Welcome To Oymyakon, World's Coldest Inhabited Village Where Temperature Could Drop To -67C (−90 °F)

Welcome to what is thought to be the coldest inhabited place on the face of Earth – the village of Oymyakon, Russia. New Zealand-based photographer Amos Chapple decided to go there and capture the winter in this 500-person village of extreme weather conditions.

The village holds the record of the lowest temperature in a permanently inhabited area, that is −90 °F (−67.7 °C) recorded back in 1933. Taking a two-day drive from Yakutsk, the capital city of Sakha Republic, the photographer reached Oymyakon and captured its everyday reality.

Oymyakon, the place where crops don’t grow due to the cold and the motor vehicles can’t be left outside, Chapple met specific challenges as well. Capturing the village on camera was extremely difficult as his lens’ focus and zoom rings would sometimes simply freeze in place.

The Central Market In Yakutsk is fullof fish and meat as the crops do not grow there

The ‘Road Of Bones’ is the only route to Oymyakon

Even the village sign reads ‘Omyakon, The Pole Of Cold’

A woman walks by a frozen house located in the village center

A thick layer of fur keeps the dogs in Oymyakon warm

Most toilets are built outside, because the frozen ground makes it impossible to build indoor plumbing

Local farmer keeps his cows warm at night by tucking them away in this barn

The only working shop in Oymyakon provides the villagers with everything they need

Cars can only be placed in heated garages. The ones left outside must keep running, otherwise they won’t restart

A coal heating plant keeps the villagers warm