Extreme travel and living: Life in the world’s most remote towns

Imagine living in a place where the nearest city is hundreds of miles away, supplies arrive only a few times a year, and nature reigns supreme. These remote settlements, often home to just a handful of resilient residents, offer a glimpse into a life far removed from the modern world's hustle and bustle. These towns are a testament to human endurance and adaptability. Let’s explore some of the most isolated towns on Earth and what makes them truly unique.

Tucked away on the eastern coast of Greenland, Ittoqqortoormiit is one of the most isolated inhabited places in the world. With a population of around 450 people, this small settlement is surrounded by vast stretches of ice, towering fjords, and Arctic wilderness. The residents rely on hunting, fishing, and subsistence living, with polar bears and narwhals being common sights in the region.

Located in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean, Tristan da Cunha is one of the most remote inhabited islands in the world. The nearest landmass, South Africa, is over 2,400 km away, and reaching this volcanic island requires a week-long boat journey from Cape Town. The island has a small population of around 250 residents, all of whom are descendants of a few British settlers who arrived in the 19th century.

Nestled high in the Peruvian Andes at an altitude of 5,100 meters (16,700 feet), La Rinconada is the highest permanent settlement in the world. This town has around 50,000 people. The extreme altitude makes breathing difficult, and the lack of infrastructure means that residents live without running water, proper sanitation, or healthcare facilities.

Known as one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth, Oymyakon is a Siberian village where winter temperatures regularly plummet below -50 degrees Celsius (-58 degrees Fahrenheit), with a record low of -67.7 degrees Celsius (-89.9 degrees Fahrenheit). The ground remains permanently frozen, making it impossible to grow crops. Cars must be kept running to prevent their engines from freezing, and schools only close when temperatures drop below -52 degrees Celsius (-61.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

Hidden deep inside the Grand Canyon, Supai is the most remote town in the contiguous United States. It is home to the Havasupai Tribe, whose ancestors have lived in the canyon for centuries. The town has no road access, and the only ways to reach it are by hiking an 8-mile (13 km) trail, riding a mule, or taking a helicopter. Supai is famous for its breathtaking blue-green waterfalls, such as Havasu Falls.

Coober Pedy is a surreal town in the Australian Outback, known as the "opal capital of the world" due to its extensive opal mining industry. Because of the extreme desert heat, with summer temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F), most residents live underground in dugout homes carved into the hills. These subterranean houses maintain a comfortable temperature year-round, protecting inhabitants from the scorching sun.

The northernmost town with over 1,000 residents, Longyearbyen is located in the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. This remote settlement experiences extreme polar conditions, with several months of continuous darkness in winter and 24-hour sunlight in summer. The town has strict laws, including a ban on burials due to permafrost preventing decomposition!