Persistent aborigines. The Most Extreme Settlements on the Planet
Dallol, Efiopiya
Located in the village of Ethiopia Dallol is definitely considered one of the most extreme on the planet. That's the hottest place in the world, which you can reach only using caravan routes. The exact number of inhabitants of the settlement is unknown. The most detailed studies were carried out in this sultry area in 60s of the last century. Then researchers found out that the mean annual temperature in the region of Dallol is 34 degrees Celsius, which is the absolute maximum in the world.
There are several salt deposits in the region; salt extraction is carried out today. The first settlement in the hot desert was founded over 50 years ago, a significant part of its population was engaged in the development of the mountain mines. When the industrial potential of the mines dried up, the majority of residents left the village. However, some of them stayed. They now continue to work with salt deposits.
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Tristan da Cunha, United Kingdom
Tristan da Cunha, United Kingdom
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One of the most remote settlements on the planet is located on the island of Tristan da Cunha. The population of the island that is situated in the southern part of the Atlantic Ocean, is about 250 people. The place is located within a huge distance from the continents. It is more than 2 800 km off the South African coast and more than 3 300 km off the coast of South America. Tristan da Cunha is the largest island of the archipelago of the same name. That’s the only island where people live. Complete article
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Verkhoyansk, Russia
Verkhoyansk, Russia
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The coldest city in the world is situated in Russia. The average annual temperature in Verkhoyansk is -18.6 degrees Celsius. Its population is more than 1 100 people. Local residents love their city and don't leave it even because of harsh climatic conditions. Verkhoyansk is the northernmost city of Yakutia. In winter, the temperature is often below 60 degrees subzero. This far northern city was founded in the 17th century. For many years, political exiles have being sent there. Complete article
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Cherrapunji, India
Cherrapunji, India
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In India, travelers will have an opportunity to visit a small town of Cherrapunji, which is considered the rainiest settlement in the world. It's raining here literally every day. On average, it's about 12 000 mm of rainfall per year. About 10 000 people constantly live in the town. Daily walks down the street with an umbrella or raincoat become a commonplace for them. The town has a large cement factory, and there are several industrial centers for the extraction of coal and limestone in the surrounding area. Complete article
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La Rinconada, Peru
La Rinconada, Peru
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One of the most extreme settlements in the world is in Peru. La Rinconada is situated in the Alps, at an altitude of 5 100 meters above sea level. This tiny town is the highest settlement in the world. It was founded by settlers, who were attracted to these remote places by the discovered reserves of the gold ore. Despite the fact that it is very hard to live at such a height because of thin air and harsh climatic conditions, the population of La Rinconada is still growing steadily. Complete article
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Java, Indonesia
Java, Indonesia
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The settlement, located on the island of Java, is worth to be mentioned among the most extreme. Here, people literally live on a volcano. The island features the world famous Merapi volcano that is the most active of the 128 volcanoes in Indonesia. On average, the structure erupts twice a year, and large destructive explosions occur every seven years. Literally, every such an explosion takes lives and razes settlements. About 500 000 people live in the immediate vicinity of the volcano. Complete article
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Motu, China
Motu, China
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The isolated town of Motu in China has a population of about 10 000 people. Only a 200-meter long suspension bridge connects this settlement with the outside world. Not everyone dares to pass through it. All other roads were destroyed by mudslides and avalanches. Adherents of the Buddhist religion consider Motu to be sacred. It is visited by devotees and pilgrims each year. Complete article
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San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
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In Chile, the most extreme is the town of San Pedro de Atacama. It is situated right in the barren Atacama Desert. The place is considered one of the driest sites in the world. In average, there falls no more than 10 mm of rain per year. About 5 000 people are constantly living in this desert town. San Pedro de Atacama is one of the few extreme settlements in the world, which can be very amazing to tourists. Here, you can see a lot of unique attractions. Complete article
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Illoqqortoormiut, Greenland
Illoqqortoormiut, Greenland
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A town with a complicated name Illoqqortoormiut is situated in Greenland. That's the northernmost settlement in the world; its permanent population is about 500 people. Getting to this remote town, which was founded in 1925, is very difficult. A few months in the year, it can be reached by helicopter or by boat. The main mean of transport that connects the town with other areas of Greenland is a plane. Complete article
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Pitcairn, United Kingdom
Pitcairn, United Kingdom
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To the South of Pacific there is a nice island of Pitcairn. It is the largest island of the archipelago of the same name. The area of this island is a little more than 4.5 square km. According to recent data, about 50 people live there constantly. The history of this tiny island is very rich and amazing. The first settlements on its territory were founded in the late 18th century. The initial settlers were rebels from Bounty ship. Today the island has a bay named after that ship. Complete article
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Longyearbyen, Norway
Longyearbyen, Norway
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In Norway, on the island of Spitsbergen there is the town of Longyearbyen, where life may also seem extreme for many residents of large cities. This town that was founded in 1906, is home to about 2 000 people. The crime rate in this city is one of the lowest in the world. However, there are firearms in virtually every home. Local residents need it to protect themselves from polar bears in the event of an attack. Complete article
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Adak, USA
Adak, USA
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There is a picturesque Aleutian archipelago in the United States; this is where the town of Adak is situated. This settlement was founded after the Second World War as a military base. After some time, it has lost its strategic and military importance. However, this small town close to the mainland is still home to around 300 people. Adak is the Alaska's southernmost town, which is characterized by the wet and windy climate. Most of the year, the sun is hidden behind the overcast. Fogs are very often in the town and gusty winds rarely stop there. Complete article
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Slums of Makoko, Nigeria
Slums of Makoko, Nigeria
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The most extreme settlement in Nigeria is the Makoko slum. Many parts of it are known under the unofficial name, the Black Venice. Makoko is one of the areas of Lagos, it borders with the most advanced and modern districts of the city with banks and office centers. Black Venice consists of few streets built just over the water. People here live in wooden huts. Just an appearance of these structures could plunge into horror. It seems that dilapidated wooden houses may collapse into the water at any time. Complete article
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Coober Pedy, Australia
Coober Pedy, Australia
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Australia has one of the most unique cities in the world, Coober Pedy, where the life may seem impossible for many people. This city is known informally as the world capital of opal. This region owes about 30 percents of world reserves of this mineral. The main feature of the town, which makes it an extreme life, is its harsh weather. Exhausting hot and catastrophic dust storms have forced natives to literally hide under the ground. Complete article
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Ciudad Juarez, Mexico
Ciudad Juarez, Mexico
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The most extreme city in Mexico is Ciudad Juarez. That's not because of the risk of natural disasters or harsh weather. The main problem of this city, which, at first glance, doesn’t differ from other Mexican cities, is its unfavorable crime situation. The actual owners of the city are large criminal groups, and clashes between them affect ordinary citizens. Murders and other crimes are happening every day. Local authorities and the police in any way can't establish peaceful life in the city. Complete article
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