Explore the most remote places around the world

By Julius Choudhury, dearJulius.com

Very few of us will ever visit the world's most remote places. Find out where they are and some options that are a little easier to around the world.

Laguna Verde, Bolivia

Situated at the southernmost tip of the country and close to the borders of Chile and Argentina, the salt lake with emerald waters is surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, including the dormant Licancábur volcano. The nearest town is Uyuni, accessible only by bus and train.

Lunana, Bhutan

It is believed that more people have climbed Mount Everest than reached this remote location in Bhutan's northern district of Gasa. Lunana village lies almost entirely within a protected area as part of a national park. It also lies on the route of the famous Snowman Trek – one of the most rigorous treks in the Himalayan region – on which one must cross many of Bhutan's glaciers.

Cape York Peninsula, Australia

Located at the northernmost point of mainland Australia, it is the largest unspoiled wilderness in the region and inhabited by just five communities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The area is known for its tropical environments, sweeping savannah woodlands and eucalyptus forests.

Deception Island, Antarctica

A secluded, uninhabited island set in the remote icy Antarctic, it was once a whaling center. It's located in the caldera of an active volcano and to reach the bay of the island, ships must navigate through the narrow entrance, popularly known as Neptune's Bellows.

Oymyakon, Russia

One of the coldest inhabited places on the planet, this rural locality is home to just around 500 people. It’s located in the heart of Siberia, also known as “Stalin’s Death Ring,” where he sent political exiles. In the winters, days can be as short as three hours long, and it takes about two days to reach the nearest city of Yakutsk.

Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile

The island is about 2,300 miles (3,700 km) off the coast of Chile. According to a 2017 census, it had a population of 7,750. Dotted with mysterious moai sculptures and offering unparalleled scenic views, the volcanic area remains a center for exploring Polynesian culture.

Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland

Considered the remotest inhabited place in the Western Hemisphere, the isolated town has a population of about 450 with a single grocery store and a few convenience stores. To its north is the Northeast Greenland national park, the largest in the world, while it is surrounded by the largest fjord system, Scoresby Sund, to the south.

Socotra, Yemen

Most species of plants and animals found in this archipelago are endemic to the region, including the dragon’s blood tree (pictured), frankincense and myrrh. Due to its rich biodiversity, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.

Bomê County, Tibet Autonomous Region

Part of the Tibetan realm since the early 20th century, the tiny county remained isolated because its inhabitants had the reputation of being savages.

See also: 12 Must-Do Guided Hikes

Amazon rainforest, Brazil

Comprising almost 40 percent of the country's total area, it is the largest tropical rainforest in the world. One of the most diverse ecological regions, it is home to several million species of plants, insects and birds. Aside from the biodiversity, the region also houses numerous indigenous tribes, who maintain no contact with the outside world.

Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, South Pole

The U.S. scientific research station in the southernmost place on Earth stands at an elevation of 9,306 feet (2,835 meters). It accommodates around 150 people in summer and 50 during winter. Prior to the new building, there was 'the Dome,' a silver-gray aluminum geodesic structure that was unheated.

Barrow, Alaska, US

Located 320 miles (515 km) north of the Arctic Circle, it is the northernmost city in the U.S. and one of the farthest north permanently inhabited community in the world. The isolated town, which is not accessible by road, is home to only about 4,000 people who depend on the Arctic Ocean for livelihood.

Supai, Arizona, US

Remotely located within the Grand Canyon, the village has a population of only 208, according to the 2010 census. It is also the only place in the U.S. where mail is delivered via mules. The settlement can only be approached by helicopter, or one must hike or ride a mule to reach.

Macquarie Island, Australia

Located approximately halfway between mainland Australia and Antarctica, the remote island is a wildlife haven and the only breeding place of the royal penguins around the world. The species shares space with around 100,000 elephant seals and several other species of seabirds.

Spitsbergen, Norway

The only island in the Svalbard archipelago that is permanently inhabited is known for the Global Seed Vault, where plant seeds are stored to ensure their safety in case of a global catastrophe. Mostly covered with glaciers, it is also the largest island of Svalbard. There are no roads that connect settlements and people have to rely on snowmobiles, airplanes and boats to get around.

Kerguelen Islands, French Overseas Territory

Situated in southern Indian Ocean, the archipelago is home to the island of Kerguelen, also called Desolation Island owing to its remoteness and harsh landscape, and most of the residents are part of scientific projects. There are no airports or airstrips, so the only possible mode of transport is via ship.

La Rinconada, Peru

Located at an altitude of 16,732 feet (5,100 meters), it is claimed to be the highest permanent settlement in the world. Home to around 50,000 residents, their only source of livelihood is mining. In addition to the questionable wage system for the miners, the city also lacks decent infrastructure.

Pitcairn Island, British Overseas Territory

Part of the Pitcairn Islands group – the other three being Henderson, Ducie and Oeno – it is the only inhabited one. Its population is only around 50 people, who are said to be descendants from the mutineers of HMAV Bounty and their Tahitian companions. There is just one general store on the island.

