Earth’s most remote places awaken a deep fascination in travelers and armchair explorers alike. In this definitive guide, we journey beyond the beaten path—far past the last road sign and satellite phone signal—to meet the people and witness the wonders of isolation. From a tiny volcanic archipelago in the South Atlantic to the frozen interior of Siberia, each location beckons with stark landscapes, hardy communities, and stories of survival.
The term remote can mean different things: vast distance from urban centers, extreme difficulty of access, or profound cultural isolation. Here, we measure remoteness by a blend of geography and accessibility (see “Understanding Remoteness” below). We’ve selected six of the planet’s most isolated destinations—places where nature dominates and human footprints are scarce. For each, this guide provides verified 2024–2025 data on population, distance, and access, along with tips from locals and first-hand visitors.
Below is a quick-reference table of the featured locations (ordered by remoteness). We’ll then explore each in depth, followed by practical planning advice and FAQs to ensure you can safely and respectfully plan a journey to these edges of civilization.
Location | Region | Inhabited? | Population | Nearest Inhabited Land | Access |
Point Nemo (pole of inaccessibility) | South Pacific Ocean | Uninhabited point | 0 | 2,688 km from Ducie Island, Pitcairn Is. | N/A (scientific vessel only) |
Tristan da Cunha | South Atlantic Ocean | Yes (settlement) | ~250 residents | ~2,400 km to St. Helena (nearest inhabited) | Ship only (8–9 voyages per year from Cape Town) |
Ittoqqortoormiit (Scoresbysund) | Eastern Greenland | Yes (village) | ~350 residents | Coastal (Greenland mainland) | Helicopter or polar cruise (seasonal) |
Antarctica | Southern Ocean (continent) | Yes (research stations) | ~1,000–5,000 summer researchers | Ushuaia (Argentina) ~1,000 km | Expedition cruise, fly-cruise, limited air charters |
Pitcairn Islands | South Pacific Ocean | Yes (island) | ~40 residents | ~4,000 km to New Zealand | Supply ship (every few months), rare cruises |
Oymyakon (Russia) | Northeastern Siberia | Yes (village) | ~500 residents | ~500 km to Yakutsk, Russia | Road (4WD) or winter snow-road from Yakutsk |
Maroantsetra (Madagascar) | Northeast Madagascar | Yes (town) | ~30,000 residents | Coastal (Madagascar) | Poor roads; flights (infrequent) and boat |
Each profile below is organized by Location & Geography, History/Culture, Life Today, Visiting Tips, and Practical Information (costs, best seasons, packing). Along the way, you’ll find Insider Tips, Local Perspectives, and key callouts to enrich understanding.
What makes a place truly remote? Geographers and conservationists have devised objective measures (like a Remoteness Index) to quantify isolation: distance from roads, towns, airports, navigable waterways, and coastlines. The farther a point is from human infrastructure, the higher its remoteness score. But on the ground, remoteness also means limited access and profound solitude.
Point Nemo: At 48°52.6′S 123°23.6′W, Point Nemo lies in the Southern Pacific. It’s easiest to think of it as the center of an immense Pacific triangle. The nearest humans are often on a research vessel or spacecraft debris. This illustrates the purest form of remoteness: truly “off the grid,” beyond any permanent settlement.
Pole of Inaccessibility: The Eurasian pole (46°17′N 86°40′E) sits in a wind-swept expanse of Xinjiang, China. Accessing it would require crossing forbidding desert and mountains with no roads. The North American pole is in northern Canada (near Yukon’s Hennessy Lake). These are academic points on maps—visited only by researchers conducting extreme geography studies.
Measuring Distances: For this guide, we note each location’s distance from the nearest inhabited place and major transport hub. We also compare travel time. For example, Tristan da Cunha’s nearest inhabited neighbor (St. Helena) is ~2,400 km away, reachable only by a 6–7 day sea voyage.
Tristan da Cunha is a volcanic archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, a British Overseas Territory. Its main island (Tristan) lies at 37°05′S 12°17′W, roughly midway between South Africa and South America. The nearest landmass is the tiny island of Saint Helena, ~2,430 km to the north. Cape Town, South Africa, is about 2,816 km southeast. This is why Tristan da Cunha is often called the “furthest inhabited island from any continent.”
