What is it Like Growing Up in the World’s Coldest City −71°C (−95°F) Yakutsk

Growing up in Yakutsk, the world’s coldest city, where winter temperatures can plummet to **-71°C (-95°F)**, offers a unique lifestyle shaped by extreme weather. Here's what it's like to grow up in this frozen land:

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### **1. Daily Life**
- **Layering Up:** Children are dressed in multiple layers, including heavy fur-lined coats, wool scarves, gloves, and traditional felt boots (*valenki*) to protect against frostbite. Exposure to the cold without proper clothing can be dangerous.
- **School Life:**
- Schools remain open unless the temperature drops below **-52°C (-61°F)** for younger children, while older students often attend even in colder weather.
- Walking to school involves carefully managing frostbite risks. Many children are driven or use buses, as walking long distances can be life-threatening.
- **Short Days:** The sun barely rises in winter, leading to long, dark days, which shape routines around indoor activities.

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### **2. Housing**
- **Super-Insulated Homes:** Houses are built on stilts to prevent permafrost from melting underneath and causing structural instability. Thick insulation and central heating systems are essential for survival.
- **Ice Windows:** Double or triple-paned windows and thick curtains are used to keep the heat in and the extreme cold out.

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### **3. Playing and Entertainment**
- **Indoor Fun:** Most recreational activities take place indoors, such as playing games, watching TV, or attending community events.
- **Outdoor Adventures:** Despite the cold, kids enjoy outdoor activities like sledding and building snow sculptures when temperatures are manageable. They wear specialized clothing to stay warm.
- **Cultural Festivals:** Yakutsk celebrates its heritage with festivals like *Ysyakh*, a summer event marking the solstice, where kids experience traditional Yakutian music, dance, and food.

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### **4. Food and Diet**
- **High-Calorie Meals:** Families rely on a diet rich in meat and fish to sustain energy levels in the extreme cold. Staples include horse meat, reindeer, and frozen fish like *stroganina* (thinly sliced frozen raw fish).
- **Ice Cellars:** Food is often stored in natural ice cellars dug into the permafrost.

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### **5. Unique Challenges**
- **Frozen Eyelashes and Hair:** It’s common for eyelashes and hair to freeze when spending time outdoors. Frostbite on exposed skin can occur within minutes.
- **Frozen Cars:** Cars are kept running during the day or stored in heated garages. Otherwise, they may freeze solid, requiring hours to restart.
- **Limited Mobility:** Outdoor play is restricted during extreme cold, so children spend much of their time indoors during winter.

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### **6. Schooling About the Cold**
- Kids grow up learning to respect the cold. Parents and schools teach children:
- Never to breathe through their mouths to avoid lung damage.
- To always carry extra layers and know the signs of frostbite.
- To understand how to manage sudden changes in the weather.

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### **7. Connection to Nature and Culture**
- **Indigenous Roots:** Yakutsk is home to a blend of cultures, including the Yakut (Sakha) people. Children grow up with a strong connection to their heritage, including traditional stories, crafts, and respect for the land.
- **Summer Respite:** The harsh winters are balanced by warm, short summers where kids enjoy nature, festivals, and outdoor freedom.

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### **Resilience and Pride**
Growing up in Yakutsk fosters resilience, adaptability, and a deep appreciation for community and culture. Despite the cold, children learn to thrive and find joy in the unique environment of this icy city.