Located in the middle of the Eastern Pacific, "Point Nemo" could be considered the "loneliest" place on earth as the island is the farthest from any mainland or island. Specifically, it is 1,670 miles from the nearest mainland.
Surveying the world, scientists have been able to determine the exact distance between any two places. Of course, there are places on earth that are farther from other busier places and are therefore considered 'lonelier'. Take for example the inhabited island of Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic, which is more than 1,250 miles (2,000 kilometers) from the nearest inhabited island (St. Helena) or even more than 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometers) from the nearest mainland (South Africa). Measured by this distance, Tristan da Cunha is the loneliest inhabited place in the world.
Only the uninhabited Norwegian Bouvet Island in the South Atlantic is even lonelier. The nearest inhabited island is Tristan da Cunha, 2,200 kilometers away, and mainland South Africa is even more than 2,500 kilometers away.
Where is Point Nemo?
However, there is one place on earth that is even more remote in the Pacific Ocean. Although there is no land mass, this place known as "Point Nemo" is the loneliest place on our planet at 1,670 miles (2,688 kilometers) from the nearest mainland.
Point Nemo is so isolated that the closest people are actually the astronauts on the International Space Station, only about 400 kilometers away on a direct flyby.
However, because this location is so far from the nearest mainland, it is now also used as a space graveyard for obsolete satellites and space stations. These are deliberately brought down over the site to minimize the risk of falling onto inhabited areas or a shipping lane when entering the atmosphere.
How long would it take to get to Point Nemo?
Your travel time to Point Nemo depends entirely on your travel style. The fastest boat took 15 days, 10 hours and 37 minutes to get there. With your own sailboat you can reach the most remote point in the world within a month, but you need good winds for that.
You could reach Point Nemo in less than 10 hours by plane, but if you're really in a hurry to visit this place, you'll have to jump out of the ISS. Whenever the International Space Station flies over it, it is closer to Point Nemo than any other mainland or island on Earth.
Name: Point Nemo.
Age: First discovered in 1992 by surveyor Hrvoje Lukatela.
Appearance: A lot of water surrounded by more water.
How do I get there? I wouldn't bother: the trip would be a huge expense for very little way back.
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| Is there something going on at Point Nemo? Yes. plastics. Up to 26 microplastic particles per cubic meter have been found in seawater samples collected near Point Nemo from passing ships participating in the Volvo Ocean Race. Photos: Guardian |
So what's the point of Point Nemo? It's officially the oceanic pole of inaccessibility.
What does that even mean? It's the place in the ocean furthest from land in any direction - practically in the middle of nowhere.
And where is that exactly? Point Nemo is located at 48°52.6′S 123°23.6′W, more than 1,600 km from three equidistant islands, including Easter Island.
That sounds difficult to get there. So much so that often the people closest to Point Nemo are on board the International Space Station.
what lives there Is it teeming with deep-sea life? Not really. It sits in a current called the South Pacific Gyre, which diverts nutrient-rich water away, making it one of the most lifeless parts of the ocean.
Can you visit Point Nemo?
There are actually no commercial ways to get to Point Nemo as it is by definition the most remote point on earth. But even if you traveled there, you would not find anything. There is no anchored marker or anything like that, just the expanses of open ocean.
However, when you visit Point Nemo you can at least be proud of being in a place that is harder to get to than any other place. In case you really want to visit this place, all you have to do is enter the coordinates (48°52.6′S 123°23.6′W) into your GPS system and set sail. But we wouldn't recommend that.
When was Point Nemo discovered?
Thanks to better geolocation software, Point Nemo wasn't discovered until 1992. Croatian-Canadian engineer Hrvoje Lukatela was able to calculate the coordinates of the farthest sea point using a geospatial computer program he developed himself.
How far is Point Nemo from the mainland?
Point Nemo is 1,670 miles (2,688 kilometers) from the nearest mainland. The fastest boat would take 15 days, 10 hours and 37 minutes to get there. Even the astronauts of the International Space Station fly over this point closer than any other person on earth.