The main island is a rugged stratovolcano, Crowned by Queen Mary’s Peak (2,062 m). A ring of steep cliffs and steep ash slopes circles the central crater, making overland travel around the island very difficult. The only settlement, Edinburgh of the Seven Seas (coordinates roughly 37.066°S 12.313°W), lies in a small sheltered bay on the north coast. Outlying are the small island of Nightingale (200 km south, famous for bird colonies) and Gough Island (400 km southeast, a UNESCO World Heritage site).
All winds and storms come from the west. The climate is cool-temperate maritime: average highs of 15°C in summer and 10°C in winter. Frequent fog and winds (from the roaring forties) give Tristan an air of isolation.
Portuguese explorers sighted the islands in 1506, but no landing was made. The British formally claimed Tristan in 1816 (to prevent French use after Napoleon’s exile). They landed a garrison and some civilians, establishing the first permanent community. The founders’ descendants, along with newcomers from Ireland and elsewhere, form the unique Tristanian gene pool today.
For most of its history, Tristan’s population remained small (150–300). A major event occurred in 1961: a volcanic eruption of Queen Mary’s Peak forced an evacuation of all 264 residents to the UK for two years. They returned in 1963 to rebuild the settlement. Since then, population has hovered around 250–300. In 2024, estimates place it near 250 people (eight family names only, like Glass and Hagan, account for most residents).
Tristanians maintained a largely self-sufficient lifestyle until recent decades—growing potatoes, rearing sheep, and repairing their boats. The economy is now a mix of subsistence, limited tourism, and fishing. The famous Tristan rock lobster (exported by ship) has become a key export for the island.
Life on Tristan da Cunha is austere yet communal. With no airport or deep-water port, everything arrives by ship. There are no cars, only a handful of tractors. Electricity comes mostly from generators and (recently) some wind turbines. Internet access arrived via satellite only in the 21st century—slow and often limited.
All children attend a small school, and medical care is basic (a resident nurse; serious cases are evacuated by South African airlift when possible). There is a pub (the St. Mary’s Community Centre), a small museum, and a police force of one: the island’s Chief Islander acts as de facto mayor/police/administrator under the British Governor in Saint Helena.
Social life is tight-knit: weekly dance (diamonds, a local folk dance) and frequent community events. The official language is English, but Tristan’s accent is a distinct blend of old British and Irish influences. A local dialect has developed: for example, Tristanians say “bake” for the simple oven meal (fish, rice, pilchards baked in a pot).
Visiting Tristan da Cunha is a true expedition. There is no airport—access is only by sea. The MV Edinburgh (a South African research vessel/visitor ship) makes 1–2 stopovers annually, sometimes in February or March. A round-trip voyage from Cape Town takes about 8–9 days each way. There are no regular tourist sailings; visitors must find space on one of the island’s official supply voyages or on a private expedition vessel.
Once on shore, visitors usually stay with host families (homestays) as there are no hotels. The community welcomes travelers warmly but modestly; accommodations are simple (often a spare bed in a living room).
Ittoqqortoormiit (pronounced ih-toh-KOR-toor-meet) sits at 70°29′N 21°58′W on the eastern coast of Greenland, facing the vast Arctic Ocean. It lies at the entrance of Scoresby Sound, the world’s largest fjord system—an icy labyrinth 350 km long. Despite Greenland being part of North America, Scoresby Sound is so remote that Ittoqqortoormiit’s nearest neighbor is 400 km away by sea (the settlement of Tasiilaq, to the southwest).
The village is named after a French missionary’s Greenlandic word for “the Big House beside the long fjord.” Ittoqqortoormiit’s coastline is indented by tundra and drift ice for much of the year. In summer, icebergs calve off glaciers and fill the sound. In winter, the ocean freezes thick, blending town and fjord under a white blanket.
Founded in 1925 by approximately 80 Inuit families from southwest Greenland (along with a handful of Danish officials), Ittoqqortoormiit was established partly as a Danish effort to solidify sovereignty over East Greenland. The traditional hunting lifestyle of polar bears, seals, walrus, and narwhal has been practiced here for centuries, and it continues to shape life today.
