A – Z Cities with Mysteries – Real & Fictional

 

Oymyakon, Russia

Oymyakon's history as a settlement dates back to the early 20th century. The village’s name translates to “unfrozen water”. Omymyakon served as a stopover for reindeer herders drawn to the area's thermal spring,  

The residents are primarily Yakuts. They have adapted to the harsh climate through activities like cattle farming, hunting, and fishing, with Yakut cows and reindeer being a cornerstone of the local diet.  

 It’s one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth:  -71 degrees to  -96 degrees.

Indoor plumbing is virtually nonexistent because pipes freeze easily in the permafrost, leading to the use of outhouses.

 So to me, the mystery is: Why would people choose to live there???