Some locations around the world are so well-protected that ordinary people find it very difficult to visit them.
Ilha da Queimada Grande, or Snake Island, is a small island measuring 0.45 km² off the coast of Brazil. It is home to over 4,000 dangerous and deadly snakes, including the golden lancehead viper (Bothrops insularis), one of the most venomous snakes in the world, according to Mother Nature Network. The venom of these snakes can kill a person within an hour. The island is so dangerous that the Brazilian Navy prohibits everyone, except for a few scientists conducting research, from stepping foot on it. (Photo: Flickr).
Lascaux Cave in southwestern France houses ancient artworks dating back 17,000 years. The images within the cave depict the large animals that lived during the Paleolithic period. Currently, Lascaux Cave is only open for scientists to conduct research, and it does not allow tourists due to the signs of deterioration of the paintings. (Photo: iStock).
Poveglia Island, Italy, was once a quarantine site for plague victims in Europe during the 14th and 17th centuries. Their bodies were gathered into large piles on the island and burned. Even patients showing mild symptoms were forced to leave their homes and sent to this island. Today, the island is deserted and uninhabited. Tourists and fishermen are prohibited from approaching it. (Photo: Wikimedia).
North Sentinel is a remote island located in the Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean. The inhabitants of the island go to great lengths to avoid contact with the outside world. Consequently, tourists or fishermen who venture into this area are met with fierce attacks. In 2006, the indigenous people killed two men fishing illegally near their territory. Even low-flying government aircraft sent for reconnaissance were met with stones and arrows. Due to the dangerous nature of the situation, the authorities have had to abandon their desire to intervene in the lives of the islanders, allowing them to choose their own way of life. (Photo: Wikimedia).
Area 51 is located 128 km northwest of Las Vegas, USA, and is one of the most mysterious places in the world. Many believe that remnants of a crashed UFO from Roswell in 1947 are still hidden here. The U.S. government is rumored to use this site to conceal alien bodies and spacecraft, according to Reuters. Area 51 does not appear on any official map of the U.S. Its existence was unknown for decades. In 2013, the U.S. government confirmed the existence of Area 51, which is used for testing U-2 spy planes. (Photo: iStock).
The Tomb of Qin Shi Huang is located north of Mount Li, in Shaanxi Province, China, about 50 km east of Xi’an. The tomb complex has been sealed and buried under vegetation for thousands of years. Current technology cannot fully handle the entire underground tomb complex or preserve the unearthed artifacts. Therefore, it is unlikely that the tomb will be opened in the near future.
The tomb of Qin Shi Huang is covered by vegetation that resembles a hill. (Photo: Wikimedia).
Global Seed Vault, also known as the doomsday vault, is located deep beneath the permafrost of Svalbard, situated between Norway and the Arctic. Once seeds are placed inside, the containers cannot be opened or removed by anyone except the agency that sent the seeds. (Photo: Wikimedia).
Surtsey Island, Iceland, is a volcanic island formed in the 1960s. It has been protected as a nature reserve since its inception. Tourists are not allowed to visit Surtsey Island; only researchers may access it. (Photo: Wikimedia).
Pine Gap is located deep in the Outback desert of Australia and is a ground satellite station operated by Australia and the U.S. It is also known as the Joint Defense Space Research Facility or Joint Defense Pine Gap. Only authorized personnel are allowed in this area. (Photo: iStock).
Mezhgorye is a small town located near Mount Yamantau, Russia. This town has about 17,000 residents. Many rumors suggest that Mezhgorye houses a secret nuclear base or underground facility. Strangers cannot enter Mezhgorye without government permission. (Photo: Wikimedia).
Bohemian Grove, USA: Bohemian Grove is a campsite located in Monte Rio, California, believed to be owned by an old gentlemen’s club based in San Francisco. Participants in activities at Bohemian Grove often include prominent business leaders, former U.S. presidents, musicians, and oil tycoons. Their motto is “Weaving Spiders Come Not Here,” meaning business dealings must be left outside. All information about guests and activities occurring during this camping event is kept highly confidential. To this day, activities at Bohemian Grove remain a mystery despite many photographers attempting to gain access.
Ise Grand Shrine, Japan: This is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu-Ōmikami. It has two main shrines and about 125 smaller shrines. This place only welcomes members of the Japanese imperial family.
Vatican Secret Archive: The Vatican Secret Archive is a secret repository of the Vatican and the Catholic Church. It houses documents related to the Catholic Church accumulated over centuries, including materials from the 8th century. Only researchers with a special permit can access this archive.
