Articles > Geography
Here at hugequiz not only are populations important for city knowledge, but also locations. Here’s an article on the 10 cities that lead the list on the World Most Isolated 50K+ Cities quiz, due to their large distance from their closest 50K+ neighbor.
In a world increasingly connected by technology and transportation, some cities still maintain their isolation due to geography. These cities each have populations exceeding 50,000, but are separated from their nearest neighbor by vast distances. Below is a look at some of the world’s most remote cities and how their remoteness shapes their identity.
Anchorage, USA
Anchorage, Alaska, is one of the most remote major cities in the United States. Although it serves as a hub for transportation and commerce in Alaska, the city is far removed from other urban centers. The nearest city with a population over 50,000 is Whitehorse in Canada’s Yukon Territory, located 1,792 kilometers (1,113 miles) away. This geographic isolation, combined with Alaska’s rugged terrain and extreme weather, makes Anchorage feel like a frontier city despite its modern amenities.
Honiara, Solomon Islands
Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, sits on the island of Guadalcanal and is home to around 84,000 people. It is one of the most remote capital cities in the world, separated from its nearest urban center of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, by 1,386 kilometers (861 miles) of ocean. The remoteness of Honiara means it relies heavily on international imports, and the isolation gives it a laid-back atmosphere, even though it’s the main political and economic hub of the Solomon Islands.
Nouméa, New Caledonia
Nouméa, the capital of New Caledonia, a French territory in the South Pacific, is situated on the island of Grande Terre. With a population of about 100,000, Nouméa’s nearest city with a comparable population is Auckland, New Zealand, located 1,332 kilometers (828 miles) away. This isolation gives the city a unique blend of French and Pacific island cultures, and its remoteness adds to its charm as a tropical yet cosmopolitan destination.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital and largest city, is known for being one of the northernmost capitals in the world. Despite being a well-developed and modern city, Reykjavik is isolated by the vast Atlantic Ocean. The closest city with a population of over 50,000 is Tórshavn, Faroe Islands, about 1,293 kilometers (803 miles) away. The city’s location on the edge of the Arctic Circle, combined with its volcanic and glacial landscape, makes Reykjavik feel uniquely remote, even as it is increasingly popular with tourists.
Petropavlovsk, Russia
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, located on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia’s Far East, is one of the most isolated cities in the world. It is separated from its nearest neighbor of similar size, Magadan, by 872 kilometers (542 miles). The city is surrounded by volcanic landscapes and has no road access to the rest of Russia, adding to its sense of remoteness. Despite its isolation, it is a significant military and fishing hub in the region.
Magadan, Russia
Magadan, also located in Russia’s Far East, is a port city that serves as a gateway to the remote northern regions. Like Petropavlovsk, it is extremely isolated, with its nearest urban center of similar size being Petropavlovsk, 872 kilometers (542 miles) away. The city’s cold climate and mountainous surroundings further contribute to its remoteness, but Magadan remains an important industrial and transportation hub for the Russian Far East.
Jayapura, Indonesia
Jayapura, located on the island of New Guinea, is the capital of the Papua province of Indonesia. Its nearest neighboring city with a population of 50,000 or more is Vanimo, Papua New Guinea, located 838 kilometers (521 miles) away. Jayapura’s remote location in the easternmost region of Indonesia and its proximity to the rugged mountains of Papua make it a city that feels worlds away from the rest of Indonesia’s densely populated islands.
St. John’s, Canada
St. John’s, the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, is one of the most easterly cities in North America. With a population of just over 100,000, its closest neighboring city of comparable size is Halifax, Nova Scotia, which lies 805 kilometers (500 miles) across the North Atlantic. St. John’s rugged coastline, harsh winters, and reliance on shipping and air connections underscore its geographic isolation from mainland Canada.
Darwin, Australia
Darwin, located in Australia’s Northern Territory, is the country’s most remote capital city. The closest city of comparable size is Dili, East Timor, which is 719 kilometers (447 miles) away. Darwin’s tropical climate and its proximity to Southeast Asia give it a distinct character, but its isolation from the rest of Australia means that the city has developed at its own pace, separate from the more populous southeastern part of the country.
Yakutsk, Russia
Yakutsk, located in Russia’s Sakha Republic, is one of the coldest cities in the world and one of the most remote. Its nearest city of similar size is Neryungri, which is 662 kilometers (411 miles) away. The harsh Siberian winters, with temperatures regularly dropping below -40°C (-40°F), and its geographic isolation in the vast wilderness of northeastern Russia make Yakutsk feel incredibly remote, even though it has a population of over 300,000 people.
