Why Nobody Is Allowed To Move To The Most Isolated Town In The World

This town isn’t off the beaten path, its literally the most isolated community in the world. Technically there are towns further in distance from the rest of civilization but Tristan da Cunha and its lone village Edinburgh of the Seven Seas have no airport and the only way to get there is a 7 day sea voyage from South Africa. Its 250 residents live with almost no contact with the outside world and if you are interested in joining them in the sweet solitude of vastness of the Atlantic, tough luck because nobody else can move there. Enjoy this detailed exploration of the history of the island and what makes it the most remote place to live on earth.
Located in the South Atlantic, Tristan da Cunha holds the title of Earth’s most isolated settlement. Home to fewer than 250 people, this volcanic island’s only village, Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, sits on a rare flat coastal plain, surrounded by 1,900 cliffs and the towering 6,765 foot tall Queen Mary’s Peak.
Unmatched Isolation
This volcanic island is a literally world apart: 1,510 miles from St. Helena (another British Overseas Territory)1,740 miles from South Africa, and 2,050 miles from South America. With no airport or airstrip, a fishing vessel from Cape Town docks just 8-9 times a year, each trip taking a week or more. The Roaring 40s (latitudes between 40 and 50 degrees south of the equator) winds deliver wild, unpredictable weather, dictating everything from fishing for food to planting potatoes.
A Remote Archipelago
Tristan anchors a far-flung archipelago:
- Inaccessible Island: A UNESCO World Heritage site with cliffs that have wrecked ships, home to the world’s smallest flightless bird.
- Nightingale Island: A bird sanctuary where islanders hunt and gather eggs seasonally.
- Gough Island: Another UNESCO site, staffed by a six-person Antarctic weather station crew.
A History of Grit
Sighted in 1506, permanent settlement began in 1816 when British soldier William Glass stayed after a military garrison left. Shipwrecked sailors and St. Helena brides built a community, now defined by seven surnames. In 1961, a volcanic eruption forced all 264 residents to evacuate to England, but most returned in 1963 to rebuild.
Life on the Edge
Today’s residents are all tied to early settlers. A school, hospital, post office, store, and the Albatross Bar serve the village. Lobster fishing fuels the economy, while families farm potatoes and raise livestock. Crime is essentially non-existant, doors stay unlocked, and community reigns.
No Room for Outsiders
Relocating here? Nearly impossible. Residency is for those born on the island, with rare exceptions for temporary workers like doctors. Marrying in requires council approval to protect scarce resources and a delicate ecosystem. The population, down from 293 in 2016, is aging and shrinking, casting doubts on the settlement’s future. Tristan da Cunha offers unmatched safety, community, and rugged beauty for those who call it home. Here’s the question, would you chose to live in complete isolation on this far flung speck on the map?

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