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| Motu Nui in Easter Island is the closest to Point Nemo, although it's still more than 1,000 miles north. |
Top 10 Loneliest Places on Earth
Some of these remote locations boast glorious tropical climates, while others are braving arctic temperatures or unforgiving deserts. The adventure is all yours.
KnowInsider has compiled a list of the 10 Loneliest Places on Earth:
10. Greenland
Despite being a growing tourist destination every year, Greenland is still one of the most sparsely populated areas in the world. It's constantly covered in ice in most parts and is the place to go if you want to get lost. It is the world's most sparsely populated area with only about 60,000 people living in its total area, which exceeds 800,000 square miles.
9. Falkland Islands
This archipelago lies about 300 miles off the South American mainland and has a population of about 3000 people. The only city known as Stanley is the capital of the Falkland Islands and has a majority of the population there. The islands are somewhat disputed, as both Argentina and Great Britain have laid claim to them. Some islands of the archipelago are still considered undiscovered and uninhabited. The Falkland Islands is certainly a place to be if you want to stay away from the crowds and everyone else.
8. The Gobi desert
Only the foolish or the brave dare set foot on this hostile desert in Mongolia. The desert has many different terrains and also experiences a wide range of temperatures, including falling below freezing during the seasons. The temperatures are very extreme in summer and just as cold in winter. It is some of the most extreme terrain on earth and is very lonely in most parts.
7. French Gu
It is said that there are more squirrel monkeys in French Guiana than people. The population density of the island is less than 3 inhabitants per square kilometer. This tropical paradise is home to many endangered plant and animal species. It is the perfect getaway for those who want to lose themselves in its tropical jungle for a longer period of time.
6. The Australian outback
The Australian outback is one of the most sparsely populated areas in the world. The outback is also another name for much of the Australian desert that covers most of this island continent. The outback is known to have more reptiles than humans in its territory. It is also often referred to by travelers as the end of the world. The vast and unforgiving deserts are surprisingly also home to many animal species.
5. The Western Sahara Desert
The northwestern part of Africa is covered by this unforgiving and unforgiving desert terrain. It's one of the roughest places on the planet, and also one of the quietest. It has an area of over 250,000 square miles and a population of only about 500,000 people, most of whom live in the urban areas of Morocco and Algeria. Besides the sandy desert, it also has a long coastline on the Atlantic Ocean, which is often visited by tourists and travelers alike.
4. The Kalahari Desert
This South African desert covers a large part of Botswana, Namibia and some parts of South Africa. The entire region is a vast and unforgiving stretch of desert that receives very little rainfall and temperatures here are the highest in the world. Although this desert was once lush and home to many animals, today the grasslands have disappeared and most of the rivers that used to flow in this region have dried up. The Kalahari can't really be called a desert as it also has many tracts of arable land, but it's still one of the loneliest places on earth.
3. Island:
Iceland is one of the coldest places on earth and also one of the loneliest. Most of the country's population lives in the warmer and more hospitable southwestern region. The entire country is geologically and volcanically active, making it a difficult place to live. Besides the volcanoes, there are also many glacial rivers that flow to the sea in the lower lands.
2. Antarctica
The southernmost continent in the world is definitely one of the loneliest places on earth. It is mostly covered with ice and is considered an ice desert as it is also one of the driest places on earth. The continent also has no major human settlements, although around 2000-5000 people live on the island from time to time. Most of the people who come here are scientists and researchers who want to explore this vast ice continent.
1. Snake Island (Brazil)
Snake Island, or Ilha da Queimada Grande as the locals call it, is one of the most inhospitable islands in the world. The island is off the coast of Brazil. It is mostly uninhabited as the island is full of snakes. It is said that there is a snake for every square meter of land on the island. The two main species of snakes that inhabit the island are the golden lanceolate and the fer-de-lanceolate, which are known to be both venomous and very aggressive. Only scientists are allowed to visit the island as it is off-limits to civilians due to the extremely dangerous nature of the island. In fact, it's among the loneliest places on earth unless you're a snake.
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FAQs
Can you go to Point Nemo? ›
It takes 15 days to reach Point Nemo by boat. Absolutely no one is around. No one will ever be around. Everybody is very far away, and you are completely alone at Point Nemo.
