The world’s least inhabited places, or where to enjoy socially distant sightseeting on a post-pandemic holiday
- After coronavirus, nervous travellers are likely to avoid cities in favour of less crowded destinations
- From Greenland to Tasmania, the world’s emptiest places take self isolation to extremes
Habits formed during these days of social distancing will stay with us when we do start travelling again, which means wide open spaces are more likely to tempt us than busy cities. Here are some of the world’s least densely populated countries and territories (Hong Kong has 7,140 people per square kilometre, for comparison), accompanied by sightseeing suggestions and a few snippets of trivia to impress friends with.
Russia, 8.9 people per sq km
The world’s largest country shares a border with 14 others and is reputedly home to about 20 per cent of all the trees on Earth, although who counted them is anyone’s guess. Vast Siberia makes up roughly 9 per cent of the planet’s land surface and includes the coldest permanently settled place (Oymyakon). Temperatures in the gold-mining town are so low in winter that drivers leave their car engines running all day to keep them from freezing.
Australia, 3.3 people per sq km
With at least 85 per cent of Australians living within 50km of the coast, the easiest way to find space is to head inland. Be prepared for heat though; the highest recorded temperature, set in Queensland more than a century ago, was 53.1 degrees Celsius. On the other hand, it’s said that more snow falls in the Australian Alps than in Switzerland. And if it’s clean air you’re after, the Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station, in Tasmania, boasts the world’s purest.
Greenland, 0.14 people per sq km
ADanish dependent territory, Greenland is a year-round tourist destination. Winter visitors arrive hoping to glimpse the northern lights and extreme golfers fly in to compete in the World Ice Golf Championships, which take place on the island of Uummannaq in March (players use orange balls, if you were wondering).
Summer sightseers enjoy never-ending days – the sun does not set from May 25 to July 25 – but should bear in mind that July and August are the only months when the temperature averages above freezing.
Canada, 4.1 people per sq km
Despite being the world’s second largest country, Canada has a smaller population than Greater Tokyo. On the shores of Hudson Bay, residents of Churchill, Manitoba, leave their cars and even their houses unlocked so anyone encountering a peckish polar bear has a bolt hole.
