A diamond in the cold.

Yakutsk is located in the northern reaches of Siberia, in what is known as Yakutia. It has the distinction of having the coldest winters for a big city.  With winter temperatures averaging −38.6 C(−37.5 F) in January, Yakutsk has the coldest winter temperatures for a city of 100,000 or more residents. Temperatures have been recorded as low as -63 C(-83 F).

However, this very frigid corner of the earth also has an economic importance. Yakutia is a major diamond mining region. Yakutsk is the second largest producer and exporter of diamonds in the world. Although the mines in Yakutia are located west of Yakutsk, 1/5 of the world's diamond production is in Yakutsk. It is this contribution that makes Yakutsk, and Yakutia, a place of economic important. A place many people have not heard of, but has its own distinction as a very cold city, and a major diamond production center.