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Changtang, Tibetan Plateau

Most parts of Changtang are uninhabited and inhospitable, and are only home to an indigenous nomadic population whose main occupation is rearing local goats for the famous Pashmina wool. The region is designated as a Global 200 Ecoregion by WWF.

Tristan da Cunha, British Overseas Territory

With a population of just about 250, the island is part of the most remote inhabited archipelago in the world. Situated in the south Atlantic Ocean, it lies 1,750 miles (2,816 km) away from South Africa and 2,088 miles (3,360 km) from South America. Tristan da Cunha is accessible only via ships and expedition cruises.

Tromelin Island, France

Discovered by France in 1722, the island lies about 280 miles (450 km) away from Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. Tromelin has a tragic history: In 1761, when a ship was wrecked here on its way to Mauritius, the stranded sailors built a boat and set sail, leaving behind 60 slaves. Fifteen years later when a ship arrived, only seven women and a baby remained. Today, the island is an important seabird breeding site.

Bear Island, Norway

Also known as Bjørnøya, it is the southernmost island of the Svalbard archipelago. Discovered by Dutch explorers in 1596, the island is known for its bays, beaches and near-vertical cliffs. The latter are some of the largest seabird colonies of the North Atlantic.

Monuriki, Fiji

A tiny, uninhabited coral island in the Pacific Ocean, Monuriki is part of the Mamanuca group of islands. It is surrounded by coral reefs on all sides and has several sapphire lagoons and pristine white beaches. It was where Tom Hanks' classic film "Cast Away" (2000) was shot.

Floreana Island, Ecuador

Part of the Galápagos Islands, it was formed after a volcanic eruption. It has a popular snorkeling site known as “Devil’s Crown.” Two of the biggest highlights of the region are the Post Office Bay (which whalers used as an unofficial mail box) and the Cormorant Point (a flamingo lagoon).

Devon Island, Canada

Situated in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, it is considered the largest uninhabited island in the world and remains frozen all year long. Discovered by William Baffin in 1616, it is famous for the Haughton Crater, where a meteorite crashed millions of years ago. The site is used by NASA to simulate life on Mars.

McMurdo Station, Antarctica

Capable of supporting more than 1,200 people, McMurdo is Antarctica’s largest community and acts as the logistics hub of the U.S. Antarctic Program. The facility comprises over 85 buildings, including a power plant, clubs and stores. It is also home to the only two ATMs on the entire continent.

Faroe Islands

A part of the Kingdom of Denmark, Faroe Islands is a self-governing archipelago believed to have formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago. The islands are located about halfway between Norway and Iceland in the North Atlantic. According to recent estimates from the UN's World Population Prospects, the population is close to 50,000. Most of them are settled in metropolitan areas, which includes towns and villages such as Tórshavn, Kirkjubøur and Velbastaður.

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Cocos Keeling Islands, Australia

The islands are located around halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean. The territory consists of two coral atolls and 27 islands, out of which only two are inhabited.

Gurbantünggüt Desert, China

The country’s second largest desert is uninhabited for the most part and has the remotest point on land from any sea — 1,645 miles (2,648 km) from the nearest coastline.

Canna, Scotland

The westernmost isle in the Scottish Inner Hebrides has seen recent repopulation attempts, but less than 20 people still live on the island. It is home to several animal species, including porpoises, puffins and whales.

Whittier, Alaska, US

Located at the head of the Passage Canal, the city is home to only about 218 citizens. It was established during World War II and acted as a military supply port.

Foula, Scotland

Home to around 30 people, it is one of the most remote permanently inhabited islands of the U.K. It is accessible by the inter-island ferry (that operates three times a week) and the chartered air service (that operates four times a week).

Mêdog County, Tibet Autonomous Region

Also called Pemako or Motuo, the county near the India-China border is considered the most isolated in the Tibetan region of China. The only road connecting it to the rest of the region was built as late as in 2013. Prior to that, tourists had to trek across mountains and cross a rickety suspension bridge to get there.

Adak, Alaska, US

The westernmost town in the U.S. is located on a chain of islands in Alaska, with a population of a little over 300 people. It was a naval base in its yesteryear but is now home to a fish plant: a place where commercial fishing vessels unload their catch.

Palmerston Island, Cook Islands

Discovered by Captain Cook in 1774, the island was home to William Marsters, an Englishman who annexed the island from the British government in 1863 and had 17 children. His descendants live on the island to date. There are two toilets on the island, and facilities such as electricity and internet are available for just a few hours every day.

Area 51, Nevada, US

Originally known as "Site II" or "The Ranch," the secretive military installation is administered by Edwards Air Force Base. It has been the focus of numerous conspiracy theories concerning extraterrestrial life. Its only confirmed use is as a flight-testing facility.

Gasadalur - Village in Vágar, Faroe Islands