Yakutsk, Regional capital in eastern Siberia, Russia
Yakutsk serves as the capital of the Sakha Republic in eastern Siberia, spreading along the Lena River at roughly 95 meters above sea level. Wide streets are lined with buildings raised on concrete pillars, a necessary adaptation to the permanently frozen ground beneath.
Russian Cossacks built a fortress called Lensky Ostrog in 1632, which grew into an administrative hub for eastern Siberia. The settlement expanded through fur trade and served as a departure point for expeditions venturing farther east.
The Sakha Academic Theater presents performances in the Yakut language, preserving indigenous stage arts from the Sakha Republic. Visitors can observe local festivals that include traditional throat singing, horse races, and craft demonstrations, reflecting how the Yakut community expresses its identity.
Public transport includes heated buses and taxis, while the airport maintains connections to larger Russian cities even when winter temperatures hover around minus 40 degrees Celsius (minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit). Layered warm clothing is essential during winter months, and many shops are located inside covered passages to shelter visitors from the cold.
The outdoor fish market displays completely frozen fish standing upright, arranged in rows like crops throughout the entire winter season. This arrangement remains stable because the cold locks the fish into their positions without further support needed.
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