Many cities and villages are located in inaccessible locations. Polar caps, high mountains, and vast oceans are all remote and difficult to access. Many of these sites are still populated, and some even have larger towns. These are the world’s most remote cities.
It’s difficult to identify which cities are the world’s most remote because there are so many variables to consider. There are some concerns with this because it is not always clear what constitutes “REMOTE” – or what constitutes a “CITY.”
However, when these characteristics are combined, it is possible to determine which villages and cities are truly remote and isolated. It’s important to note that these can be found all throughout the world, including on small islands, high mountains, polar climate zones, and other severe environments.
This is a true testament to humanity’s flexibility and capacity to survive in tough temperatures and environments.
Then there’s the question of urbanization. What is the minimum size of a town before it is considered a city? Is there a minimum population requirement or developed infrastructure? What is the point at which a town becomes a city, and what is the difference between the two? All of these factors make determining the most remote places in the world to visit.
The most remote places in the world to visit
The top 20 most remote cities on the planet are listed below.
20. Tristan da Cunha
Welcome to the world’s most isolated inhabited island, located over 2,000 miles from South America and 1,700 miles from the nearest South African shore. Only 297 people live on the volcanic island, which has no restaurants, hotels, or airport and can only be reached by a seven-day boat voyage. Although there isn’t much human contact on the “remotest island,” excitement awaits.
19. Tibet’s Motuo
Until recently, the 12,000-person county was the last to be inaccessible by road, leaving many of the towns undiscovered by outsiders. Paddy, soybean, cotton, and gingeli are the main crops grown by the indigenous people. A traveler must journey across mountains for four days to reach this verdant region, which was regarded as a hallowed site in Tibetan Buddhist scripture (Motuo means “hidden lotus” in Tibetan) and can stopover in small settlements along the way.
18. Greenland’s Ittoqqortoormiit.
Ittoqqortoormiit, on Greenland’s eastern shore, is the most isolated village on one of the most isolated lands. Seals, walruses, narwhals, polar bears, and Arctic foxes all live in this area. From Nerlerit Inaat Airport, a helicopter can transport you there, and a small village provides tourists the opportunity to dog-sled and kayak, however, there is only one food shop for the population of 450 people.
17. Antarctica’s McMurdo Station.
Antarctica, of course, is on the list; it is literally at the bottom of the world. Antarctica is the only continent without indigenous people, and though the entire continent is as remote as it gets, McMurdo Station, the research station on Ross Island’s southern point, is undoubtedly one of the most isolated inhabited sites on the planet. You’ll need to be a scientist, a military person, or an artist to get there, and you’ll arrive in a military plane equipped with special skis that can land on sea ice.
16. Adamstown, Pitcairn Islands.
Adamstown is located on the Pitcairn Islands, which are currently a British foreign territory. The Pitcairn Islands are located in the Southern Pacific Ocean and are extremely difficult to access. While it isn’t really a city, Adamstown deserves to be included on this list due to its role as the state capital. Despite having only 56 individuals, the town is called the capital because it is the sole settlement on the island. It is, in fact, the world’s second-smallest capital, after Beijing. The group’s other islands are populated. Despite its remote location, Adamstown offers satellite television, and most inhabitants still communicate via radio. The only way to get to the Pitcairn Islands is by boat.
15. Supai, Arizona, United States of America
Supai is a town in Arizona’s Havasu Canyon. It is frequently referred to as the United States’ most distant community. Supai, which is located within the Grand Canyon, is extremely difficult to approach. The settlement, which is home to the Havasupai Tribe, has a population of around 200 people. Because there are no roads leading to Supai, the only way to get there is to hike the 13-kilometer (8-mile) trek. A helicopter is another option, though this is normally kept for emergency situations. Supai is so far away that the nearest place to get food and water is Peach Springs, which is about 60 miles distant. Mules are still employed to bring mail to Supai today.
14. Greenland’s Ittoqqortoormiit.
Greenland is noted for having some of the world’s most distant villages. Except for a tiny coastline and a few other spots, this northern island is almost entirely covered in ice. It makes its settlements inaccessible and isolated. Ittoqqortoormiit is one of Greenland’s most isolated towns. This town, which is located on Greenland’s eastern coast, has a population of roughly 450 people. This is a remote location with few visitors. Residents of the community rely on hunting and fishing for sustenance, but this isn’t the only option. Ittoqqortoormiit has a grocery shop and a few convenience stores, allowing locals to purchase a variety of necessities. There is also a tiny historical museum on the premises. Even though it is a little town, it attracts a fair number of visitors. Some tourists are drawn to rural locations because they wish to witness how people live in such a remote location. Other visitors come to Ittoqqortoormiit for its natural beauty. Dogsledding and kayaking are just two of the fascinating activities available in this little town.
