the most remote place on earth

The Kerguelen Islands are often called the most remote location on the planet. Also called the Desolation Islands these islands owned by France are located in a sub Arctic cold region with constant winds and rough seas. The main big island -Grand Terre - has sometimes been called the 8th continent due to its uniqueness. There is no air transport. Traffic comes here by ship only. The area is practically equidistant from most land areas. Almost due south by 5,000 miles from Colombo, Sri Lanka, 1-2,000 miles southwest of Perth Australia, 1200 + miles southeast of Tanararive Madagascar and 1,000 miles north of the Antarctic coast line.

This location is in the heart of the South Indian Ocean, itself remote. The area is truly on the other side of the world from the United States and Canada (not China) The Indian Ocean itself is in the most remote location sea lane wise. It is outside the main global chain of > Asian mainland to North America to Europe

When I read about the missing Malaysian airliner, MH370, I grimaced over the grueling, ultimately inconclusive search that was undertaken. Remnants of debris were found from Perth to Madagascar.

The Kerguelen cabbage Only native flora on the islands along with a few grasses

Only the dominant cabbage and some grasses are native. There is no native fauna. There is however, much introduced fauna. Rats escaping from visiting ships slipped into the hinterland and quickly multiplied. Eradication programs have had some success. Most flora are native to Madagascar Mauritius and other islands close to Africa and have been brought in.

There are no more than 40 buildings scattered on the islands. These are occupied by French climate research technicians There is inclement weather over 300 days per year. Rain, sleet, snow, all varieties virtually guaranteeing an indoor existence for the few technician settlers.

In studying these islands it becomes apparent how isolation can form and shape a society. The continent of Australia which I recently wrote about is affected by isolated factors which resulted in many aberrant species like marsupials dwelling there. Here further west and more isolated there are few if any native species at all!

We see the same movements here in Wealthy Affiliate. Many people live to post as I do. All are not at peace with this existence. This has resulted in a Facebook, Linked In and other social media exodus. I have to come to concrete terms on adaptation or migration. It's going to be an interesting year!