In a world where it seems that every corner of the planet has been explored and mapped, there are still some pristine areas with no human footprint, places where nature reigns supreme.
Areas untouched by human presence are now very rare. A 2021 study estimated that only 17% of the Earth’s land area is untouched. No trace of human habitation Over the past 12,000 years. These areas were mainly desert or PolarityIn the heart of the Amazon rainforest, one of the richest areas of biodiversity on the planet, vast areas remain untouched by human presence.
polar regions
Polar regions, especially Antarctica, also offer virgin lands From any human presence, the vast expanses of ice and snow on this isolated continent hold hitherto unknown secrets, preserved by the harsh weather and extreme climatic conditions. inhospitable terrain.
extreme deserts
Deserts like Empty Quarter In the Arabian Peninsula or Taklamakan Desert In China it is home to inaccessible areas where Human existence Rare due to the arid and inhospitable conditions. The Empty Quarter, which extends over an area of more than 650,000 square kilometers, is considered One of the driest deserts And the harshest on the planet. Extreme temperatures that can range from 50 degrees Celsius during the day to -10 degrees Celsius at night, and the severe lack of water make it an area hostile environment For all forms of life.
isolated areas in high mountains
Some of the highest mountainous areas in the world, such as the Himalayas or AndesIt remains unexplored due to its extreme altitude and unpredictable weather conditions.
The idea of nature
But scientists prefer to refer to it. The idea of nature, The wild In English, which instead refers to the land and sea spaces that have been saved. Human activities On an industrial scale and due to pressures on biodiversity (which does not exclude areas inhabited by indigenous people who respect the resources). An international study measured more than 70% of this Nature is still preserved of the planet (excluding Antarctica) is found in 5 countries: Russia, Canada, Australia, the United States and Brazil, which have enormous responsibilities in the field of environmental conservation. France is ranked 6th thanks to Marine conservation areas.
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And yes, the Earth had a very slim chance of being habitable!
