Kerguelen: Living on One of the World’s Most Isolated Islands

Поделиться
HTML-код
  • Опубликовано: 26 сен 2024
  • Sign up for a CuriosityStream subscription and also get a free Nebula subscription (the streaming platform built by creators) here: CuriosityStream...
    Watch Extremities on Nebula: nebula.app/ext...
    Our other channels:
    Wendover Productions - / wendoverproductions or nebula.app/wen...
    Half as Interesting - / halfasinteresting or nebula.app/hai
    Follow us on twitter: / wendoverpro
    Writing by Christine Benedetti
    Editing by Alexander Williard
    Audio by Graham Haerther
    Motion graphics by Josh Sherrington and Maddy
    Thumbnail design by Simon Buckmaster
    Project management by Gina Giorgi
    Select footage courtesy the AP Archive and Getty Images

Комментарии • 854

  • @Tiro_Chopper
    @Tiro_Chopper 3 года назад +724

    There has been a mistake in the french to english translation at 11:30. He isn't saying winds have been superior or equal to 39 (to which the translator added kph), but 30 knots, so around 55kph.
    It's a pretty large difference.
    Edit: it's obvious to me now how mean my comment might sound, I made it so in order to gain traction and attention from the people behind this video, but know that you have all my respect and thankfulness for bringing us this kind of amazing content.

    • @louisjx8009
      @louisjx8009 3 года назад +40

      "30 noeuds" et non "39" :D

    • @Cyril8204
      @Cyril8204 3 года назад +4

      I was about to make that comment

    • @memofromessex
      @memofromessex 3 года назад +12

      He also calls the UK/Britain as England and British as English

    • @Tiro_Chopper
      @Tiro_Chopper 3 года назад +32

      @@memofromessex Please forgive the french. We are a sophisticated people, but how kinda split but also very unified but still actually split the UK is isn't common knowledge in France

    • @samuelb.9515
      @samuelb.9515 3 года назад +16

      Another error: typo at 10:32. It’s “two” not “tow.” These errors should have been corrected before making the video public.

  • @guidodelpapa3875
    @guidodelpapa3875 3 года назад +38

    I live in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, and now I feel like I live in a megalopolis (with a whooping 2100 inhabitants) compared to Kerguelen

  • @give_me_my_nick_back
    @give_me_my_nick_back 3 года назад +794

    Honestly them finding a bottle with a letter is some crazy miracle. One bottle that could have been long hidden by grass, blown by wind or whatever, on a pretty sizable island.

    • @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721
      @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 3 года назад +48

      If it weren't for Cook finding that one message, there probably would have been a very large conflict over some a very small land.

    • @serg9320
      @serg9320 3 года назад +39

      ​@@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 I doubt there would be a large conflict, maybe some minor skirmishes similar to those of the British East India Company's over St Helena.

    • @blafoon93
      @blafoon93 3 года назад +66

      Probably there was a natural harbour on the coast and the French expedition put some kind of mark at the site where they left the bottle.
      That's already quite a lot of circumstance considering how many islands there are in the archipelago and the sheer size of it all. It looks small on the world map but even if there was a 20 foot pole flying a French flag it would be unlikely to be noticed, let alone a single, lonesome bottle.

    • @VineFynn
      @VineFynn 3 года назад +10

      @@blafoon93 Cook probably circumnavigated the main island

    • @PabloSanchez-qu6ib
      @PabloSanchez-qu6ib 3 года назад +30

      Not really, the bottle wasn't hidden. It would have been left in the place most likely to be seen and with markers.

  • @patsfreak
    @patsfreak 3 года назад +80

    The only leaving in groups of three thing seemed weird until I realized it takes two people to haul one back. Smart and probably tested.

    • @alexd302
      @alexd302 3 года назад +12

      At my boarding school some 60 years ago, they had this rule of three. One can stay with the injured whilst the other goes for help. Makes a lot of sense.

  • @jigaraphale
    @jigaraphale 3 года назад +187

    Imagine talking 20 min about Kerguelen without mentioning the French-USSR join space program... the most surprising thing about this place I think.

