untouched corners of the earth

Also known as the Cocos islands, only 2 of the 24 of the South Keeling islets are inhabited, with a combined population of 600 people. Located between Australia and Sri Lanka, the islands have served a historically tactical function given their proximity to the Indian Ocean and South China shipping routes, and the presence of a major communication station on Direction Island vied for during both World Wars.

Situated between New Zealand and Australia, Macquarie Island is home to two key things between 20 40 people, and the entire Royal Penguin population during nesting season. All of the Royal Penguins. On Earth. In one place.

The little counterpart of Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Rapa Iti is home to 497 people and several migratory bird species, making the island an IBA (Important Bird Area). Known colloquially as Rapa, the name refers to territory which includes a small handful of largely uninhabited islands, and 4 large volcanic rocks.

The sprawling farmland of Motuo county averages one person per square mile, and has a pleasant climate giving life to over 3,000 distinct species of plants. The last county in all of China without road access, Metuo only gained a highway in 2010, which means that its only a matter of time before buildings start cropping up aggressively in the region.

A remote peninsula marking the very northern tip of Queensland, Cape York Peninsula remains the home of many aboriginal communities, despite the infertility of the soil in the region. The secret of Cape York might be out (as the area is seeing an influx of nature and camping minded tourists) but preservation of the peninsula has been a priority since the 90s, and development there is strictly controlled.

The massive 116,400 square miles that make up Koryak Okrug houses the smallest population of all of the Federal subjects of Russia. For whatever reason, people seem to be moving away from Koryak Okrug at a relatively steady rate, meaning it may become one of the largest abandoned areas in the next few decades.

This volcanic island 280 miles from Antarctica is completely uninhabited, largely due to pack ice and glacial cover making it all but inaccessible. The majority of life that exists on Peter I consists almost exclusively of seals and seabirds.This volcanic island 280 miles from Antarctica is completely uninhabited, largely due to pack ice and glacial cover making it all but inaccessible. The majority of life that exists on Peter I consists almost exclusively of seals and seabirds.

Representing a huge chunk of the fabled Tibetan Plateau, Changtang is home to almost exclusively nomadic peoples, who roam with livestock as the climate is too harsh to set up permanent farms. It is also home to the worlds highest inhabited village, Karzok, on the bank of the Tsomoriri lake.

After the Russian word for forest, the Siberian Taiga is an ecoregion in the largest biome in the world. Spanning over 1,505,700 square miles, the Siberian Taiga is remarkably biodiverse, with over 2,300 species of plants alone despite harsh growth conditions.