The world is a vast place, and there are so many places that have yet to be discovered. Over eighty percent of the oceans are undiscovered and unmapped, so it is no wonder that there are so many places on land that have yet to be explored. From islands in Iceland to deserts in Africa, these are the most unexplored places on earth.
1. Pitcairn Islands
The Pitcairn Islands sit 3,300 miles off the coast of New Zealand, where no planes or helicopters have ever landed. The only way to get these islands is by a 32-hour boat ride from New Zealand. The Pitcairn Islands are a British Overseas Territory, and it is one of the least populated territories in the world, with only 50 residents. If anyone on the islands needs medical attention, they have to go to New Zealand or Fiji.
2. Namib Desert, South Africa
The southern region in the Namib Desert is mostly unexplored, and one of the dryest areas in the world. It is thought to be one of the earth's oldest deserts, but it does not have any vegetation. The name Namib in Khoekhoegowab means "vast place," which is fitting for this area. The contrasting colors of the landscape look like a painting, and it is a gorgeous scene.
3. Surtsey, Iceland
Surtsey is a volcanic island in southern Iceland. The island was formed from volcanic eruptions that occurred between 1963 to 1967. The only people who have ever been able to visit this island are highly trained scientists because the island is so new and people don't know much about the region. The only way non-scientists can see this island is from a small plane. UNESCO declared Surtsey as a world heritage site to keep it preserved.
4. Antarctica
Although there have been many expeditions to Antarctica, the continent is still widely unexplored. It is mostly uninhabited because of the extreme climates, which make it unlivable. The scientists who go to Antarctica stay at the research stations because it is too difficult to live there. The frozen tundra and unstable icy grounds make it almost impossible to explore until special equipment is developed.
5. Greenland
Greenland is a gorgeous country, but it is mostly untouched because of how inaccessible it is for tourists. Unlike Iceland, many remote areas in Greenland require boats or small planes, which most people do not want to use. If the country becomes more accessible, it could be a popular tourist destination because it is so beautiful and green. Those who have been able to visit describe Greenland as similar to Iceland, but less developed.
6. Salween River, China
The Salween River runs through China, Burma, and Thailand, and it is one of Southeast Asia's longest rivers. Although over ten million people live in the river's basin, there is still so much unexplored land along the river banks. People are unaware of what fish and marine life live within the waters, which makes the river a mystery to many people.
7. Devon Island, Canada
Devon Island in Canada is known as a "polar desert," according to NASA. The ice-covered island is the largest uninhabited piece of land on earth. Devon Island has such extreme temperatures that no one has inhabited it since the 1930s or '40s. Today, the island is used for NASA research because it mimics the conditions on Mars. The space program tested equipment and spaces suits on Devon Island before sending them into orbit.
8. Son Doong Cave, Vietnam
The Son Doong Cave in Vietnam's Nha-Ke Bang National Park dates back to prehistoric times, and it was only rediscovered in 2008. It was first discovered in 1990, and then the location was lost until the mid-2000s. This picturesque cave is the world's largest natural cave, and it was formed around three million years ago. The cave was finally opened to the public in 2013, and it is a popular tourist destination because of its natural beauty.