    • @KelsomaticPDX
      @KelsomaticPDX 3 года назад +8

      Can you explain the connection or provide any links to more information? Not finding much on a cursory search.

    • @jigaraphale
      @jigaraphale 3 года назад +59

      ​@@KelsomaticPDX just go on the wiki ... The CNES launched several rocket/probes (Dragons) to study the atmosphere, and since the island is on the same magnetic line as the Arkhangelsk Oblast in USSR, they decided to launched more rockets to study the magnetosphere and to trigger aurora borealis on the other side of the Earth. At the end, more than 100 French and Soviet rockets were launched.

    • @Marquis-Sade
      @Marquis-Sade 3 года назад +11

      @@jigaraphale Wait you can actually trigger the aurora borealis like that?

    • @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721
      @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 3 года назад

      Wow, you would've expected him to notice something like a French-USSR joint space program.

    • @jigaraphale
      @jigaraphale 3 года назад +17

      @@Marquis-Sade very small and localised ones, but yes

  • @andrewashton195
    @andrewashton195 3 года назад +58

    I once passed Kerguelen Island on a ship, if you sail a great circle route from South Africa to Australia, I think we went straight to Melbourne, you go south into the roaring forties and pass to the north of the island. I always thought it was uninhabited!

  • @uwu_senpai
    @uwu_senpai 3 года назад +248

    There is also an early warning system for missiles on the Kerguelen. That's also why there is military personnal.

    • @polka23dot70
      @polka23dot70 3 года назад +19

      What is the purpose of this early warning system? Warning peguins?

    • @uwu_senpai
      @uwu_senpai 3 года назад +9

      @@polka23dot70 It warns against incoming missiles.

    • @lloydadkins885
      @lloydadkins885 3 года назад +16

      satellite tracking station for the ESA Galileo GPS system

    • @nhancao4790
      @nhancao4790 3 года назад +24

      @@polka23dot70 Because submarine based nukes could be launched from anywhere in the world.

    • @polka23dot70
      @polka23dot70 3 года назад +9

      According to Wikipedia, there are no military activities on the Kerguelen Islands: The former sounding rocket range to the east of Port-aux-Français is currently the site of a SuperDARN radar. Since 1992, the French Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES) has operated a satellite and rocket tracking station, located 4 km east of Port-aux-Français.

  • @ExxotikGaming
    @ExxotikGaming 3 года назад +368

    I absolutely love this series! Videos about Tristan da Cunha and those rarely-visited high-Arctic Russian islands would be neat as well. I’ve always wanted to travel there!

    • @JamesPhieffer
      @JamesPhieffer 3 года назад +10

      Alert would be an interesting subject, as the most northerly permanent settlement in the world.

    • @juliusnepos6013
      @juliusnepos6013 3 года назад +5

      @@JamesPhieffer yeah, or those scattered pacific and indian ocean islands aswell

    • @dugroz
      @dugroz 3 года назад +5

      He did a seriese about Tristan da Cunha on the Extremities podcast.

    • @MsEKN
      @MsEKN 3 года назад +1

      Me too!

    • @EDGARDODAMOLEPARDILLO-el9nq
      @EDGARDODAMOLEPARDILLO-el9nq 7 месяцев назад

      If france sell this island to china its very dangerous due china plan to rule the world and all species will be lost in the area and they are also treat the antartic and sorounding island. Be careful and study first before making a dangerous decession. China is treat of the whole world. China wants to rule the world!!!.

  • @delgermuruntsagaankhuu6951
    @delgermuruntsagaankhuu6951 3 года назад +456

    I can't explain why but even though this show is exceptionally enjoyable, I enjoy video's about logistics more now. I blame the wendover guy

  • @tobiasbremner9623
    @tobiasbremner9623 3 года назад +491

    Kergeulen Island is also the location of the "southernmost graveyard" of the Second World War. A German warship stopped at Kergeulen to resupply and do routine maintenance work. While painting a German sailor fell from the sport his painting and died. He was buried on the island, making the place the "southernmost graveyard" of World War II.

    • @sadams12345678
      @sadams12345678 3 года назад +36

      That German warship was the armed merchant raider Atlantis.

