Many people dream of a secluded corner where the eternal sun warms, birds chirp merrily, and gentle sea waves soothe with their rhythmic noise ... Such places are usually safe and have a unique charm. At the same time, not everyone prefers to live in the picturesque paradises depicted in the photographs of travelers! There are also those who strive for extreme places where most people would not stand a day. Here are some examples of such unusual places on Earth where brave people live. Is it of your own free will?
Java Island, Indonesia
At first glance, it seems strange that the island of Java was included in this list. However, the reason lies in its climate and volcanic nature. The island has consistently high humidity, which increases during the rainy season: in such conditions, tropical diseases easily develop.
But the real reason that the island is an extreme place has to do with its volcanic origin. Most of the volcanoes in Java are dormant or inactive, but some of them are ready to wake up at any moment, and from time to time this happens. For example, Mount Merapi erupts approximately every 7 years: small eruptions occur twice a year, and constantly the volcano emits harmful gases into the atmosphere. Merapi repeatedly caused the death of the local population, in particular, at the beginning of the XI and at the end of the XVII centuries.
Lake Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda
Professional shots of Lake Kivu create the illusion of a quiet and peaceful environment in which residents enjoy life. However, in addition to the usual poverty and crime in Central Africa, there is a much greater threat here. The waters of the lake are rich in carbon dioxide and methane, especially in the lower layers: the volume of methane is estimated at 55 billion cubic meters. Despite the fact that this seems to be a potential source of income for local residents, it is actually a mortal danger, as the region is prone to seismic activity. Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes can cause the release of gases, as happened in 1986 on Lake Nyos, when the release of gas led to the death of 1750 people. Residents living along Lake Kivu are on the verge of danger that could overtake them at any moment.
Mingjin, China
Mingjin is a district of Wuwei City, located in Gansu Province, China. About 240,000 people live here, which indicates relatively favorable living conditions. However, the reality is far from that. Mingjin is located between two deserts, and the only source of water for the inhabitants is the Shiyang River. Unfortunately, due to the heavy use of water upstream, the water table has dropped and the river has dried up. The soil in the Mingjin area is completely infertile, there is no water, and sandstorms have become commonplace.
Maldives, Republic of Maldives
Some may be surprised to see the Maldives on this list, because this place is known as a paradise with sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, fruits and a variety of marine life! All this is really wonderful for tourists, but the life of the locals is completely different. Let's leave aside the poverty in which they are forced to work for food, serving wealthy visitors from Europe and America. The bigger problem is the location of the Maldives above sea level. The highest point of the archipelago, Addu, rises above the Indian Ocean by only 2.5 m. Due to climate change, the atolls are already beginning to sink because natural coral reefs are being destroyed due to rising ocean temperatures and human impacts, including the harmful effects of tourism. Soon, the Maldives may completely disappear under water, and the question arises: where to relocate the 400,000 people affected by this cataclysm?
Oymyakon, Russia
Oymyakon is a village in the Oymyakonsky district of Yakutia, one of the Poles of Cold on the planet. The Oymyakon Valley is considered the harshest place on Earth with a permanent population. For presentation: the minimum temperature here reaches -68 degrees, and this is only officially recognized data! In 1926, geologist Sergei Obruchev noted in his diary a temperature of -71.3, although this value has not been confirmed.
However, even more dangerous than low temperatures is their difference. In winter, the thermometer can drop below 60 degrees, while in summer it can rise to +30 and above. Thus, the annual temperature difference reaches 90 degrees - such a spread is very harmful to human health.
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands may seem like another tropical paradise, but in reality this place is quite extreme for life. First of all, there are no natural sources of fresh water on the island, so the locals have to desalinate seawater.
But the main danger here is natural disasters. Grand Cayman is considered the capital of hurricanes, as storms pass here every two years at least. Since 1871, the island has experienced 63 hurricanes, many of which have had catastrophic consequences. For example, in 2004, Category 5 Hurricane Ivan destroyed up to 80% of all structures on the island. However, people not only stay here, but also restore buildings, continuing to live in anticipation of new elements. The island even has a town called Hell, which highlights the difficult living conditions in the area.
Gonaïves, Haiti
Haiti itself is a dangerous place due to extreme poverty and high crime, but the city of Gonaïves also suffers from tropical cyclones that devastate it again and again. Gonaïves, the country's third-largest city with a population of about 300,000 people, is located in a floodplain that makes it vulnerable to hurricanes. For example, in September 2004, Hurricane Jeanne caused severe flooding and landslides, and four years later the city was again devastated by Hurricane Hannah. Such events are repeated all the time, but residents continue to return and rebuild their homes.
Dallol, Ethiopia
Dallol is a settlement located in the Afar Basin in Ethiopia, at an "altitude" of 120 m below sea level. Although officially the settlement is considered uninhabited, people working on a rotational basis temporarily live here.
Dallol is included in the list of extreme places on Earth because of its climatic and environmental features. The average annual temperature in Dallol is +35 degrees, which makes it one of the hottest places on the planet. In addition, the settlement is surrounded by an unfriendly environment, including an active volcano, constant sulfur emissions and lack of vegetation.
