In Siberia, Russia, Yakutsk is commonly known as the coldest city in the world. Locals have to bundle up before venturing outside, with temperatures dipping below zero most of the winter. Some 355,000 people call the small town home, with many residents working in the diamond mines. During the winter, the location becomes ice cold, and on Feb. 5, 1891, a record-breaking temperature of -147.4º F was recorded. The city sees little sunlight during the winter months, and in January it’s exposed to less than 4 hours of sunlight each day. Earlier this month, locals were hit with -113º F temperatures. Despite the icy lows, residents in the Siberian city continued life as normal, though schools didn’t open. To brave the chilly temperatures, people have to wrap up in 22 pounds of clothing. It’s not cheap to dress appropriately. Down coats average $500 each. Those who can afford coats made of mink or fox fur will shell out $3,000 or more. Add a hat made of fox fur and you can tack on another $300. Residents have learned to dress in layers. One woman, named Dayana, demonstrated how she gets dressed for the day, starting with a turtleneck and leggings. She then adds a fleece-lined zip-up and padded pants. To keep her feet warm, she opts for traditional Yakutian boots made out of reindeer skin. In addition to covering her head, she also wears mittens with beaded Yakutian patterns and fully covers her face, explaining that exposed parts of the skin can get frostbite. The extreme temperatures affect more than skin — locals often keep their cars running or covered completely so they don’t freeze up. Local food largely consists of meat and fish, as little vegetation can survive the cold temperatures. So the next time the temperature where you live dips into the teens, be grateful you don't live in Siberia.
