What is the most remote inhabited settlement in the world? It could only be an island, clearly lost in the middle of the ocean. In particular, it concerns Tristan da Cunha: A name that probably means very little to most people. The closest place to find other people permanently is more than 2,000 kilometers away, and communications are also limited due to poor infrastructure. Let’s learn more about this real hermitage.

Tristan da Cunha, a faraway place

Geographically, Tristan da Cunha is a small archipelago It is located in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, yet it is also the name by which the largest island is known – as well as the only inhabited island. The other islands (Inaccessible Island, Nightingale Islands and Gough Island) are completely inhospitable patches of land, and here nature has taken over. But let us return to Tristan da Cunha: it is an active volcanic island, of a rather mountainous appearance, and its highest peak is Queen Mary’s Peak Which reaches an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level.

The only flat area is also the hosting area city ​​of edinburgh seven seas, The capital of the archipelago, here is concentrated just over 250 residents who live permanently on the island. Its main feature is its remoteness from the rest of the world: the nearest inhabited settlement is the island of Saint Helena, which is about 2,400 kilometers away. If we talk instead about the nearest continental city, we have to arrive at nothing else but Cape townin South Africa: 2800 km of navigation.

In addition to distance, the main difficulty in communication is Tristan da Cunha It has neither an airport nor a port. It can only be reached by sea, within 5-7 days of navigation departing from South Africa, and in any case it is necessary to go offshore and then reach the coast in small fishing boats. Not to mention that if weather conditions are bad, The island may remain completely inaccessible Even for months. In short, we are truly facing the most remote inhabited place in the world.

History and living conditions in Tristan da Cunha

The island was discovered in the early sixteenth century by Portuguese navigator Tristão da Cunha, who gave it his name – without ever landing there. The first expeditions did not take place until more than a century and a half later, but there was no real attempt to colonize the island until the nineteenth century, when the English sent about seventy people there: only four of them decided to stay, including William GlassWho is considered the true founder of the settlement. Little by little, other brave people joined the small town, and its current population reached just over 250 people.

Living in Tristan da Cunha is certainly not easy: the isolation is almost complete, and the inhabitants live mainly in private Fishing, farming and livestock raising. However, there is everything you could need, including a hospital, two churches, a school and two meeting places. Curiosity: Immigration is banned on the island, although tourists are welcome – at least the brave few willing to brave the crossing – and there is the possibility of moving temporarily for work. Of course, there is no shortage of problems. starting from Scarcity of resources To achieve health: Scientists have observed a particular prevalence of genetic diseases due to breeding in a very limited environment of humans.