Oymyakon, Remote village in Sakha Republic, Russia
Oymyakon is a remote settlement in the Sakha Republic of Russia, positioned in highlands along the Indigirka River. Two valleys surround the area and restrict air circulation, creating conditions that produce some of the coldest temperatures recorded in inhabited places.
During the Second World War, an airfield was built here as part of the Alaska-Siberian route that transported American aircraft to the Eastern Front. This military connection brought temporary international attention to an otherwise isolated region.
Residents combine Orthodox practices with older spiritual customs that appear in daily rituals and seasonal gatherings. Visitors can observe how the community maintains traditional ways of living despite the cold, preparing locally caught fish using methods passed down through generations.
Temperatures below minus 60 degrees Celsius cause mercury thermometers to stop working and require open flames to start vehicles. Electronic devices often fail in such cold, so visitors should prepare with analog alternatives or extra insulation for equipment.
Local fishermen prepare stroganina by allowing caught fish to freeze naturally and then slicing them into thin frozen pieces. This method preserves the texture and flavor of raw fish, which is served immediately after slicing.
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