Secret Paradises:

The world still hosts many undiscovered islands that push the limits of human exploration. These islands, with their wild nature and unusual geography, are waiting to be explored. Known as hidden paradises, these islands are drawing attention worldwide with their natural beauty, endemic plant species, and interesting animals.

Among the undiscovered islands, Challenger Deep Island in the Mariana Trench, the world’s largest ocean, stands out. The discovery of this island will be one of humanity’s greatest discoveries and could open many doors for new discoveries in marine biology, geology, and other sciences. On the other hand, Madagascar Island on the east coast of the African continent is the 6th largest island in the world and is rich in endemic plant and animal species. However, rumors of the existence of undiscovered, unusual species still persist even in Madagascar.

Mysterious Islands: Undiscovered Islands Surrounded by Legends

Survival Adventure: Islands where Humans will Set Foot for the First Time

The Majesty of Wild Nature: Islands Full of Endemic Animal and Plant Species

Hidden Historical Treasure: Islands Full of Lost Cities and Archaeological Remains

The Cultural Richness of Islands: Islands Full of Local Traditions and Flavors

Mysterious Islands: Undiscovered Islands Surrounded by Legends

1. Atlantis Island – Atlantis is a legendary lost island kingdom in Ancient Greece. According to Plato, this island was the center of a great civilization and was submerged under the sea as a result of a catastrophe.
2. Mu Continent – Mu is known as a legendary continent in the South Pacific. This continent, first discovered in the 19th century, is believed by some theories to have been home to one of the oldest civilizations in history.
3. Hy-Brasil Island – Hy-Brasil is a mystical island located off the coast of Ireland. According to legend, this island has a magical atmosphere and a mysterious past.
4. Yonaguni Island – Yonaguni Island, located in Japan’s Okinawa region, is known as a submerged city ruin. While some archaeologists argue that these structures were made by humans, others believe they are a natural formation.
5. Socotra Island – Socotra Island off the coast of Yemen is one of the world’s most bizarrely vegetated islands. Some plant species found on this island are not found anywhere else in the world.
6. Easter Island – Easter Island, located west of Chile, is famous for its large moai statues. How these statues were made and why the Rapa Nui people who lived on the island disappeared remains a mystery.
7. Bimini Islands – The Bimini Islands, located in the Bahamas, are believed to be a place where the lost continent of Atlantis once existed. The presence of some archaeological findings on the island also supports this theory.
8. Bouvet Island – Bouvet Island in the South Atlantic is one of the most remote and lonely islands in the world. Due to nuclear testing that once took place on the island, many undiscovered areas still exist.
9. Sable Island – Sable Island, located off the east coast of Canada, is known as a place where mysterious events have occurred. Many mysterious incidents, such as missing ships and planes, have been reported here.

Survival Adventure: Islands where Humans will Set Foot for the First Time

1. Rapa Nui (Easter Island) – Easter Island is located west of Chile in the South Pacific. There is no exact information about the first settlement date on the island, but it is estimated to have been discovered by Polynesians between 300-400 AD. The large moai statues found on the island were made by the Rapa Nui people, the island’s first settlers.
2. Gibraltar – Gibraltar is a small peninsula and its attached island located between Spain and Morocco. It was first discovered by the Phoenicians around 1000 BC and later conquered by the Roman Empire. It was later captured during the Muslim conquests of the Iberian Peninsula.
3. Iceland – Iceland is an island located in the North Atlantic. It was first discovered by Viking colonies between 870-930 AD. Iceland became an important center of Scandinavian culture and the influences of this culture are still felt today.
4. Pitcairn Island – Pitcairn Island is a small island located in the South Pacific. It was first discovered by British naval officer Fletcher Christian and the crew of the Bounty in 1790. The crew took refuge on the island to escape their mutinous captain and became the island’s first settlers.
5. Galapagos Islands – The Galapagos Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean west of Ecuador. The islands were first discovered by Spanish sailors in 1535. The famous influence of the theory of evolution on the Galapagos Islands is based on Charles Darwin’s studies of the changing characteristics of species observed during his 1835 journey to the islands.
6. Vanuatu – Vanuatu is an island country located in the South Pacific between Australia and Fiji. It was first discovered by Polynesians between 2000-3000 BC.

