What Is the Most Dangerous Place in the World? 11 Risky Contenders

This remote island in the Bay of Bengal is home to the Sentinelese, an Indigenous tribe that resists all contact with outsiders.

Visiting is both illegal and dangerous. North Sentinel Island has no tourist areas or public security, and previous intrusions have ended in violence.

For the tribe, it’s self-preservation. For outsiders, it’s a deadly venture.

Despite its rich history and coastal beauty, Port Moresby is one of the most dangerous cities in the world due to gang violence and high crime rates. Located in the South Pacific, it faces issues like organized crime and limited access to security solutions, particularly in urban areas.

In California's Mojave Desert, Death Valley is one of the hottest places on Earth. With temperatures reaching over 134 degrees F (56 degrees C), it's a dangerous place for unprepared visitors. The extreme heat and harsh climate make this national park both stunning and treacherous.

Located in the Horn of Africa, the Danakil Desert is known for its extreme temperatures, volcanic activity and toxic gases. It's also in a region marked by political instability, which adds another layer of risk for travelers.

Still, its alien landscape continues to attract the bold.

Once dubbed the murder capital of the world, this city in Central America struggles with high murder rates, organized crime, and drug trafficking. Though security has improved in recent years, violent crime and gang activity remain major issues.

A focal point in the Syrian civil war, Aleppo has faced years of military conflict, bombings and humanitarian crises. Ongoing conflict and the presence of multiple armed groups make this one of the most dangerous places in the Middle East.

Also known as Ilha da Queimada Grande, this small island off Brazil's coast is infested with golden lancehead vipers, one of the deadliest snakes in the world.

Snake Island is so dangerous that the Brazilian navy prohibits access without special permission. No security solutions can protect you from its natural hazards.

Civil unrest and armed clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces have turned the capital city into a war zone. Humanitarian assistance is desperately needed, and political instability continues to destabilize the region.

With a pH as high as 10.5 and temperatures reaching 140 degrees F (60 C degrees), the lake’s caustic water deposits sodium carbonate on any animals that die in it, preserving their bodies in a calcified state.

Though it’s hauntingly beautiful, Lake Natron is another example of how natural disasters and extreme heat create dangerous areas.

This mineral-rich region faces ongoing violence, displacement and civil unrest. Armed groups operate in the area, and public security is often limited.

The DRC regularly ranks on the Global Peace Index as one of the most dangerous countries due to armed conflict and crime.

Stretching along the northwestern coast of Namibia, the Skeleton Coast is lined with shipwrecks and battered by heavy surf and desert winds.

It’s stunning but desolate, with few places for refuge. The harsh climate and isolation make it one of the most dangerous places to get stranded.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.