13. Easter Island’s Hanga Roa
The huge stone statues of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) are well-known. Moai are statues that typically portray simply a head and body, and there are about 900 of them. Easter Island is a small island in Eastern Polynesia that is legally part of Chile. This is a historically significant volcanic island. The Moai’s creators resided on the island from the 10th to the 16th century, although the island is now mostly frequented by tourists. Its distant position makes it inaccessible to all but the most determined tourists, but the monumental stone statues attract a continuous stream of visitors. The island’s capital is Hanga Roa. It is situated between the now-extinct volcanoes Terevaka and Rano Kau on the island’s west coast. While technically part of Chile, Hanga Roa is roughly 3,700 kilometers from Santiago, the country’s capital. The city has about 3,300 residents, accounting for over 90% of the Island’s entire population.
12. Yakutsk, Russia
Yakutsk is one of the world’s most remote cities, located along the banks of the Lena River. It is about 450 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle in Russia’s Sakha Republic. As a result, the climate is harsh: it is one of the coldest spots on the planet. Temperatures as low as -50 Celsius are not uncommon in Yakutsk, and there have even been instances where the temperature dropped to -60 Celsius. Because this is plainly not a pleasant climate in which to live, Yakutsk is not only far from other cities but also difficult to reach. The city does have an airport: the Yakutsk Airport and the Magan Airport, in reality. Despite this, getting to the city on foot is tough, especially in a tiny vehicle. The city is known for being the world’s coldest major metropolis. Yakutsk has a population of around 300,000 people and is noted for being a major diamond producer.
11. Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada.
It is well known that Canada has many remote locations, notably in the north. The territory of Nunavut is one of the most inaccessible areas on the planet. Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut, is considered one of the world’s most isolated cities. With a population of roughly 7,200 people, it is more of a tiny town than a city, but as the capital of Canadian territory, it certainly merits a spot on this list. The Inuit make up the majority of the population. Because the town is difficult to reach, there are few visitors or tourists. Nonetheless, the town attracts a fair number of visitors. If you want to explore the Canadian wilderness, Iqaluit could be a good starting point. It features a number of hotels and other lodging alternatives. Iqaluit is also noted for being Canada’s only city without a freeway.
10. Antarctica’s Deception Island
Deception Island is a small island in Antarctica’s South Shetland Islands archipelago. It is home to a number of bases and minor villages around the island’s coastlines. The island is actually the caldera of a volcano that is still active. Deception Island, once a whaling station, now houses two scientific bases, one Argentine and the other Spanish. It’s also a popular tourist location for individuals who want to visit Antarctica and view penguins. On the island, you may even take a hot bath in a sand pool. But don’t mistake this location for a delightful tourist attraction. The historic whale station is situated in an isolated location with terrible weather. Although I am not as severe as some other parts of Antarctica, it is certainly unexpected. Deception Island is only accessible via one of the Antarctica tours. The area’s general seclusion makes it difficult to get there.
9. Svalbard’s Longyearbyen
Svalbard is a Norwegian-owned Arctic island. The islands, which are technically archipelago, are bordered by icebergs and glaciers. Because this is such a remote and difficult-to-reach place, it’s not unexpected that any community in Svalbard must be isolated. Svalbard’s capital, Longyearbyen, has a population of roughly 3,000 people. The town also attracts travelers who use it as a base for exploring Svalbard and the surrounding region. Longyearbyen is known as the world’s northernmost settlement. The area is home to a diverse range of species, including reindeer and polar bears. There are also a lot of seals and birds that are used to the cold. Polar bears, who have been known to attack people, constitute the greatest threat to the people of Longyearbyen. Summer brings the majority of people to the area because the weather is not as harsh as it is during other seasons.
8. Yemen’s Socotra.
Hadibu is the capital of the Yemeni-controlled tiny island of Socotra (sometimes spelled Soqotra). Socotra is a group of four tiny islands in the Indian Ocean. This tropical location is notable for its secluded location and diverse plant life. There are more than 300 recorded plant species in the area, some of which are unique to the world. The island’s secluded location is one of the key reasons for its abundance of plant life. These isolated plant forms make for a striking sight for tourists, so it’s no surprise that Socotra was frequently described as “alien-like.” As a result, the majority of visitors to Hadibu are people who are interested in the area’s diverse plant life. Socotra, on the other hand, is a desirable destination for travelers seeking to visit the world’s most isolated cities.
