Nauru, the third smallest and second least populated country in the world, stands as perhaps the most isolated sovereign state on Earth. Located about 300 kilometers from its nearest neighbor, Banaba Island in Kiribati, its extreme remoteness and diminutive population translate to an exceptionally low number of flights, making it the least visited country globally, with only about 200 tourists each year.

Despite its lack of industry and geographical seclusion, Nauru enjoyed a brief period of extraordinary wealth in the late 1960s and 1970s, fueled by its once-abundant phosphate reserves. These deposits, formed from centuries of accumulated seabird droppings (known as guano), propelled the nation to the top of GDP rankings per capita. However, as the phosphate was ultimately depleted and the prosperity proved fleeting, the economy was left in shambles.

In the wake of this decline, the Nauruan government turned to a somewhat controversial alternative for revenue: hosting migrant detention centers for individuals intercepted en route to Australia. These asylum seekers await the processing of their claims on this far-flung island.

The environmental toll of phosphate mining has also been severe. With much of the arable land decimated, Nauru imports the majority of its food, much of which is processed and unhealthy. This reliance has contributed to the highest obesity rate in the world, with 61% of the population classified as obese.

Nevertheless, Nauru’s isolation apparently has its perks. While economic challenges persist, the country remains largely untouched by global turmoil. For instance, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Nauru had almost no recorded cases of infection, a true outlier on the world’s stage.

Nestled in the South Atlantic Ocean, Saint Helena forms part of the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha, a trio of isolated islands rising from the ginormous blue expanse. Situated approximately 2,000 kilometers off the coast of West Africa, Saint Helena historically served as a vital stopover for ships traveling between Asia and Europe.

In fact, its strategic location once made it a coveted asset for European maritime powers, with early colonization by the Portuguese and Dutch preceding British rule. Architectural remnants of these early settlers are scattered across the island, many of which seamlessly blend into its settlements and rugged landscape.

The advent of steamships and the opening of the Suez Canal in the 19^th century rerouted maritime traffic, and by doing so, left Saint Helena as a quiet, distant outpost of the British Empire.

Despite this, the island holds a lasting fame as the place where Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. Longwood House, where he spent his final years, now serves as a museum owned by the French government and attracts a small but devoted stream of history buffs.

Until recently, reaching Saint Helena was a daunting endeavor that entailed a five-day voyage from Cape Town via infrequent shipping routes, a journey few travelers were willing to undertake. Today, however, the island’s isolation has eased somewhat with the opening of a modern airport, which offers regular air connections to South Africa, Ascension Island, and possibly London via Gambia in the future.

Ever since the airport was inaugurated, each scheduled flight has become an event for local islanders, who gather in large numbers to watch planes land and take off. This, in turn, underscores that what we often take for granted is a rarity for people living in such utter isolation.

At first glance, Russia and the United States appear worlds apart geographically. However, the two nations are separated by less than 4 kilometers at their closest point — the Diomede Islands. These frigid and rugged landmasses are located in the far reaches of the northern hemisphere.

The smaller eastern island, Little Diomede, belongs to the US state of Alaska, while the larger western island, Big Diomede, is under Russian jurisdiction. This proximity makes the maritime border between them also a continental divide. For centuries, the islands were inhabited by Inuit groups who moved freely between them, a practice that ended when Alaska was sold to the U.S. and an international boundary was established, dividing the islands.

In winter, when the surrounding waters freeze, it is theoretically possible, yet strictly illegal, to traverse the ice from the U.S. to Russia, thus making this strip of icy surface the only land border between the two countries. Notably, the islands also sit on opposite sides of the International Date Line. As a result, Little Diomede and Big Diomede are separated by a 21-hour time difference, earning them the monikers “yesterday island” and “tomorrow island” respectively.

During the Cold War, Big Diomede’s inhabitants were relocated to mainland Russia to make way for a military base. Today, the village of Diomede on Little Diomede remains the only populated settlement throughout the islands. Home to about 120 residents, it ranks among the most isolated communities in the country.

The village’s remoteness is reflected in its logistics: the sole means of reaching Diomede is by chopper from Nome, Alaska. Remarkably, it is the only place in the United States where mail is delivered by helicopter, a service that costs on average a whopping $300,000 annually.

With a population of just 34 (as of 2023), Pitcairn Island, a British overseas territory, holds the hefty title of the least populated national entity across the globe — 22 times smaller than the Vatican City, the world’s smallest sovereign country.

Despite its tiny size, extreme remoteness, and the lack of economic clout, this archipelago of four islands is famed for its tumultuous history. In 1789, nine mutineers from the HMS Bounty and 14 Tahitian women established a settlement on Pitcairn. It was here, in the following years that a distinctive biracial community evolved, boasting its own cultural traditions and a hybrid language, Pitkern, which blends elements of both English and Tahitian.

Of the four islands constituting the Pitcairn Islands, only one, Pitcairn Island, is currently inhabited, while the other isles are dominated by nature, serving as home for endemic species of flora and fauna. Historically, its isolation and lack of resources resulted in a mass emigration of Pitcairn islanders to Norfolk Islands, where even to these days large percentage of the population has Pitcairnese ancestry.

While industrial production is non-existent on the island, Pitcairn’s locally produced honey stands out for its exceptional quality. Free from pesticides and bee diseases, it was favored by none other than Queen Elizabeth II and the rest of the British royal family. This premium honey can be purchased online and in select luxury stores in London.

With no airports and situated hundreds of kilometers from the nearest inhabited landmass, Pitcairn Island is among the world’s most challenging destinations to reach. However, for determined adventurers willing to invest the time and expense, the MV Silver Supporter, the island’s sole freight vessel, offers passage. This ship makes periodic round trips from Mangareva Island in French Polynesia, a journey few undertake but many dream of.

If an unsuspecting traveler were teleported to Tristan da Cunha’s main island, they might mistake it for a Scottish isle, with its lush green pastures and grazing sheep. However, appearances can be deceiving. This South Atlantic archipelago lies approximately 2,800 kilometers from the nearest continental landmass, positioned halfway between Africa and South America, making it the most remote inhabited place on Earth.

Tristan da Cunha owes its name to the Portuguese explorer who first sighted it. Today, it is part of the British overseas territory of Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha. The archipelago comprises several islands and islets, but only Tristan da Cunha Island is inhabited. Home to a close-knit community of 250 residents, the island’s sole settlement, Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, boasts many modern amenities, including electricity, internet, and even a local pub.

The towering Tristan Volcano rules over the island’s landscape. Its last eruption, in 1961, forced the entire population to evacuate to England for two years or so, though the settlement was largely spared from destruction. Intrepid visitors can hike to the volcano’s 2,062-meter summit, but the climb requires guided assistance and a fair level of physical fitness.

Like its sister island, Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha became increasingly isolated after the opening of the Suez Canal. This isolation allowed its small population – fewer than 100 people until the 20^th century—to develop a unique English dialect and distinct cultural quirks. It is for this reason that nowadays, conversations with locals often turn into amusing and enlightening experiences.

Getting to Tristan da Cunha demands meticulous planning. With no airport, the only access is via supply ships that depart from Cape Town around 9–10 times annually, each journey taking about 10 days. Globetrotters seeking this once-in-a-lifetime experience should prepare well in advance. Visit the official Tristan da Cunha website or email [email protected] for further details.