The name Ittoqqortoormiit means “big house,” referring to the church and principal buildings. For decades, the village was isolated even by Greenland’s standards: no airstrip, only seasonal ship visits (until a helicopter pad was built in the 1980s). Over time, modern amenities arrived: solar panels, satellite internet, and a school. But Ittoqqortoormiit remains more “refuge from the world” than a usual Nordic town.
Approximately 350–400 residents (2024) live in Ittoqqortoormiit. The population has declined from a mid-20th-century peak (around 600) due to young people moving south. Life is centered around hunting, fishing, and small-scale community services.
Ittoqqortoormiit’s rhythm follows seasons and sea ice. The name Ittoqqortoormiit itself means “People of the large houses,” hinting at a communal tradition.
Reaching Ittoqqortoormiit is an adventure in itself. There is no car access from the rest of Greenland; one must either fly or sail.
There is one small guesthouse (offering a few rooms) and a tiny museum. Travelers should book months ahead. Bring thick cold-weather clothing even in summer—the sea fog is chilling.
Ittoqqortoormiit is a gateway to extraordinary Arctic nature:
Antarctica, Earth’s southernmost continent, covers nearly 14 million km² — larger than Europe — and is about 98% covered by ice. Its interior is the coldest, driest place on the planet (record low −89.2°C). Only hardy lichens, mosses, and microscopic algae eke out an existence on the coasts. The continent’s mean elevation is over 2,000 m due to the thick ice sheet.
Despite its harshness, Antarctica hosts more coastline than any other continent (12,000 km), with ice shelves meeting the Southern Ocean. The fringes of the continent warm enough in summer to allow penguin rookeries (Emperor and Adélie penguins), seals, and migratory whales along the shores.
Antarctica has no native or permanent civilian population. Around 70 countries maintain research bases. In summer (November–March), the population can swell to 1,000–5,000 across all stations (Source: IAATO data). In winter, only about 1,000 personnel remain (mostly in larger stations like McMurdo, Villa Las Estrellas, or Concordia).
Stations are self-contained communities: each has housing, labs, a small power plant, and usually a doctor. Internet and satellite links exist but are slow and prioritized for research data. Fresh produce is flown in to coastal stations in limited quantities; otherwise, diets are high in preserved foods and local proteins (fish and seal from scientific fishing programs, or penguin meat historical accounts).
Tourists do visit (roughly 50,000 per year, pre-2020). They are funneled through the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) to ensure environmental compliance. Most tourists land on the Antarctic Peninsula (see below), take zodiac excursions, and leave by March.
Antarctica ticks every box for remoteness:
These factors mean Antarctica sees no casual drop-ins. Every visit is carefully planned. It truly remains the last great wilderness.
The most common route is expedition cruising from Ushuaia, Argentina, between November and March:
Costs: Antarctic cruises range from ~$6,000 to $50,000+ depending on length and luxury level. Fly-cruise can save a couple of sea days but costs more. A budget traveler might find a 10-day cruise for ~$10,000 with early booking.
Best Time: Summer is the only feasible time. Early December to late February is peak season (penguin chicks, good weather). The “shoulder” months (Nov, Mar) see fewer tourists but risk icy conditions (the main cruise season is Dec–Feb).
On Board: Ships offer lectures on Antarctic wildlife and geology. Many have helicopters for short excursions. You’ll wake up to views of glaciers outside your cabin window and cross paths with whales spouting in the distance.
Antarctica’s purity is strictly protected. Key rules include:
Pitcairn is a group of four volcanic islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Only Pitcairn Island (47°04′S 128°22′W) is inhabited today. It lies roughly mid-way between New Zealand and South America: about 5,300 km northeast of Auckland and 4,300 km east of Tahiti. The three uninhabited atolls (Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno) lie within a few hundred kilometers.
Pitcairn’s tiny size (5 sq km) and extreme isolation make it legendary. There is no airport. The only reliable way in or out is a supply vessel from Mangareva, French Polynesia (over 500 km away), roughly every 3–4 months.
