There are many places around the world that promote tourism for the many benefits that come with visitors’ expenditure, including:
- Economic benefits,
- Social benefits,
- Environmental benefits.
Here are 16 forbidden places you’re not allowed to visit.
16. “Snake Island.”
Located off the coast of Brazil, Ilha de Queimada Grande, is swarming with some of the world’s deadliest serpents. It’s estimated that there’s one snake to every square meter of the island. The island is closed off from the public and only Brazilian Navy and selected researchers can be granted access.
15. Device Assembly Facility.
This heavily guarded site located in Nevada was initially used for nuclear testing, but is now used to “determine the viability of the United States’ aging nuclear arsenal.” The DAF is one of the safest, most secure locations anywhere in the United States.
14. Cheyenne Mountain.
Colorado’s Cheyenne Mountain is also home to what was initially the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). The complex, built within the mountain, is believed to be able to withstand a nuclear blast. The entrance is continually defended by guard
13. Vatican Secret Archives.
Containing numerous documents the Vatican church has accumulated over centuries, this central repository in the Vatican City is highly restricted. Only qualified scholars can apply for an entry car and even then are met with many limitations.
12. Coca-Cola Vault.
Located on the grounds of the “World of Coca-Cola” in Atlanta, this vault contains the top-secret recipe for Coca-Cola syrup. According to the company, only a few select employees know the actual formula, which means no one is getting into that vault easily.
11. The Queen’s Bedroom.
There are already significant security measures taken to guard the Buckingham Palace, however, the Queen’s bedroom is even more off limits. The bedroom is heavily guarded, especially since an incident in 1982 where a man managed to break in. This was considered one of the 20th century’s worst royal security breaches.
10. Fort Knox.
Housing a large portion of the United States’ official gold reserves, this United States Army post in Kentucky has some intense security to make sure there are no intruders. Few are ever allowed inside and the vaults within are reinforced and protected with blast-proof security.
9. North Sentinel Island.
This Island in the Bay of Bengal has been deemed an exclusion zone by the Indian government. The indigenous people who occupy the island, the Sentinelese, have a population of 50 to 400 individuals. The Sentinelese are not welcoming of visitors and have been known to shoot arrows and stones at intruders.
8. The Granite Mountain Records Vault.
This vault, owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), is located within the north side of Little Cottonwood Canyon. The vault contains records that include genealogical and family history. While many records have been made public online, access to the vault is strictly prohibited.
7. KFC Original Recipe.
A copy of the KFC recipe, signed by Colonel Sanders himself, is kept in a safe within a vault inside KFC’s Louisville headquarters. The “11 herbs and spices” of Sanders’ original recipe has become one of the most famous trade secrets in the world of fast food.
6. Room 39.
A secretive headquarter in charge of North Korea’s underground activities supposedly exists at an undisclosed location in Pyongyang. Considering the high security standards of North Korea, gaining access to Room 39 is likely next to impossible.
5. Chernobyl.
Without permission from the Ukrainian government, the Chernobyl exclusion zone is off limits to visitors. The exclusion zone of the abandoned city is one of the most radioactively contaminated areas in the world.
4. Ozyorsk, Russia.
This closed town in Chelyabinsk Oblast became restricted to newcomers due to its close proximity to the Mayak plant. Considering the area is polluted places on Earth, Ozyorsk doesn’t allow outsiders.
3. Svalbard Global Seed Vault.
Located 800 miles south of the North Pole, this vault stores 4.5 million varieties of crops, built to withstand time and potential disasters in case of emergency. Considering how much effort goes into this preservation, only approved scientists have the opportunity to be admitted.
2. Korean Demilitarized Zone.
A 4 km demilitarized zone was created between North and South Korea after the events of the Korean War. This 2.4 mile wide zone is said to be the most heavily guarded area in the world.
1. Area 51.
The United States Air Force facility located in Nevada has prompted many conspiracy theories due to the fact that the base’s purpose has remained under secrecy. This area is heavily patrolled and a number of security techniques are used to make sure whatever’s in there remains unknown.
