薩哈自治共和國

The Sakha Republic, also known as Yakutia, is a region located in northeastern Russia and is one of the coldest places on Earth. The temperatures in this area can drop to below -70 degrees Celsius, making it one of the most frigid regions on the planet. The climate in the Sakha Republic is extremely harsh, with long and cold winters and short, mild summers. The average temperature rarely exceeds -20 degrees Celsius. Due to the extreme climate, people have to take special measures to protect themselves.

The town of Oymyakon in northeastern Russia is the coldest permanently inhabited place on Earth. The average temperature in January is around -50 degrees Celsius, and it has even dropped to as low as -71 degrees Celsius in history. Residents have to keep their car engines running all day to prevent them from freezing.

Oymyakon is located in the Sakha Republic, which is a two-day drive from the capital city of Yakutsk. The town sits at an altitude of 750 meters and is considered a "cold pole." It is within the Arctic Circle, with summer days lasting up to 21 hours, and temperatures often exceeding 30 degrees Celsius from June to August. However, in December, there are only 3 hours of daylight, and the average temperature in January is around -50 degrees Celsius. The winter has recorded a record-breaking temperature of -71.2 degrees Celsius, the lowest recorded temperature in a permanently inhabited place and the coldest temperature in the Northern Hemisphere.

Due to the extreme weather, life is extremely challenging for the local inhabitants, and modern amenities are scarce. Residents primarily rely on burning coal and wood for heating, and when coal supplies are unstable, power plants switch to burning wood for electricity. During power outages, the entire town can be paralyzed for up to 5 hours, with water pipes freezing and bursting. Locals also have to deal with ink freezing, battery power loss, glasses freezing to their faces, and other daily challenges. To prevent their cars from stalling, people keep their car engines running all day long. In winter, planes cannot land. Even with mobile networks, phones cannot operate in such extreme cold. However, because the residents are accustomed to the severe cold, schools only close when the temperature drops below -52 degrees Celsius.

Apart from its extreme climate, the Sakha Republic is also rich in natural resources. The region has abundant oil and natural gas reserves, making it one of Russia's largest energy-producing regions. Additionally, the area is rich in metal and gemstone deposits.

The residents of the Sakha Republic are primarily composed of indigenous ethnic groups, including the Yakuts, Evenks, and Yukaghirs. These ethnic groups have unique cultures and languages that are highly valued and protected by the locals. Furthermore, the locals maintain ancient traditions such as dog sled races in winter and polo matches in summer.

Overall, the Sakha Republic is an extreme yet beautiful region with abundant natural resources and a unique culture. Despite the extreme climate, the local people have managed to live here and have developed their distinct way of life and cultural traditions.