Pitcairn’s history is unique. In 1790, the mutineers of HMS Bounty (led by Fletcher Christian) landed on Pitcairn with a handful of wives (and husbands). They burned the ship to avoid detection. Over the years, the mutineers and Tahitian settlers intermarried and founded the community of Adamstown. Today, virtually all current islanders are direct descendants of those families.
Henderson Island, part of the group, is a UNESCO site for its birdlife and impact story (beaches littered with ocean trash despite no human landing in decades). The story of Pitcairn became widely known through books and a BBC documentary, which also exposed tragic scandals (child abuse cases that rocked the community in the early 2000s). Despite this history, the island has stabilized, and new rules prohibit permanent residency without council approval (to prevent exploitation).
Nearly every islander today has a surname like Christian, Young, Buffett, Quintal, or Evans—echoes of the original settlers. The population is officially multilingual: English is primary, but they speak a unique Pitkern language (derived from 18th-century British English and Tahitian). Children grow up bilingual, and families preserve folk songs and legends of the island’s founding.
Pitcairn has a curious marital history: early on, one mutineer married multiple Tahitian women, leading to polygamous strains. By 2000, the elder population mostly comprised intermarried families. The post-scandal era introduced stricter governance to attract new settlers.
In fact, Pitcairn has an immigration scheme since 2002: foreigners (especially those with needed skills) can apply to relocate, though few do (the full isolation is often daunting). Some Westerners have bought property and moved, drawn by the adventure. Every new birth or settler is a big event for Pitcairn’s sustainability.
Visiting Pitcairn requires planning and patience:
Visitors stay in modest guesthouses or one of two pensions (family-run). There is no restaurant; you rely on homestay meals of local fish, lobster, chicken, veggies, and the famed Pitcairn honey (tastes like wildflower with a hint of lime).
Oymyakon is a village in Russia’s Sakha Republic (Yakutia), at 63°27′N 142°47′E. It lies in the deep valleys of the South Siberian highlands, near the Indigirka River. Known as the “Pole of Cold,” Oymyakon recorded one of the lowest temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere: −67.7 °C (−89.9 °F) in 1933 (a disputed unverified record of –71.2°C is memorialized by a monument).
Technically, Verkhoyansk (200 km away) vies for that title, but Oymyakon holds the title for the coldest inhabited location on Earth. The average winter temperature is about −50 °C, and some winters spawn cold snaps down to −65 °C. Summers are brief but can reach 25 °C (producing a temperature amplitude of nearly 100° between seasons).
The unique geography of Oymyakon’s valley causes extreme cold trapping. Bitter Arctic air sinks into the valley at night, and temperature inversions lock it in. On clear, windless nights, the mercury plummets. The sun’s low angle in winter means heat gain is minimal.
Scientists note that Oymyakon’s winter lows have been steadily rising (i.e. slightly less cold) over recent decades, likely due to climate warming. Even so, it remains colder than any village on the Antarctic coast. The record low “–67.7 °C” was logged at a school weather station; a nearby monument (town square) reports an “unofficial” –71.2 °C reading from 1926, though official records focus on the 1933 data.
Winter days at −50 °C feel like −70 °C with wind chill. The only heat sources are wood stoves and the rare electric heater (most families can’t afford heavy electric bills). Elderly residents joke that their metal belt buckles freeze to belts at 30 below.
Survival is built into daily life:
Reaching Oymyakon is a journey in its own right. The village sits along the Kolyma Highway (Federal Route R504), nicknamed the “Road of Bones.” This gruesome moniker comes from its Stalin-era history: tens of thousands of Gulag prisoners died building this road in permafrost and are said to lie beneath its route.
The village of Oymyakon (Yakut for “unfrozen water”) paradoxically has a warm spring that never freezes, though locals poke fun that this only keeps a patch of ground churned mud.
Oymyakon is now reachable by adventurous travelers:
Costs: A guided winter tour (including lodging in a local home) can cost around $3,000–$5,000 per person for a week. Independent travel (fuel, vehicle rental, homestays) might run $1,500–$2,500. Entrance or participation fees for cultural sites are negligible.
Best Time: January-February offers the guaranteed deep cold experience (and chance to stand near that –67°C marker). However, November and March are almost as cold and have more daylight. Summer is bearably warm but misses the freeze highlight.