Where is Nemo point on Earth? ›The oceanic pole of inaccessibility, also known as Point Nemo, is located at roughly 48°52.6′S 123°23.6′W and is the place in the ocean that is farthest from land. It represents the solution to the "longest swim" problem.
Where is the loneliest place on Earth? ›As you fly through the air at 39,000 feet over the far southern Pacific, you'll cross over Point Nemo: the most isolated place on Earth. There's nothing to see at Point Nemo—which is entirely the point. Surrounding this pinpoint of GPS coordinates is 9 million square miles of ocean, and nothing else.
Does anybody live in Point Nemo? ›There are no human inhabitants anywhere near Point Nemo. And scientists chose to call the location “Nemo” because it is Latin for “no one” and as a reference to Jules Verne's submarine captain from 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. The location is so isolated that the closest people to Nemo are not even on Earth.
Is there anything at Point Nemo? ›Point Nemo is beyond any state's jurisdiction and is devoid of any human life – although it's not free from the traces of human impact. In addition to the space junk on the seafloor, microplastic particles were discovered in the waters when yachts in the Volvo Ocean Race passed through the region in 2018.
Is there an island at Point Nemo? ›This place is called the spacecraft cemetery, also known as the South Pacific Ocean Uninhabited Area. Roughly at the location of Point Nemo, this place is 2,700 miles from the nearest landmass, Antarctica, and is free of islands and sees very little human activity.
Why is Point Nemo inaccessible? ›Point Nemo actually refers to an area of the South Pacific Ocean around 34 times larger than France, in which marine life is thought to have hardly evolved : its remoteness and weak ocean currents mean there are not enough nutrients in the water for more developed, larger wildlife to survive.
How deep is the Point Nemo? ›Thousands of kilometres from anywhere lies Point Nemo, a watery grave where space stations go to die. At the furthest point from any landmass on earth, and 4km under the sea, lies the space cemetery.
What is Point Nemo famous for? ›Point Nemo is the location in the ocean that is farthest from land. You can't get farther away from land than 'Point Nemo. '
What is the loneliest city in America? ›Richmond is also ranked the number 1 Loneliest city for females, with more than 25% of women living alone. Richmond's neighboring cities also made the list. Washington, DC was ranked 1st for the loneliest city in America and ranked 2nd for the number of women living alone.
Who was the loneliest person ever? ›
Known as the “the loneliest man in history”, Collins was the pilot of the Apollo 11 mission, which in 1969 put humans on the moon for the first time. Although he never became a household name like his crew mates Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, Collins' contribution to the mission was just as important.
Who was the loneliest person in recorded history? ›Topline. Michael Collins, known as the “loneliest man in history” for being the often-forgotten astronaut who stayed aboard Apollo 11 and orbited the moon alone while his teammates took man's first steps on the moon, died Wednesday at age 90, his family said.
Is there space junk at Point Nemo? ›In fact, it's so far from the closest humans that those nearest by are actually onboard the International Space Station (ISS). The spot is called Point Nemo and it's where space agencies like NASA have dumped their discarded space junk since 1971.
Is Point Nemo in the graveyard? ›No one on the planet lives within 2,688 kilometres of Point Nemo, making it the remotest place on Earth.
Is Point Nemo a satellite graveyard? ›This area is fittingly known as the spacecraft cemetery, as the United States, Russia, Japan, and Europe have used it to dump some 263 pieces of space debris since 1971. Point Nemo was chosen by these nations because it is far from human habitat and is within the South Pacific Gyre.
How far is Point Nemo from land? ›Point Nemo is located in the South Pacific Ocean, approximately 2,688 kilometers (1,670 miles) away from the nearest land. Situated at the point of coordinates 48°52.6′S 123°23.6′W, it is the most remote location on Earth, as it is the furthest point from any landmass.
How far is Point Nemo from civilization? ›At more than 1,000 miles from civilization in all directions, Point Nemo is The Most Remote Location On Planet Earth. It is named after the famous submarine sailor from Jules Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.