7. Barrow, Alaska, United States
This is the most northern community in the United States, and it is recognized for its isolation. Although the city only has a population of roughly 4,500 people, it attracts a limited number of tourists and other visitors. The city and its environs are noted for its harsh weather and cold temperatures. It’s vital to remember that if you want to visit Barrow, you should do so only during the warmest months of the year. Barrow is renowned as one of the world’s oldest and most remote cities due to its geographical location and climate. However, it’s worth noting that Barrow’s temperatures aren’t as awful as they could be: the surrounding topography actually keeps the city a little warmer than the surrounding area. The city is surrounded on three sides by the Arctic Ocean, with a flat tundra on the fourth. As a result, there are no troughs where cold air can settle, resulting in a slightly warmer temperature in Barrow.
6. Tristan da Cunha’s Edinburgh of the Seven Seas
The Edinburgh of the Seven Seas is not to be confused with the more well-known Edinburgh. This one is in the South Atlantic, on a small, uninhabited island in the middle of nowhere. Edinburgh of the Seven Seas is technically not a city; it is a small hamlet of roughly 300 people. It is, however, one of the world’s most distant settlements, therefore it deserves to be on this list. The settlement is situated on the small South Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha. It was named after the Duke of Edinburgh, who paid a visit to the island in 1867. People on the island refer to the town as “The Settlement” today. The island is also recognized for another attraction: an active volcano in the island’s center. The only way to get to Edinburgh of the Seven Seas from South Africa is to take a six-day boat voyage.
5. Peruvian town of La Rinconada
La Rinconada is a city in Peru’s Andes mountains. It is known as the world’s highest human metropolis, with a height of nearly 17,000 feet above sea level. This city is not only geographically isolated but also technologically: it lacks running water. This does not, however, deter people from settling in La Rinconada, which has a population of around 50,000 people. The gold mines lying beneath the glacier La Bella Durimiente, directly above the settlement, are the main reason so many people are drawn to this community despite its remote position.
4. China’s Medog
Medog is a Chinese city located in the Motuo County of Tibet. The city is difficult to reach because it is surrounded by high mountains and lacks a decent road. There is a road to Medog, but due to high snowfall, it is only available for 8 months of the year. Medog is one of the world’s most isolated cities as a result of its location. Medog, a picturesque city with a population of about 10,000 people, is noted for its picturesque surroundings. Despite these benefits, the city suffers from several disadvantages as a result of its isolation: medical care and education are both problematic due to the city’s remote location. However, things are looking up. The road was completed a few years ago, and while it is not open all year, it is still preferable to the prior method of reaching the city, which involved passing through small mountain tunnels.
3. The Kerguelen Islands
sometimes known as the “Desolation Islands,” are a group of islands off the coast of Australia.
The Kerguelen Islands are located in the southern Indian Ocean and have no native populations. The main island, which is permanently occupied by 50-100 French scientists and researchers, is covered in rocky rocks and glaciers. The only way to get there is by ship, which only leaves four times a year, so make your plans ahead of time!
2. Pitcairn Island
Is located in the South Pacific. Pitcairn Island, a British island, is so isolated that only 50 people reside there, and the British government has been encouraging inhabitants to relocate there. Despite its remote location thousands of miles from civilization, Pitcairn Island is breathtakingly gorgeous, with lush green hills and crystal-clear blue seas found only in the middle of the ocean.
1. Hawaii
At 2,390 miles from California and 3,850 miles from Japan, Hawaii is the most isolated population center on the planet. Fortunately, despite its remoteness (particularly on the Big Island and Kauai), it is home to a large city (Honolulu) and a plethora of visitor attractions, hotels, and lodging. It takes only five hours to fly from California to there.
0. Siberia: Oymyakon
The Siberian polar settlement of Oymyakon is known as the “coldest village on earth,” with daily temperatures far below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. The only way to get there is to drive for two days because planes are frequently too cold to fly. But it might be worth the ride to witness how these bulletproof Russians manage to survive in this place.
Island of Socotra
Socotra Island, a Yemeni archipelago, is so remote that one-third of its plant and animal species have never been seen elsewhere on the planet. Its bizarre-looking trees give it the term “alien island” since they make it look like an entirely another planet. The island offers spectacular views and wildlife in addition to some of the oddest alien plants ever seen. Socotra Island, like all of these inaccessible locations, needs to be safeguarded so that its indigenous inhabitants can continue to enjoy its beautiful nature and rare animals. Follow in tentree’s footsteps to preserve these incredible distant locations as emblems of the once-pristine, pure planet.
My Thoughts on the most remote places in the world to visit
The term “remote” encompasses a wide range of meanings. The term “remote area” refers to a location that is far from civilization. These are settlements erected in the midst of nowhere, or so it appears: on top of a mountain, on a polar glacier, on a little island in the middle of the sea. To be called distant, villages do not need to be thousands of kilometers from civilization. For instance, if a town is virtually unreachable, it can be exceedingly isolated. Many villages are difficult-to-reach their locations, such as mountain routes, are in this situation. Despite the fact that the settlement is not far from civilization, it is nonetheless regarded as secluded due to its inaccessibility.
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