People have always been fascinated by the deserted islands, numerous writers, including Daniel Defoe, Robert Luis Stevenson, Jules Verne, and Edgar Alan Poe, dedicating them to famous novels.

Although all the islands of the Globe have been conquered by humans, there are still unpainted earth patches in various corners of the world, bathed in ocean waters. Many of these recall the descriptions of Daniel Defoe in his famous novel Robinson Crusoe, dominated by wild nature, of landscapes that have nothing in common with exotic paradises that we can imagine. The mnn.com site has compiled a list of some of these places that seem forgotten by the world.

Henderson Island – The Pacific Ocean patch was included in UNESCO’s Patrimony, being one of the few atolls in the world not affected by the presence of humans. This site provides habitat for 10 endemic plant species and four other birds. Although uninhabited, the small Pacific island of Henderson in the Pacific Ocean is considered to be the most polluted place in the world, having the misfortune of being in the path of a stream that buries its shores in tons of garbage.

Ang Thong Islands – The group of islands in southern Thailand, not far from the lush Koh Samui, offers tourists a different kind of tropical experience. Most of these limestone islands, covered with tropical rainforests and bathed in turquoise waters, are uninhabited, but they are highly sought after by tourists interested in an adventure, but also by a low-budget trip. The archipelago is part of a national park, which is why access is controlled and provided only by some operators who provide kayaking in these unique places.

Jaco Island-  This uninhabited island of East Timor has an unusual story. Considered sacred earth, it was bypassed by the people of the place, and thus remained unpopulated. Its fine sandy beaches and turquoise waters attracted him, however, as a magnet to tourists, who find here a paradise corner left untouched by people. Atoll Aldabra Although less well known, Aldabra in the Indian Ocean is the second largest coral atoll in the world, with about 100,000 giant turtles living here. This is why the area is called “the virgin island of huge turtles”. Over the years, environmentalists have made tremendous efforts to conserve the island and resist plans to build a military base or permanent settlements. The number of tourists who come to disturb the peace of Aldabra because of the geographic position of the island and the high cost of travel, as there is no direct air or water link. Additionally, visitor access is subject to strict rules.

Tetepare Island – The largest uninhabited island in the South Pacific, Tetepare has not always been deserted. The island’s original inhabitants lived in scattered villages and spoke a different language, but for unknown reasons, they left the island in the middle of the nineteenth century. Subsequent attempts to turn the area into an agricultural colony have failed, and tropical forests have expanded to cover much of the surface. The descendants of the former inhabitants have set up an association that oversees conservation activities on the island and cares for these places to keep their wilderness. Tetepare is the ideal destination for scuba diving and snorkeling enthusiasts.

Devon Island – Not all the deserted islands are located in the tropics. It is the case of Devon Island, the largest uninhabited island in the world, located in the articulated area. With a frozen soil almost all year long, with an average annual temperature of -16 degrees, the area is poor in plants or animals. Arid land, frost-free temperatures and isolation provide a good way to test people’s ability to adapt to a life outside the Earth. That’s why the island is used by astronauts to test their equipment and train for future missions on Mars.