    • @dugroz
      @dugroz 3 года назад +9

      @@sadams12345678 What was there to get supplies from?

    • @davidvanniekerk356
      @davidvanniekerk356 3 года назад +8

      Dankie Tobia. Wie heissen die name aus die soldaten? What was the name of the soldier?

    • @tobiasbremner9623
      @tobiasbremner9623 3 года назад +1

      @@davidvanniekerk356 That, I don't know

    • @I_Santos_
      @I_Santos_ 3 года назад +4

      @@dugroz cabbage? 🤷‍♂️

  • @awrybowtie5591
    @awrybowtie5591 3 года назад +53

    As a French person in the US, the way he talked about food and meals made me homesick for islands despite the fact they are further away from mainland France than the US lol

    • @NPJGlobal
      @NPJGlobal 2 года назад +2

      Pareil pour moi !

    • @arthemis1039
      @arthemis1039 Год назад +4

      You could try to take a trip to Saint Pierre and Miquelon or Saint Martin lol

  • @MattOlsen294
    @MattOlsen294 3 года назад +257

    I love this series SO much.

  • @stevebarlow3154
    @stevebarlow3154 3 года назад +15

    It's not mentioned in the video but the seas around the Kerguelen Islands are some of the roughest in the world. The largest ever wave was recorded here, over 100 feet high.

  • @SteveBrandon
    @SteveBrandon 3 года назад +8

    I know the difference in climate between Kerguelen and places in the world with mid-latitude temperate zones is due to having completely different ocean currents and wind patterns as well as no nearby continents, but I still find it astonishing that treeless, tundra-seeming Port-aux-Français is only at the equivalent southern latitude to Vancouver in the northern hemisphere and is closer to the equator than is London, England.

  • @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721
    @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 3 года назад +73

    Now, this is a real extremity. I've been loving the new format, but I kind of wish we could get a full podcast season of Kerguelen. It reminds me of Pitcairn; there must be so much more to learn about that this twenty-minute video can cover.

  • @demonhalo67
    @demonhalo67 3 года назад +24

    Kerguelen reminds me alot of the Falklands, which I had the pleasure of visiting for 8 weeks in 2013. Island life is great and I recommend it to anyone.

  • @TomKellyXY
    @TomKellyXY 3 года назад +11

    This sounds like an amazing place to do research at a French island territory until you remember that the other option was to visit Bora Bora.

  • @Blaqjaqshellaq
    @Blaqjaqshellaq 3 года назад +21

    If you dug a hole straight down from the Kerguelen Islands, you'd come out at Prince Albert, Saskatchewan!

    • @richardboote2370
      @richardboote2370 3 года назад

      But with grubby clothes and a worn out shovel!

    • @willi19391
      @willi19391 3 года назад

      @@richardboote2370 And exhausted.

    • @gwarlow
      @gwarlow 3 года назад +1

      @@willi19391 And burned to a crisp!

    • @Dutch_Uncle
      @Dutch_Uncle Год назад

      But then you would have to deal with Canadian Customs and Immigration.

  • @HeWhoIsNamedPatrick
    @HeWhoIsNamedPatrick 2 года назад +3

    The peace and quiet, sky at night, and the air there must be orgasmic.

  • @muneirovalibas6194
    @muneirovalibas6194 3 года назад +38

    *...most isolated islands...*
    Introverts : I've finally found the birthlands of my people.

    • @secretsquirrel6124
      @secretsquirrel6124 3 года назад

      Argentinians

    • @G12GilbertProduction
      @G12GilbertProduction 3 года назад

      INTP guy regreet you! :)

    • @solstice1681
      @solstice1681 3 года назад

      INFJ here I was just thinking how do I move there until I heard you have to go out in groups of 3 😂 I think Tristan De Cunha seems more appealing.

    • @Yha1000itz
      @Yha1000itz 3 года назад

      Those are the places we could call home

  • @devoutsalsa
    @devoutsalsa 3 года назад +72

    I've wanted to visit there ever since I saw it on Google Earth in 2006!