What to Pack: Arctic expedition gear is essential. Long underwear (silk or synthetic), fleece layers, an expedition parka rated for –60°C, insulated pants, thick wool socks, and heavy mittens. Forget fashion–everything must withstand ice. Bring a thermos for hot drinks on the go. And, absolutely, sunscreen and UV goggles – bright snow glare at high altitude is intense.
Maroantsetra (pronounced mah-roon-TSET-rah) is a coastal town on Madagascar’s northeastern tip, at 15°26′S 49°45′E. Nestled on Antongil Bay, it is isolated by rainforest and ocean: the capital Antananarivo is 600 km away as the crow flies, but no direct paved road connects them. The only regular road is an arduous 4×4 track through the highlands (often impassable in rain).
More significantly, Maroantsetra is the gateway to Masoala National Park – Madagascar’s largest protected area (over 2,300 km²) combining lowland rainforest, mountain jungle, and coral reefs. The peninsula (Masoala) juts into the Indian Ocean and Cape Masoala is Madagascar’s easternmost point. This peninsula is one of the wettest places on Earth, rained on by the Indian Ocean monsoons for much of the year.
Maroantsetra’s real draw is its proximity to Masoala National Park, which is accessible only by boat or hiking through dense jungle. It’s home to an astonishing biodiversity:
Madagascar’s isolation (having split from Africa ~165 million years ago) has led to extreme endemism. Near Maroantsetra:
Conservation is a mix of NGO projects and park regulations. Masoala was designated a national park in 1997, which helps protect it from slash-and-burn agriculture and logging. Still, poverty means some locals depend on the forest for vanilla, cloves, rice swidden farming, or bushmeat. Responsible visits can bring income and awareness to protect the ecosystem.
Reaching Maroantsetra tests one’s commitment:
Lodging includes a handful of simple hotels and ecolodges (often with cabanas). Travelers usually arrange a local guide through their lodge or via a reputable tour operator for park treks.
Costs: Madagascar is generally affordable. A guesthouse room might run $20–40/night. Hiring a local guide or boat can be $30–$50 per day (split among group). Flights and charters are the main expense (~$200 one-way).
Best Time: April–November is dry season (best for trekking and whale watching). December–March is cyclone season—roads are often impassable, and lodges may close. Rain gear is needed even in dry months for jungle humidity.
What to Pack: Light, long-sleeve clothing (mosquitos and sun). Waterproof hiking boots (trails are muddy even when it’s not raining). Binoculars and camera for wildlife. Water purification tablets (waterborne parasites are a risk). A sturdy mosquito net if lodging provides only a thin one. Also bring a basic first aid kit with antimalarials (Maroantsetra is a malaria area).
These destinations are all extreme, but how do they differ, and which might suit your travel goals? The comparison below helps make sense of their “remoteness metrics,” costs, and experiences. Use the tables and notes to quickly see contrasts.
