8. The natives of one of the Canary Islands speak in a whistled language. The language was very useful in the early days due to its range of up to five kilometers.
The whistled language, also known as “Siblo Gomero,” is used by the inhabitants of La Gomera to communicate over long distances. Due to the loud nature of the whistle, it was easier to communicate messages despite the treacherous terrain of the island. It is believed that the language existed even before the arrival of Spanish settlers in the 16th century. Despite being so unique, the use of the language has declined with the introduction of telephones and new technology. In the year 2009, it was declared as The Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. (source)
9. This Brazilian island. known as “Snake Island,” has the highest concentration of venomous snakes in the world. Travel to this island requires the approval of the Brazilian Navy, and a doctor is required to be present during the entire trip.
Ilha da Queimada Grande is situated about 25 miles off the coast of Brazil. It is considered as one of the most venomous places on earth. The island harbors a number of snake species but is dominated by the golden lancehead viper. There is one snake per every square meter on this 430,000 square meter island. Golden lancehead vipers are insanely venomous, and a bite can lead to immediate death. Visits to the island are prohibited by the government, but in case one wants to visit this venomous strip of land, they are required to get approval from the Brazilian Navy.
There are several stories as to how the island became home to thousands of venomous lanceheads. One of the most popular one being that the island was infested with snakes by the pirates to keep their hidden treasure safe. As fascinating as it sounds, it was just a story. In reality, the island used to be a part of the mainland but was separated from it due to rising sea levels over time. (1, 2)
10. The Falklands Islands’ minefields have turned into a nature reserve for penguins that are not heavy enough to detonate them.
During the invasion of Falklands in 1982, the Argentine forces placed about 30,000 landmines to stop the British. Following the Falkland War, the British were successfully able to retain the land. De-mining efforts were made subsequently, but due to injuries and deaths, the operation was halted. As travel to the minefields was now prohibited, nature took over and it became a natural reserve for Gentoo and Magellanic penguins. Despite the number of penguins on the island, they don’t seem to be heavy enough to detonate these landmines. (1, 2)