Yakutsk, the Coldest City in the World
July 16, 2010
Yakutsk is a city located in Siberia, Russia, and is considered one of the coldest cities in the world. The small city with 200,000 inhabitants is the capital of the Sakha Republic and the largest city in the region. The city is a mix of cultures, home to both the descendants of Russians from the west, which came to the region to work in the mines of gold and diamonds, and the Yakut, who for years were nomadic. The city can reach -55 º C, although the locals are accustomed to such frigid temperatures.
The city, founded in 1632, initially was a strong Cossack. He later became a prominent city where, in the nineteenth century, were discovered gold and diamond mines. Now here are many companies engaged in mining of these two materials.
The city even today is a mixture of traditional cultures. While many traditions were lost during the years before perestroika, the Evenki and Yakut still form an important part of the population. The Yakut Turkic peoples from northern and central Eurasia, and have historically been devoted to hunting, fishing and reindeer herding and horses. Today you can see traditional houses, or yurts, in nearby towns. Several of them preserve the tradition of olonkho, a traditional form of writing and reciting poetry on the life of the people of Sakha. Another trend is important are the ewenki, another nomadic people who lived in cuoluozi, large tents. Even today they are representatives of these peoples, traditionally engaged in raising horses.
In this city you can recognize the descendants of nomadic hunters and reindeer that once roamed the icy region each year. Most people wear fur coats, and there a topic as controversial as the hunting of animals for their fur clothing is not a problematic issue, because wearing fur here is not a luxury but a necessity.
The city is connected with other towns along the road Lena, but getting there should take the ferry along the river in summer or cross the frozen river in winter. Many people visit this region when excursions to Lake Baikal. Therefore, both Yakutsk and the wider region attract many eco-tourists and scientists. It recommends visiting the nearby town of Magan, a traditional village where even today preserves the traditions typical of Yakut, such as reindeer husbandry.
Yakutsk has a few theaters and museums. Highlights include the Museum of the Mammoth and museums devoted to history and culture of the Sakha region. Another famous site is the theater of Sakha, or Sakha, who now has a new building located in one of the most important squares, the Plaza Oyuunsky. It is worth visiting the Spassky Monastery, which dates from 1664.
Another landmark of the city is Kulakovsky Street, one of the main streets. Yakutsk University hosts the Academy of Sciences of Russia, and has one of the major centers of study cosmofísica and permafrost.
For the cold steppes of this part of Siberia can still find ancient towers of the fortresses. There is Several Ostrog dating from 1683. The Lensky Ostrog, or strong Lensky, who later became the city, was founded in 1632.
Yakutsk is without doubt one of the coldest cities on Earth, where the average temperature of -10 º C. slashing During the long winter months, the city reaches -50 degrees C, although during the short summer months the temperature may surprise more than 30 º C.
The Lena River, which runs from the city, attracts many tourists during the summer months. Several cruise ships pass through the city, and tourists can enjoy the beauty of Siberian nature. The best views can be enjoyed near the Lena Pillars. The pillars are a rock formation that taper along the side of the river Lena.
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