Buzz
When locals in these far-off towns claim they reside in the middle of nowhere, they mean it literally. Situated 1500 miles from the nearest shoreline or perched 17,000 feet above sea level, these nine secluded towns are places you’re unlikely to stumble upon accidentally.
1. EDINBURGH OF THE SEVEN SEAS, TRISTAN DA CUNHA
Image by Michael Clarke via WikimediaCommons // CC BY-SA 2.0
Situated 1243 miles from the closest settlement, this village on Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic is renowned as one of the planet's most remote communities. Named after the Duke of Edinburgh’s 1867 visit, it’s now often called “The Settlement” by its roughly 300 inhabitants. The fastest route to reach it is a six-day boat journey from South Africa, the nearest mainland 1491 miles away. Beyond its rich wildlife, the island features an active volcano at its core. In 1961, residents were evacuated to England due to an eruption, but with minimal damage, most returned a few years later.
2. WHITTIER, ALASKA
Photo by Jessica Spengler via Flickr // CC BY 2.0
Accessible only via a 2.6-mile, single-lane tunnel that closes nightly, this south Alaskan town sees its population surge in summer but dwindles to about 200 in winter. Most residents live in the 14-story Begich Towers, which also houses the town’s post office, church, and convenience store.
3. VILLA LAS ESTRELLAS, ANTARCTICA
Image by SnowSwan via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 3.0
As one of only two civilian towns on Antarctica,
4. LA RINCONADA, PERU
Photo by Hildegard Willer via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0
Perched at nearly 17,000 feet above sea level, La Rinconada in the Peruvian Andes holds the title of the world’s highest human settlement. Despite its lack of running water and extreme altitude, the town has grown to about 50,000 residents, drawn by the gold mines beneath the massive La Bella Durmiente glacier.
5. SUPAI VILLAGE, ARIZONA
Photo by Elf via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 3.0
The Havasupai village of Supai is reachable only by helicopter or an eight-mile hike from the nearest road. Despite its isolation, it draws tourists annually thanks to its Grand Canyon location and the stunning Havasu Falls. It’s also one of the last places in the U.S. where mail is delivered by mule.
6. COOBER PEDY, AUSTRALIA
Image by Remi DU via Flickr // CC BY-SA 2.0
One hundred years ago
A teenager transformed Australia’s opal mining industry by discovering a gemstone in the harsh southern outback. To adapt to the unforgiving desert, Coober Pedy’s residents built their homes underground. Today, the town of fewer than 2000 people boasts an underground bar, art gallery, and three underground churches. Beyond being the world’s opal capital, it also attracts tourists eager to explore its unique subterranean lifestyle.
7. LONGYEARBYEN, NORWAY
Photo by Bjørn Christian Tørrissen via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 3.0
Longyearbyen, a Scandinavian town, lies so far north that it’s nearer to the North Pole than to Oslo, Norway’s capital. Its Arctic location brings frigid temperatures and winters of perpetual darkness. Homes are constructed on stilts to prevent the permafrost beneath from thawing and destabilizing the structures.
Despite its extreme conditions, Longyearbyen draws residents globally, with nearly a third of its under-3000 population being foreigners. The town’s allure lies in its remarkably low crime rate, aided by laws prohibiting unemployment or homelessness. (It’s also illegal to die there, as the cold prevents decomposition.) While crime is rare, gun ownership is high—mainly for protection against polar bears. The risk is so significant that leaving town limits without a weapon and the skills to use it is against the law.
8. PALMERSTON, COOK ISLANDS
Photo by Paul Townsend via Flickr // CC BY-ND 2.0
Palmerston, a remote South Pacific island, was settled by Englishman William Marsters 150 years ago. Today, 59 of its 62 residents are direct descendants of Marsters and his three Polynesian wives (who were cousins). Part of the Cook Islands, Palmerston consists of sandy islets encircled by a coral reef too shallow for seaplanes. The surrounding ocean is too rough, making boat travel the only option. Visitors can arrive by yacht, tourist ship, or the cargo ship that delivers supplies biannually.
9. SIWA OASIS, EGYPT
Image by Heksamarre via Wikimedia Commons
Reaching Siwa, like any true oasis, is a challenge. Encircled by hundreds of kilometers of barren Saharan desert, the village is most accessible by hired car or an overnight bus journey from Cairo. Visitors brave the journey to enjoy its serene palm groves, olive orchards, and freshwater springs. A solar power plant was recently installed to supply electricity, but the town lacks cell service. Its isolation has preserved the Berber tribal culture, which remains largely unchanged over centuries.