The Majesty of Wild Nature: Islands Full of Endemic Animal and Plant Species

1. Galapagos Islands – The Galapagos Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean, west of Ecuador. The islands became famous thanks to Darwin’s studies on the theory of evolution. 80% of the animal and plant species living on the islands are endemic and cannot be found anywhere else. For example, the Galapagos marine iguana, Galapagos giant tortoise, and Galapagos penguin only exist in the Galapagos Islands.
2. Madagascar – Madagascar is an island country located on the east coast of Africa. It is one of the largest islands in the world in terms of endemic species diversity. There are around 14,000 plant species and over 100,000 animal species on the island. For example, species such as the fossa, lemur, and boojum tree are only found in Madagascar.
3. Seychelles – The Seychelles is an island country located in the Indian Ocean. Approximately 250 plant species and 75 bird species on the Seychelles are endemic. For example, species such as the Seychelles giant tortoise and Seychelles sheath-tailed bat only exist in the Seychelles.
4. New Zealand – New Zealand is an island country located in the South Pacific. It has one of the largest endemic species diversities in the world with around 2,000 plant species and 200 bird species. For example, species such as the kiwi bird, Hector’s dolphin, and New Zealand giant snail are only found in New Zealand.
5. Komodo Island – Komodo Island is located in the small Sunda Islands of Indonesia. The only species that lives on the island is the Komodo dragon. Additionally, there are many endemic plant species on the island.
6. Socotra – Socotra is an island located in the Arabian Sea, south of Yemen. Approximately 700 plant species and 140 bird species on the island are endemic. For example, species such as the Socotra dragon tree and Socotra grosbeak only exist on Socotra.

Hidden Historical Treasure: Islands Full of Lost Cities and Archaeological Remains

1. Pompeii, Italy – Pompeii is located near Naples in southern Italy. It is an ancient Roman city that was buried under lava and ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Pompeii is home to many ruins from the ancient Roman period and is therefore often visited by tourists.
2. Machu Picchu, Peru – Machu Picchu is an ancient Inca city located in the Cusco region of Peru. It was built around the 15th century and was discovered by an American archaeologist in 1911. Machu Picchu is home to many ruins from the Inca period and is therefore often visited by tourists.
3. Easter Island, Chile – Easter Island is an island in the Pacific Ocean belonging to Chile. Many ruins belonging to the Rapa Nui civilization can be found on the island, including the massive statues known as Moai. Easter Island is famous for its mystery and is often visited by tourists.
4. Chichen Itza, Mexico – Chichen Itza is an ancient Mayan city located on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. It was built in the 6th century BC and abandoned in the 9th century AD. Chichen Itza is home to many ruins from the ancient Mayan period and is therefore often visited by tourists.
5. Angkor Wat, Cambodia – Angkor Wat is an ancient Khmer temple located in Cambodia. It was built around the 12th century and abandoned in 1431. Angkor Wat is home to many ruins from the ancient Khmer period and is therefore often visited by tourists.
6. Göbekli Tepe, Turkey – Göbekli Tepe is an archaeological site located in the province of Şanlıurfa in Turkey. It was built approximately 11,000 years ago and is the oldest known temple complex in the world. Göbekli Tepe is home to many ruins from the Neolithic period and is therefore considered an important archaeological site worldwide. It is also a popular tourist destination in Turkey and is frequently visited by visitors.

The Cultural Richness of Islands: Islands Full of Local Traditions and Flavors

1. Santorini, Greece – Santorini is an island located in the Aegean Sea in the south of Greece. The island is famous for its unique architecture and local cuisine. Among the most popular local dishes are fava, tomato balls, tomato risotto, and baklava. Additionally, fairs and other cultural events held on the island provide an excellent opportunity to discover the traditional way of life of the local people.
2. Bali, Indonesia – Bali is a small island in Indonesia known for its rich cultural heritage. There are many tourist attractions on the island, particularly temples, spice gardens, and traditional arts. Bali cuisine, which is generally spicy and rice-based, is also noteworthy. Festivals, dance and music performances held on the island also provide an excellent opportunity to explore the local culture.
3. Jeju, South Korea – Jeju is the largest island in South Korea and is famous for its natural beauty as well as the traditional way of life of the local people. The island is home to some of the world’s largest lava caves and is therefore often visited by nature enthusiasts. Jeju cuisine is particularly famous for its seafood and shrimp dishes. Traditional handicrafts can also be found on the island, providing an excellent opportunity to discover the local way of life.
4. Zanzibar, Tanzania – Zanzibar is an island located on the coast of Tanzania and is a gem of the Indian Ocean in Africa. There are many tourist attractions on the island to explore the local traditional way of life, including Stone Town, Darajani Market, and Jozani Forest. Zanzibar cuisine carries the influence of Indian and Arabic cultures and is famous for its spicy dishes. Fruits grown on the island and seafood also offer a delicious dining experience.
5. Hawaii, USA – Hawaii is an archipelago that belongs to the United States and hosts the Polynesian culture. The traditional way of life of the local people stands out on the island, along with crafts such as hula dancing, ukulele music, and lau hala. Hawaiian cuisine is famous for its local dishes such as Spam musubis, poke bowl, kalua pig, and haupia. Natural beauties can also be found on the island, especially volcanic areas, beaches, and underwater life, which attract tourists’ attention. Local events called Luau provide a great opportunity to explore traditional dances, food, and culture.