How far is Point Nemo from land in miles? ›Point Nemo is the most remote place on Earth - the place farthest from land. It is located in the South Pacific Ocean and lies around 2,688 kilometers (1,670 miles) from the nearest land.
Is Point Nemo deeper than the Mariana Trench? ›My human friends may know the Mariana Trench as the deepest point on this planet (almost 11 kilometers under the surface), but Point Nemo is the most remote location on Earth, almost 1700 miles from inhabited land. You see, a lot of plastic floats, and my ocean friends can eat it by mistake or get tangled in it.
What state is loneliness? ›Maine topped the list as the loneliest state, followed by Florida and then Ohio, according to the research from AgingInPlace. Utah, Alaska, and Hawaii rolled in as the least lonely states.
Where In the US Can I move alone? ›
The Highest-Ranked Cities to Live Alone in the U.S.
We're happy to report that this data reflects the livability of some of America's smaller cities that are on the rise in terms of popularity. Our overall winner was Milwaukee, WI, with our runner ups being Cleveland, OH and St. Louis, MO.
Young people feel loneliness the most
However, in contrast, the young report feeling lonely much more – with 40% saying they have felt this way at least some of the time. The BBC Loneliness Experiment surveyed 55,000 people and showed that 16–24-year-olds feel loneliness the most.
Before modern times, very few human beings lived alone. Slowly, beginning not much more than a century ago, that changed. In the United States, more than one in four people now lives alone; in some parts of the country, especially big cities, that percentage is much higher.
What's the loneliest job in the world? ›A recent survey found that the loneliest professions were engineers, lawyers, and scientists. The study also found that single employees without any children were the most likely to experience loneliness. Regularly checking-in with co-workers and showing friendly support can help reduce loneliness at work.
What is the longest time spent alone? ›| Name | Age | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Zachary Fowler | 36 | Winner - 87 days |
| Carleigh Fairchild | 28 | 86 days (medically evacuated) |
| Megan Hanacek | 41 | 78 days |
| Dave Nessia | 49 | 73 days (medically evacuated) |
In this lesson, students learn about Michael Collins, the astronaut who was dubbed “the loneliest man in the universe”.
Who said the loneliest people are the kindest? ›“The loneliest people are the kindest. The saddest people smile the brightest. The most damaged people are the wisest.
How do you deal with no family? ›- Build A Support Network. As people going through difficult times in our lives, we often find ourselves making the mistake of seeking help through others that have no understanding of what we are going through. ...
- Strengthen Your Coping Skills. ...
- Try Writing In A Journal. ...
- Be Open Minded.
This remote oceanic location is located at coordinates 48°52.6′S 123°23.6′W, about 2,688 kilometers from the nearest land—Ducie Island, part of the Pitcairn Islands, to the north; Motu Nui, one of the Easter Islands, to the northeast; and Maher Island, part of Antarctica, to the south.
What is Nemo not allowed to touch? ›What is Nemo not allowed to touch? #8 Unlike other fish, thanks to a protective layer of mucus, clownfish are not affected by their host anemone's deadly sting. Touching the clownfish might remove this protective, leaving it vulnerable to stings so remember, look but please don't touch!
What is at the bottom of Point Nemo? ›
Thousands of kilometres from anywhere lies Point Nemo, a watery grave where space stations go to die. At the furthest point from any landmass on earth, and 4km under the sea, lies the space cemetery.
How far is Hawaii from Point Nemo? ›As for the absolute loneliest and most remote spot on this giant blue marble, you'll have to venture way out into the center of the Pacific Ocean. The exact spot is called Point Nemo, and although there's no land there, it's a staggering 1,670 miles away from the nearest place populated by people.
Is Point Nemo in Antarctica? ›Point Nemo – Antarctica - Atlas Obscura.
Who is Nemo's girlfriend? ›Darla Sherman is a main character in Finding Nemo.
What is Nemo's last name? ›It tells the story of an overprotective clownfish named Marlin (Brooks) who, along with a regal blue tang named Dory (DeGeneres), searches for his missing son Nemo (Gould).
Can Nemo change gender? ›Males of the Clownfish, a species which lives exclusively in anemone, with which they share a symbiotic relationship, can change sex if their mating partner dies.