    • @d.s.8227
      @d.s.8227 3 года назад +15

      I'm more of a Tristan da Cunha guy myself, but I get you

    • @SolarAdrift
      @SolarAdrift 3 года назад +1

      @@d.s.8227 Slightly more feasible, but still difficult as hell.

    • @awsomo53
      @awsomo53 3 года назад +1

      I first saw it on a globe when i was in kindergarten in 2000. I knew it was a research station and always wanted to go. $21,000 is a lot though

    • @StuffandThings_
      @StuffandThings_ 3 года назад +3

      I'm more of a fan of Ile Amsterdam, I like forested places and holocene volcanism. All of the subantarctic islands are pretty dramatic though.

    • @NWYVR
      @NWYVR Год назад

      ​@@awsomo53 they don't want people visiting because we don't live on a globe and the more people visit the sooner they will find out.

  • @Matthy63
    @Matthy63 3 года назад +8

    11:35 just a quick correction, he didn't say "trente-neuf" (39) but "trente nœuds)" (30 knots) : that's 55.5 km/h or 34.5 mph.
    Edit: got beaten to it. Just want to clarify I love the episode, amazing work.

  • @gaymooshroom371
    @gaymooshroom371 Год назад +4

    hi, just letting you know that there are currently no captions on this video as the auto-generated ones are only for french! Please add some subtitles so that people who need them can also enjoy this video :)

  • @Delmarvellous
    @Delmarvellous 3 года назад +46

    Thank you for this! I've been curious about Kerguelen ever since I learned it is the land that lies closest to the antipode of where I once lived: Rice Lake, Wisconsin, USA. (An antipode, or antipodal point, is the point on the planet located diametrically opposite to a specific geographic location, & therefore, is the farthest point in the world from that location.)

    • @finlayson
      @finlayson 3 года назад +4

      And Kerguelen Island is actually antipodal to land: "an area of thinly inhabited plains on the border between the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan and the US state of Montana en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antipodes#Cities_and_geographic_features

    • @NWYVR
      @NWYVR Год назад

      No such thing as an antipod because the earth is a flat plane.

  • @mohammadzuhairkhan8661
    @mohammadzuhairkhan8661 3 года назад +45

    I was so excited, but then I realised that I watched this on Nebula already xd.

  • @tedcabana
    @tedcabana Год назад +5

    Kerguelen Island is where Markus Blackmore, in the story, "Manner of the Sundog", had been given land to establish his equestrian ranch. However, he never got the chance to retire to this beautiful island before his untimely misfortune. Though I believe his brother Jet, a Veterinarian, inherited the Blackmore estate, and menagerie of prized horses. How I would love to live such a life!

  • @Tiro_Chopper
    @Tiro_Chopper 3 года назад +28

    As a frenchman myself, this was passionating. Can't wait to see more from Extremities!

    • @Olonne85
      @Olonne85 3 года назад +1

      Then learn about Port Couvreux failed colonization attempt in Kerguelen islands. It's super interesting in it's own way !

    • @samuelb.9515
      @samuelb.9515 3 года назад

      C’était une vidéo passionnante. = This was a passionate video. « Passionating » is not a word. But I completely agree!

    • @NeoLithiumCat
      @NeoLithiumCat 3 года назад

      @@samuelb.9515 Could be going for "fascinating"?

  • @tomgardner8842
    @tomgardner8842 3 года назад +197

    Hey, I have an Idea:
    What if you do a collaboration between you and this wendover Guy and this half as interesting Guy? You could even start a streaming service together!

    • @RedHair651
      @RedHair651 3 года назад +12

      They even have the same voice so no need to send recordings around

    • @Daisy-sh8vd
      @Daisy-sh8vd 3 года назад +1

      @@RedHair651 are they not the same guy?

    • @tugabooga
      @tugabooga 3 года назад +7

      @@Daisy-sh8vd r/whoosh

    • @goldengolem4725
      @goldengolem4725 3 года назад

      Well you got your wish, shockingly.

    • @theanonymouschicken169
      @theanonymouschicken169 3 года назад

      They did on the Half as Interesting video, ‘Every mistake we’ve ever made IV’

  • @1purapericulo
    @1purapericulo 3 года назад +8

    I actually been to kerguelen. The islands are lovely in spring.

