Our planet has been shaped just as much by human hands as by nature, leaving us with some incredible metropoles and sprawling civilizations. But even with civilization spreading far and wide, there are some corners of the earth that remain untouched, isolated, and remote.
But what defines a place as ‘remote’? Typically, a remote area is far removed from urban centers, often characterized by extreme weather, interesting landscapes, and generally a tough time getting around.
And while this doesn’t make remote places sound too appealing to most, some offer serenity and natural beauty that cities just cannot provide. They could be the gateway to incredible off-the-beaten-track destinations, home to extraordinary wildlife, or just a chance to disconnect from the digital world.
10. Robinson Crusoe Island, Chile
Robinson Crusoe Island, the second-biggest island in Chile’s Juan Fernandez Archipelago, got its name from an interesting piece of literary history. Between 1704 and 1709, the island served as the isolated refuge of Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish sailor whose story of survival inspired Daniel Defoe’s creation of the fictional character Robinson Crusoe.
Less than one thousand people call the island home and getting here requires a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Santiago in Chile, followed by an hour-long water taxi.
With so few visitors to disturb the natural flow of things, its isolation has played a part in successfully preserving the unique flora and flora endemic to the island. With rugged volcanic peaks and dense forests, it’s home to species found nowhere else on Earth – especially when it comes to birds.
But diving is the best way to be transported to Daniel Defoe’s fantasy world of pirates and treasure. With crystal clear waters and incredible marine life, the seas here will leave you with a newfound connection to nature.
9. Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland
Ittoqqortoormiit is a remote municipality in Greenland that is as difficult to visit as it is to pronounce. Founded in 1925 by Inuit settlers, it’s one of the country’s most isolated settlements. And let’s be honest, Greenland is remote, as it is. Ittoqqortoormiit’s remote location, perched on the edge of the world’s largest national park, means it is almost surrounded by unspoiled Arctic wilderness.
It’s located within the Arctic Circle at the mouth of the largest fjord system in the world. So, as expected, this spot is on the receiving end of some of the planets most extreme weather. And with the nearest city more than 500 miles away, its isolation from civilization is all part of its charm.
The landscape is dominated by ice-covered fjords and rugged mountains. Winters are long and harsh, with temperatures plummeting below freezing and, on some days, seeing around four hours of daylight.
8. Oymyakon, Russia
If you fancy the cold, try spending a few days in Oymyakon, the coldest place on earth. This small human settlement in the Sakha Republic of Russia is the official coldest inhabited place on the planet, with temperatures averaging around -58°F.
It was established as a seasonal reindeer herding camp before being permanently settled in the 1930s. Because of the cold, building and development have been slow, which has done well in preserving the area’s remote character.
Reaching Oymyakon involves flying into Yakutsk, followed by a daunting drive on iced-over roads. The village is hundreds of miles from any city, surrounded by a frozen tundra landscape. The few locals who live here rely on reindeer herding and ice fishing, with limited access to running water and indoor plumbing because of the consistent permafrost.
7. Mount Roraima, Venezuela
Located at the junction of Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela, Mount Roraima sticks out of the landscape at right angles like a giant book. It’s one of the most isolated regions in the world, which has enabled the mountain to foster a unique ecosystem with plenty of endemic flora and fauna.
Rising out of the mist like a giant slab, Mount Roraima is most famous for its prehistoric ecology, which sustains plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. It’s part of the Tepui mountain range and is one of the oldest geological formations on the planet.
While no human settlements exist on the mountain, the area holds a deep spiritual importance for the Indigenous Pemon people, who believe it is the home of the gods. The closest town is Yuruani, a small village that serves as the starting point for many treks up the mountain.
6. Easter Island, Chile
Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui, is a small island in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, approximately 2340 miles from Chile. It is Chilean-owned, and the closest inhabited neighbor is the Juan Fernandez Islands, which are still 1150 miles away.
Easter Island is most famous for its mysterious monolithic Moai statues carved out of volcanic rock. The island’s original inhabitants, the Rapa Nui people, carved these massive figures around AD 1400 and 1600. But the most fascinating is that the stone figures are carved using volcanic rock found further along the coastline. How they were transported to their current spots still baffles archeologists.
The island’s isolation has left its landscape largely untouched. Its coastline is lined with rugged cliffs and peaceful beaches.
5. Kerguelen Islands
The Kerguelen Islands, also known as the ‘Desolation Islands,’ are the kind of place that give solitude a whole new meaning. Set in the middle of the southern Indian Ocean, over 2000 miles from Madagascar, they’re around midway between Africa and Antarctica.
These French-owned volcanic islands are so remote that no one lives here permanently. The only way to get here is by research vessel.
The landscape is rugged and wild, with towering peaks, glaciers, and grasslands that feel like they extend for miles. And while only a handful of researchers and scientists brave the harsh, windy conditions, wildlife thrives in the isolation.
4. Devon Island, Canada
Devon Island isn’t just remote; it’s massive. Located in the Canadian Arctic, this barren, icy, and rocky expanse is the largest uninhabited island in the world. The landscape here is so otherworldy that NASA has even used the island to simulate missions to Mars.
It’s more than 1000 miles from the nearest town, and reaching the island involves navigating icy waters or flying on a small aircraft over the frozen terrain. Once you’re there, you’re guaranteed frozen tundra and glaciers as far as the eyes can see.
Despite its harsh climate, Devon Island is teeming with Arctic wildlife. Muskox, Arctic foxes, and polar bears call the island home.
3. Pitcairn Islands
The Pitcairn Islands are a group of four volcanic islands that form the sole British Overseas Territory. Located in the South Pacific Ocean, they are almost 1800 miles from any continental landmass and, therefore, one of the most remote island groups.
Only one of the four islands – Pitcairn Island – is inhabited. But only 50 people live here permanently. Getting to the island is no small feat. With no airport on the island, you’ll have to fly to a small French Polynesian Island called Mangareva and then travel the rest of the journey by boat.
Isolation isn’t just geographical; it’s part of the way of life here. There are no malls, traffic lights, or coffee shops. Life is slow here, and locals must be self-sufficient and resourceful to make the off-grid lifestyle work.
2. Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station, Antarctica
Antarctica is remote by definition, and the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station sits at the southernmost point on Earth. It’s a research base in one of the most inhospitable environments known to humankind. Temperatures sit at an average of -56°F but can drop below -112°F in winter.
The South Pole has no native plant or animal life, but you might be able to spot a seabird if it is blown off course.
As the name suggests, this isn’t as much a human settlement as it is a base for scientific experiments studying everything from climate change to astronomy. The population varies from season to season, and it is mostly made up of scientists and researchers. All in all, around 640 people pass through the station each year.
1. Tristan Da Cunha
Tristan Da Cunha is a small group of volcanic islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. It’s positioned between Cape Town, South Africa, and Mar del Plata in Argentina, with nothing around it but the neverending ocean.
The main island holds the title as the most remote inhabited island in the world, stretching only 38 square miles across. Under 300 people call this island home, with no way to enter and leave other than taking a six-day ship trip from South Africa.
Being so remote, the residents of Tristan Da Cunha rely on fishing, farming, and a deep sense of community to survive.
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