The world is home to some incredibly cold places where temperatures drop far below freezing. Let’s explore the top 5 coldest places on Earth, where surviving the extreme cold is a daily challenge.
1. Antarctica (East Antarctic Plateau)
Antarctica, particularly the East Antarctic Plateau, is the coldest place on Earth. The temperatures here can plummet to an astonishing -94°C (-137°F). This icy continent is covered in a thick layer of ice and snow, making it an extreme environment for any form of life. The record for the lowest temperature ever recorded was at Vostok Station in Antarctica, hitting -89.2°C (-128.6°F).
2. Oymyakon, Russia
Oymyakon, a village in Siberia, Russia, is known as the coldest inhabited place on Earth. In January 1924, the temperature dropped to -71.2°C (-96.2°F). Despite the extreme cold, about 500 people live in Oymyakon, enduring long, harsh winters. The village experiences continuous darkness for 21 hours a day during winter.
3. Verkhoyansk, Russia
Verkhoyansk is another frigid town in Siberia, Russia, famous for its incredibly low temperatures. It shares the record for the lowest temperature in the Northern Hemisphere with Oymyakon, with temperatures reaching -67.8°C (-90°F). Verkhoyansk has a population of around 1,300 people who adapt to the severe cold and long winters.
4. North Ice, Greenland
North Ice is a research station in Greenland’s interior and holds the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded in North America. In January 1954, the temperature dropped to -66.1°C (-87°F). The station was used for scientific research during the British North Greenland Expedition from 1952 to 1954.
5. Snag, Yukon, Canada
Snag, a small village in the Yukon Territory of Canada, is known for its extremely cold temperatures. In February 1947, Snag recorded a temperature of -63°C (-81.4°F), making it one of the coldest places in North America. Today, Snag is mostly abandoned, but its record cold temperatures are still remembered.
The world’s coldest places are both fascinating and challenging. From the icy expanses of Antarctica to the frozen villages of Siberia, these regions test the limits of human endurance and adaptability.