    • @BlueInk912
      @BlueInk912 3 года назад +1

      Lucky for you. Thank you for sharing. I am sure you did well and do the station proud. Stay safe & prosper regards ZA 🇿🇦

  • @joshuakruger1777
    @joshuakruger1777 3 года назад +4

    Sam, this is exceptionally well done. You set the standard for what a mini documentary should be. It’s amazing how much information you’ve included in such a short video and still have it watchable.

  • @StuffandThings_
    @StuffandThings_ 3 года назад +9

    How people live in extreme, remote places like this has always nagged at the back of my mind. Super neat to have well organized videos about them! Kerguelen has got to be one of the better topics for this, such an unknown and dramatic land, almost like Antarctica's Antarctica.

    • @L_87
      @L_87 11 месяцев назад

      Sounds like heaven

  • @damianousley8833
    @damianousley8833 Год назад +3

    Captain James Cook visited the island during one of his voyages, mainly for fresh water. He described it as the most desolate place on earth that he had seen. A Frenchman who described it as prime real estate "A second France". When the news came back, how terrible it was, he was dismissed.

    • @Flattithefish
      @Flattithefish Год назад +1

      Yea and A but more north One of the other smaller French souther arctic islands apparently was visited by one of the Magellan boats

  • @gaius_enceladus
    @gaius_enceladus 3 года назад +24

    I *love* finding out about isolated places like this! Tristan da Cunha and Bouvet Island also interest me.

  • @d.s.8227
    @d.s.8227 3 года назад +4

    These guys seem so sweet and genuinely happy

    • @towaritch
      @towaritch 3 года назад

      The guy at the beginning seems a bit infatuated with his smirk.

  • @reynardfoxx6753
    @reynardfoxx6753 2 года назад +18

    Thank you I've never heard of this place before. It's like a French Falkland islands with no neighbors.

    • @kugul1683
      @kugul1683 2 года назад +2

      I never thought about that lol, maybe it's more like France's South Georgia

  • @def8332
    @def8332 3 года назад +17

    Wide aspect ratio. Are we making movies now?

    • @pangolin83
      @pangolin83 3 года назад +7

      Next he'll release a Snyder cut if you're not careful

  • @bracco23
    @bracco23 3 года назад +8

    I'm sure you are aware but just to let you know: the channel has been tagged as "content for children" or something and it doesn't let me ring the bell.

  • @eRR0Rq
    @eRR0Rq 3 года назад +2

    Fun fact: the Northern part of Kerguelen Islands lies on the same latitude as Paris (if you disregard the algebraic sign). Still, it bears more resemblance to Iceland.

  • @forthrightgambitia1032
    @forthrightgambitia1032 Год назад +3

    A bit strange seeing Louis XV as a medieval (and thin) king.

  • @fapitbullet
    @fapitbullet 3 года назад +85

    I am French and this is the most detailed and fascinating video I've seen on these islands.
    Thank you sir! Love this new channel.

  • @felixlfv
    @felixlfv 3 года назад +30

    Also at 11:35 the wind speed indicated is 30 nods which is 55km/h or 34 mph :)

  • @NikolayTach
    @NikolayTach Год назад +1

    Amsterdam Island and Saint-Paul Islands also have great brilliant French minds working there.

  • @danemb3300
    @danemb3300 Год назад +2

    I read a book by a French priest who visited the island he said it was very windy most of the time and it was a miserable place to live for the scientists who manned the base, he said that most of the scientists at that time we're not on speaking terms with one another and couldn't wait to be relieved of their stint there.

  • @erikziak1249
    @erikziak1249 3 года назад +12

    The last year I feel like being on an island, yet located in central Europe. Basically just my flat and my workplace. To be fair, not one full year, but at least 9 months. I am kind of surprised how well I cope with this. Socially isolated, but I have been my whole life. I used to be sad, but not anymore. I just live a day-to-day life, with an innocent smile of a fool on my face... Alone. Lonely. Helpless. Not complaining. Taking it as it is. I bet I would be an anti-social weirdo even on that isolated island. Somebody who does his job, but outside it, remains invisible. Non-existent.

