The World and Its Superlatives

The World and Its Superlatives


The Most Remote Islands

October 01, 2025

This episode explores some of the world’s most isolated islands—places shaped by distance, resilience, and unique natural and cultural heritage. From Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic and Rapa Nui in the Pacific to Svalbard in the Arctic and Socotra in the Indian Ocean, these islands host rare ecosystems, ancient traditions, and small, enduring communities. We also visit places like Pitcairn Island, the Kerguelen archipelago, and South Georgia, where wildlife thrives in isolation. The episode highlights how remoteness protects biodiversity, preserves culture, and creates challenges in sustainability, access, and climate resilience. These islands stand as living reminders of how separation from the rest of the world can produce both vulnerability and extraordinary distinctiveness.