10 of the Strangest Places on Earth Where People Actually Live

Think your hometown is a little weird? Wait until you hear about these truly bizarre places around the world. From a town filled with twins in Brazil to an underground city in Australia — these are real places with real people, and each one has a story you won’t believe.

Cândido Godói, Brazil: The Town of Twins

Welcome to the so-called “Town of Twins,” where the rate of twin births is nearly 1,000% higher than the global average. About 10% of the population here are twins. Local folklore suggests a chilling theory: that Nazi doctor Josef Mengele may have experimented with hormone treatments in the area during the 1960s, possibly contributing to the town’s twin boom. Whether true or not, scientists still study this phenomenon today.

Gibsonton, Florida, USA: The Circus Retirement Town

Nicknamed “Gibtown,” this Florida town was once a haven for retired circus performers. Elephants and monkeys weren’t unusual sights in backyards, and local zoning laws were adapted to accommodate sideshow equipment. Even now, it holds onto its quirky legacy with museums dedicated to carnival and circus culture.

Centralia, Pennsylvania, USA: A Town on Fire

Beneath this nearly abandoned Pennsylvania town, a coal mine fire has been burning since 1962 — and is expected to continue for the next 250 years. Toxic gases leak from the cracked earth, and the ground is unstable. Most residents have long since left, but a handful still cling to what’s left of their hometown, despite evacuation orders and a ghost-town atmosphere.

Noiva do Cordeiro, Brazil: A Town Run by Women

Founded in 1891 by a woman expelled from her home, Noiva do Cordeiro is home to about 600 women — and almost no men. Males over 18 are expected to live outside the village, only visiting occasionally. The women run the town entirely on their own, challenging traditional gender roles and creating a unique social experiment in the heart of Brazil.

Monowi, Nebraska, USA: Population 1

Once a small farming community, Monowi now has just one resident — Elsie Eiler. After her husband passed away in 2004, Elsie became the town’s mayor, librarian, bartender, and sole taxpayer. She even issues herself a liquor license every year to keep her tavern open. Despite being the only one left, she welcomes visitors from surrounding areas and never feels lonely.

Manshiyat Naser, Egypt: The Garbage City

On the outskirts of Cairo lies a community that lives among mountains of trash — literally. Nicknamed “Garbage City,” the economy here revolves around collecting and recycling Cairo’s waste. There’s little in the way of infrastructure: no running water, sewage systems, or consistent electricity. Yet families continue to live and work here in harsh but deeply rooted conditions.

Miyake-jima Island, Japan: Life Next to a Volcano

This volcanic island in Japan comes with a unique hazard: constant exposure to toxic sulfur gas. The government actually pays people to live here, but residents must keep gas masks handy at all times. Sirens warn when gas levels rise too high, and life continues under the shadow of potential eruption.

Coober Pedy, Australia: The Underground City

In the sweltering heart of the Australian outback, you’ll find a town where nearly everything — homes, churches, shops — is built underground. Originally an opal mining site, Coober Pedy offers natural insulation from extreme heat, making it an unexpectedly cozy place to live. It’s also a favorite filming location for post-apocalyptic movies.

Kunming Dwarf Village, China: A Fairy-Tale Settlement

In this village near Kunming, residents must be under 129 cm (about 4’3″) to live there. Created in 2009 by a group of little people seeking refuge from discrimination, the community now also serves as a fantasy-themed tourist attraction. Residents wear fairy-tale costumes, perform for visitors, and live in mushroom-shaped houses, blending entertainment with activism.

The Villages, Florida, USA: A Retirement Town with Odd Rules

This massive retirement community isn’t technically a city, but it functions like one — with some peculiar restrictions. No one under the age of 19 is allowed to live there, and at least one person in each home must be over 55. Despite the rigid rules, it’s one of the fastest-growing communities in the U.S., complete with its own restaurants, golf courses, and… an unusually high rate of golf cart traffic.

Final Thoughts

These places might sound like settings from a surreal novel, but they’re all very real — and inhabited by people who’ve built lives in the most unconventional ways. Whether born from necessity, belief, or bold experimentation, each of these communities reminds us how endlessly diverse human life can be.

Which one would you dare to visit?