Sick and tired of spending even a few more months of this cold winter? The radiator has now become your best friend and you almost can not breathe because of the 10 layers of shirts and sweaters (the Michelin man is guaranteed) that every morning you are forced to wear.
If you believe that your city is now the favorite target of the cold, just think that there are places where the grasp of frost never loosens its grip!
It is difficult to determine the winner of the title of coldest city in the world, because sometimes the difference in levels is minimal, there is only one certainty: the game is played in Russia and in general among all the regions near the North Pole.
Let's find out together about the podium of the cities that have recorded historical records for their minimum temperatures.

1. OYMYAKON - Russia

Oymyakon is undoubtedly the coldest city in the world. It has been recognized and awarded the gold medal because of its incredible record of -71.2 ° C! A monument at the entrance of the city with the inscription "Oymyakon, the north pole of cold," commemorates this record: according to different sources, the temperature reached that year, ie 1924, was still lower, 82 ° C ! Oymyakon is a village in eastern Siberia in Russia inhabited by 500 "souls" living in an extreme situation. In December the hours of light are at most three, the average temperature is -45 ° C and the visibility is reduced to a minimum because of a thick layer of fog. To withstand the freezing cold, the inhabitants of this town are forced to cover themselves with multiple layers of animal fur, without caring of the cliché that the current fashion imposes! Their diet provides neither vegetables nor fruits, because the climate does not allow the growth of any vegetation because of the terrain almost always frozen. On the market, you can only find meat and fish: extremely rich in protein, are a kind of "fuel" which provide the body with energy and protect it from frost. Most homes have no indoor toilets, because the frozen ground makes it impossible to build plumbing. Many people solve the problem by building external services: a pit protected by a small wooden building (a bit as it was a long time ago over here). In Oymyakon, moreover, there is only one shop that supplies the inhabitants of basic necessities.
The peculiarity of Oymyakon is certainly the river on which it stands: Indigirka. Incredibly, its water is not frozen, and the explanation is in the presence of underground water sources, which enable its use to the population.
In short, certainly Oymyakon is not a country to resort! But it could be an attractive destination for those who eager for new landscapes, silent spaces and looking for extreme adventures!

2. BARROW - United States

Barrow wins the second place. In this area of Alaska, the most norther of the USA, 514 km beyond the Arctic Circle, the sun sets at the end of November and does not reappear until the end of January. The lowest minimum recorded is equal to -40.4 ° C.
Barrow is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the United States, archaeological findings testify settlements dating back to 800 AD.
Barrow literally means "the place where the snowy owls are hunted" and, not surprisingly, this is just one of the many species that have provided the necessary nourishment to the local population for thousands of years. Fishing and hunting are still an important aspect of life of the residents of Barrow.
Barrow appears to be the coldest of the surrounding areas, because of the wind blowing off the Arctic Ocean and the strong blizzards. Everything is covered by a layer of permafrost.
Both the bitter cold and the few hours of light, do not seem to scare its 4,500 inhabitants, who have planned their cultural activities considering the months of darkness, drafting a sort of calendar.
The town is accessible only by air or by sea and for the little car trips it is necessary to keep the motor always on as to prevent the fuel from freezing and stepping in the solid state.
In addition, gas stations are very few along the way, therefore, in view of a trip to Barrow, it would be helpful to stock up on hand cans of gasoline!

3. HELSINKI – Finland

From Alaska you go pass through the Old Continent and precisely in Helsinki, the capital of Finland. As one of the coldest places in Europe (due to its proximity to Russia), Helsinki has a very rigid climate. The winter is very long and the average temperature varies between -3 ° C and -15 ° C. A so low record has not ever been reached and that makes them achieve the third step of the podium, amounted to-34.3 ° C, recorded in January 1987. The snow makes its first appearance already in October and melts around the end of March. If you are lucky and the weather permits it (clear skies and calm) you can attend one of the most amazing shows that nature can offer, the wonderful phenomenon of the northern lights. It is most visible in the territories that are located above the Arctic Circle (at the 66 th parallel) and is particularly striking when viewed in the Finnish winter course, when the bright green and yellow shades, sometimes crossed by intense red streaks, blue and violet, become particularly visible during the dark polar night. The Finns have devised a series of convenient solutions to sleep happily under the Northern Lights: tree houses with warm wood and comfortable interiors with an unmistakable touch of Scandinavian design. Glass villas on the sea, "capsules" heated igloo with a glass roof and a double bed. There is nothing more comfortable to enjoy the beautiful arctic scenery!