Location | Nearest Inhabited Land | Distance to Nearest | Usual Access | Ease of Access |
Tristan da Cunha | St. Helena (UK) | ~2,400 km | Supply ship from Cape Town | Extremely hard – 8–9 day voyage, few trips/year |
Ittoqqortoormiit | Greenland mainland (Tasiilaq) | ~500 km (sea) | Helicopter/expedition cruise | Very hard – unpredictable charter flights |
Antarctica (Peninsula) | South America (Ushuaia) | ~1,000 km (ocean) | Cruise ship or fly-cruise | Hard – seasonal, expensive |
Pitcairn | Mangareva (French Polynesia) | ~500 km | Quarterly supply ship | Very hard – few ships/year |
Oymyakon | Yakutsk, Russia | ~500 km (road) | 4WD road, winter convoys | Hard – rough roads, extreme cold |
Maroantsetra | Antananarivo, Madagascar | ~400 km (straight) | Small plane or rough 4×4 | Moderate – flights possible, roads poor |
Cost Factor | Tristan da Cunha | Ittoqqortoormiit | Antarctica | Pitcairn | Oymyakon | Maroantsetra |
Round-trip travel ($) | ~6,000 (Cape Town–Tristan) | ~1,500–3,000 (Greenland transit + charter) | ~10,000–20,000 (cruise) | ~8,000 (supply ship + flights) | ~2,000 (flights + 4WD) | ~500 (domestic flight) |
Daily budget ($) | ~0–20 (homestay food, tours) | ~50 (guesthouse, meals) | Included in cruise fare | ~10 (meals in village) | ~50 (guide and lodging) | ~30 (lodging/meals) |
Tour packages | Rare (via expedition) | Yes, small adventure tours | Many (various lengths) | Almost none | Adventure tours winter-only | Eco-tours available |
Logistics difficulty | High (months of lead time) | High (weather-dependent) | Medium (book early) | High (infrequent transport) | Medium (self-arrange 4WD) | Medium (book flights/boats) |
Focus | Tristan da Cunha | Ittoqqortoormiit | Antarctica | Pitcairn | Oymyakon | Maroantsetra |
Nature | Temperate island ecology; unique birdlife | Arctic tundra, icebergs, polar bears | Polar icecap, penguins, whales | Tropical reefs, rare island plants | Siberian taiga, extreme cold | Tropical rainforest, lemurs, whales |
Culture | Maritime island community (British heritage) | Inuit hunting community | Scientific outpost culture | Descendants of Bounty mutineers (Pitkern English) | Yakut reindeer-herders culture | Malagasy coastal community (Betsimisaraka) |
Physical Demand | Hiking peak, boat transfers | Cold and rugged treks | Endurance (boat days, altitude on ships) | Hiking and snorkeling | Handling severe cold | Jungle trekking (heat/humidity) |
Wildlife | Albatrosses, sea lions | Polar bears, walrus, muskox | Penguins, seals, whales | Golden-fern trees, tropical fish | Arctic fox, reindeer (wild) | Lemurs, chameleons, marine turtles |
Remoteness Perception | Feels like end of world, small community | True Arctic frontier | Ultimate desert of humans | Castaway-like | Extreme cold outpost | Frontier rainforest outpost |
Best For | Cultural immersion, hiking, birding | Arctic adventure, indigenous culture | Polar epic adventure | History and isolation, reef diving | Extreme climate thrill, novelty | Wildlife viewing, research interest |
Location | Best Season(s) | Peak Season | Weather Hazards |
Tristan da Cunha | Nov–Mar (austral summer) | Dec–Feb | Rough seas (Mar–Oct); heavy rains |
Ittoqqortoormiit | Jul–Sep (polar summer) | Jul–Aug (cruises) | Sea ice (Oct–Jun); polar night (Oct–Apr) |
Antarctica | Nov–Mar (southern summer) | Dec–Jan | Sea ice late season; storms crossing Drake |
Pitcairn | Nov–Apr (southern summer) | Dec–Mar | Cyclone risk (Jan–Mar); high humidity |
Oymyakon | Jan–Feb (deep winter) | Jan (cold festival) | Extreme cold; deep snow (Nov–Mar) |
Maroantsetra | Apr–Nov (dry season) | May–Oct | Cyclones & floods (Dec–Mar); jungle humidity |
Traveling to the edge of the world requires more than a carry-on suitcase. Whether you’re joining a polar expedition or planning an eco-trek, thorough preparation is vital for safety and respect. Below is a guide to getting ready physically, mentally, and logistically for remote journeys.
Physical Fitness: Even “easy” remote trips involve more effort than ordinary vacations. Prepare by:
Mental Preparation:
Remote destinations demand specialized gear. Below is a consolidated checklist (adjusted per destination’s climate):
Equipment Checklist: Remember that airline weight limits might require shipping heavy gear in advance (e.g. to Ushuaia for Antarctica). Label all items clearly. For maritime transfers, pack any clothing or essentials in waterproof bags inside your checked luggage.
In remote locales, staying connected can be critical:
Standard travel insurance often excludes extreme or remote destinations. For these trips, look for providers specializing in adventure travel:
Remote trips can strain your health; plan accordingly:
Respecting local communities and environments is crucial:
The commonly cited most remote place on Earth (geographically) is Point Nemo in the South Pacific Ocean, located at 48°52.6′S 123°23.6′W. It is about 2,688 km from the nearest land (Ducie Island, part of Pitcairn; Maher Island off Antarctica; and Motu Nui near Easter Island). In terms of inhabited places, Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic (pop. ~250) is the furthest community from any other continental land.
