

Some other places have more extreme weather, such as about 500 people, about 925km east of Yakutsk, which recently experienced a record cold of -67 degrees Celsius, or Antarctica with average temperature in winter at -60 degrees Celsius, but nowhere is considered a fully functioning city like Yakutsk , home to more than 280,000 people. Because the ground freezes all year round, most buildings are built on piles, otherwise, the house will settle down due to the temperature produced by the house melting the permafrost.

Thick fog and snow covered Yakutsk.(Video: YouTube).

Rich underground resources offset the challenges of the region's weather. Local mines account for about one-fifth of the world's diamond production. In addition, Yakutsk has abundant reserves of natural gas, oil, gold, silver and many other minerals.

In 2013, Steeve Iuncker, who grew up in the Swiss Alps, had an average temperature of -4 degrees Celsius from December to the end of February, deciding to experience the effects of cold weather on the body and life. living. Iuncker remembers when the host's daughter came to pick up at the airport, she looked at him from head to toe and asked to bring enough hats, gloves, scarves and boots.

Frosty street in Yakutsk.(Photo: Steeve Iuncker).

"Who knows just walking out to catch a taxi needs to pay attention," Iuncker said. In Yakutsk, every time you go out you need to plan carefully. "Do not go around, do not hang around or look at goods. Here the cold decides everything. Or how your body responds to the cold will determine your actions."

Iuncker noticed that the locals visited each other quite a lot, but the visit only lasted a few minutes."They came in, took off their jackets, drank a hot cup of tea, ate a jam bread before putting on their clothes and went outside, as if the neighbor's house was a stop along their journey , " Iuncker said.

Fish all day without outdoor chilling in Yakutsk.(Video: YouTube).

Iuncker has to adjust his work habits. His two-lens camera can only take pictures in about 15 minutes. After that time, the film roll will freeze and the film may crack.

The scenery in Yakutsk is somewhat fanciful with thick fog covering much of the city, but the ground can easily deceive riders."It's easy to get lost because you can't see more than 10 meters in front of you and the streets are the same. That's what you don't want to encounter most because of the risk of frostbite , " Iuncker said.

"The Siberian people are as cold-tolerant as we are, but they are better prepared , " Iuncker admitted after traveling to Yakutsk.