Extreme location.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in some of the most extreme corners of the planet? From the coldest and most isolated settlements to epicenters, polluted cities and even crime hotspots, some people have lived in the world's harshest environments all their lives.
Gurugram, Delhi, India.
The skyline of Gurugram (located in the National Capital Region of Delhi) is shrouded in a layer of toxic smoke and is not the most desirable place to live in the world.
According to Greenpeace and AirVisual, in 2018, the suburb was ranked the most polluted city in the world. According to Reuters, in 2023, New Delhi, the capital of India, topped the real-time ranking compiled by the Swiss IQAIR group.
Gurugram, Delhi, India.
Gurugram is one of India's well-known tech hubs and is home to several international companies including TripAdvisor and Uber. Growing cities are full of new construction, which is the main dust responsible for high levels of air pollution**.
Seasonal low temperatures and lack of wind, as well as a poor public transport system, which has led to more residents using cars frequently, have not helped to solve the problem.
Gurugram, Delhi, India.
In October 2018, the Haryana State Pollution Control Commission released a five-point agenda to combat air pollution, which included sprinkling water on roads, tackling traffic congestion, and providing outdoor security guards with electric heaters to stop firewood burning during the winter months.
Despite this, levels have risen according to the BBC, with schools closed for about two weeks due to pollution in November 2023.
Gurugram, Delhi, India.
Unsurprisingly, people in the slums and on the streets of the Gurugram are the most vulnerable, as they spend most of their time outdoors and are unable to escape the toxic smoke.
Residents complain of eye irritation and itchy throats, while more serious diseases include neurological, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases, as well as increased mortality.
In neighbouring New Delhi, also ranked as the world's most polluted capital, it had temporarily banned construction activities and burning garbage, and raised parking fees to discourage people from driving into the city.
Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway.
Nestled north of the Arctic Circle, this remote outpost experiences the natural phenomenon of the midnight sun and the 24-hour polar night in winter during the summer months.
It has a population of just over 2,500 people. However, it is the considerable number of polar bears and their reindeer that attract tourists from all over the world.
Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway.
Living in Longyearbyen City can be challenging due to the cold weather and curious local wildlife. Locals are taught to be on high alert, to retreat calmly, and to carry high-powered shotguns to avoid confrontation with roaming polar bears.
Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway.
The climate in Longyearbyen and the surrounding islands is harsh, with average daily temperatures of just 4°C from June to September and as low as -16°C from November to April.
However, this has not discouraged tourists, who have shifted the region's economy away from coal mining, which stopped in 2016, towards tourism. Many locals now rent out their houses or cabins on Airbnb, like this one, or go on polar bear tours and adventure cruises in the summer.
Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway.
However, the permanent residence of Longyearbyen City is not for the faint of heart. The danger of avalanches is always present in the summer, and the limited road network means locals have to get around on snowmobiles.
Then there are the small details of death. In 1950, death was outlawed in the city of Longyearbyen, as extreme temperatures made burial impossible. If a resident becomes terminally ill, they must fly to the mainland to spend their last days, and in the event of an accidental death, they must be transported to the outlying island for burial.