Countries with extreme remoteness include Russia, Greenland (Denmark), and Chile (due to Antarctica). Russia’s Yakutia (Oymyakon) and Greenland’s eastern settlements (Ittoqqortoormiit) are among the planet’s most isolated communities. If considering oceanic isolation, United Kingdom’s territory of Tristan da Cunha and France’s overseas collectivity of French Polynesia (surrounding Pitcairn) also rank very high. The answer depends on criteria: remoteness by distance, access difficulty, or cultural isolation.
Geographers use measures like the Remoteness Index, which considers distance to roads, towns, or coasts. Another method is the concept of a pole of inaccessibility: the point farthest from any boundary (like coastlines). For example, Point Nemo is the oceanic pole. Remoteness also involves travel time: e.g., a village 200 km away might take days if by 4×4 through jungle or broken road.
Most can be visited with planning: – Tristan da Cunha: Yes, via supply ship (limited berths). Requires booking months ahead. – Ittoqqortoormiit: Yes, usually via expedition cruise or seasonal helicopter tours (summer). – Antarctica: Yes, via Antarctic cruise (limited to November–March) or fly-cruise. – Pitcairn: Yes, via quarterly supply ship from Mangareva or by rare cruise/charter. – Oymyakon: Yes, reachable by road from Yakutsk (summer 4×4 or winter snow convoy) or via special tours. – Maroantsetra: Yes, via domestic flight or tough overland route; stays in town & lodge-based trekking. All require advance permits and guides.
The oceanic pole of inaccessibility (Point Nemo) lies 2,688 km from the nearest land and hence from the nearest permanent settlements. On land, some research suggests a location in the Tibetan Plateau (around 46°17′N 86°40′E, northwestern China) is the point farthest from any ocean, but far from people the farthest settled points are often named the “Cardinal Caves” (∼49°28′N 23°23′W) in China, which is about 3,000 km from the nearest coast, and many kilometers from the nearest village.
People live in remote places for historical, economic, or cultural reasons: – Historical Settlement: Descendants of explorers or refugees (e.g., Bounty mutineers on Pitcairn; exiled or strategic posts like Tristan’s garrison). – Subsistence Lifestyle: Indigenous communities in Greenland or Siberia have traditional ties to land and livelihood (hunting/gathering) that predate modern borders. – Economic Opportunity: Outposts for mining, research, or fishing (e.g., research bases in Antarctica, or rural towns by mining in Siberia). – Isolation by Choice: Some seek solitude or off-grid living. Economic incentives or government support often sustain these communities despite their challenges.
No one lives permanently in Antarctica. The Antarctic Treaty prohibits military or commercial activities; all human presence is research-oriented. While some countries have “summer visitors” (scientists/crew) up to 5,000 people, their stay is temporary. A handful of children have lived at the Chilean Villa Las Estrellas base when their parents worked at the base school, but they eventually return home. Strict environmental and legal regimes mean no private residency.
Oymyakon, Russia holds that distinction for a settlement with year-round residents. It reached a recorded –67.7 °C (–89.9 °F). Another contender is Verkhoyansk (also in Yakutia), but Oymyakon’s village sits at a similar latitude and climate. These villages endure winter lows near –60 °C routinely.
Start preparing months in advance: – Research logistics: Visa, permits, shipping schedules, local contacts. – Fitness: Build endurance and strength (hiking, cold weather cardio). – Gear: Obtain specialized clothing (insulated jackets, waterproof boots), communication devices (satellite messenger), and first aid. – Insurance: Buy a plan that covers extreme conditions and evacuation. – Vaccines and health: Update vaccines; carry needed prescriptions; pack a robust first-aid kit. – Local culture: Learn key phrases (e.g., “hello” and “thank you” in local language), and read guides on local customs to show respect. – Emergency plan: Always file an itinerary and learn basic survival skills (fire starting, navigation with map/compass).