    • @charlenemessick5822
      @charlenemessick5822 3 года назад +4

      I think I understand what you say. Always wanted to be less socially awkward, but at some point you have to accept that it is just who you are!

    • @xn9333
      @xn9333 Год назад

      Your not weird, most people Fxckin suck and most people are burning in Hell but yeah I understand and I feel for you I really do

    • @gamermapper
      @gamermapper Год назад

      I feel really sad for you. I don't know why you have these issues, but this is really bad for your mental health. I used to be just like you, but right now I've massively improved by life and talk way more to people! Idk whether this is because of your social awkwardness or anxiety, or maybe because there was a covid pandemic but even today there aren't really a lot of places to meet people, or because the place you live in is generally not that sociable to make it easy to make friends. But I'll still tru to help! If you have social anxiety, you should probably talk to a psychologist that could help you overcome these issues. If you don't know where to meet people, start doing some activities and hobbies and go to events to meet new people. If your entire environment isn't really friendly to making friends, you should really try going to a new country to see whether you'll prefer this culture! But you should try to do something with that because otherwise, you could really be depressed and sad!

    • @erikziak1249
      @erikziak1249 Год назад

      @@gamermapper Do not feel sad for me. It is a waste of time and I do not want it (nor do I deserve it). Please enjoy life. I managed to convince myself that the reason for me being in this "limbo" state is for others to appreciate their luck. I know this is a stupid lie. But do not think I am depressed. Nope, I am not. I take pills, already for many years. I do not feel like being punished or mistreated or being treated unfair. I found a way to cope, even though I know and realize it just a lie that I tell to myself. I can only hope for dementia to kick in before existential crisis, haha. Do not take anything I write too seriously. I have also "bright sides" sometimes. When I see that a tiny bit of effort from my side made some other people smile and remember of their childhood or early adulthood. I cherish those little joys I am a tiny insignificant part of, that I see in faces of some random people. I am genuinely fine, relaxed, not anxious or depressed. Or so I think. As long as it works there is no need to change it. Right? Best wishes to all good people on this pale blue dot we call Earth. I will be satisfied and happy, if you are at least half as satisfied and happy than I am. Really no need to feel bad for me. I am just the most lucky "bastard" on this planet, nor realizing it fully. But I am working on it. Slowly. Better not rush it, I want it to last.

  • @okagedesu
    @okagedesu Год назад +1

    Randomly found the island while bored at work. That video really does it justice, great job.

  • @felixlfv
    @felixlfv 3 года назад +25

    Great video, there is a small spelling mistake at 3:51 : Christophe Guinet works for CNRS and not CRNS ;)

  • @jonjames7328
    @jonjames7328 3 года назад +2

    The introduced salmon, trout, sheep and the native cabbage sound like the basis of a great diet and the hunting and fishing involved would be the basis of a great outdoor life.

  • @mesteme
    @mesteme 3 года назад +9

    Not sure I understand this aspect ratio, that sacrifices almost 50% of a common laptop screen, which I'm guessing is the most common non handheld device accessing yt.

    • @aktazf1192
      @aktazf1192 3 года назад +3

      Most people watch on their phone which these days is usually a longer and skinnier ratio than the standard 16:9 you are used to on a laptop. If more viewers watch on their phone it makes sense to use a ratio better suited for that

    • @mesteme
      @mesteme 3 года назад +3

      @@aktazf1192 yes indeed however, when watching from a handheld device you generally are already accepting a compromise, also many devices let one zoom the content enough to fill the available view area. When viewing from a large device you expect a high quality and it is silly, in my view, to force both segments to a lower user experience.

  • @Zachruff
    @Zachruff 3 года назад +10

    21:47 bruh why is there a cat there

    • @jimbomchooch6007
      @jimbomchooch6007 3 года назад +6

      every island needs a Queen to rule over it

    • @texanfournow
      @texanfournow 3 года назад +2

      Helps keep the rat population in check, except for Ratatouille.

    • @ipadair7345
      @ipadair7345 3 года назад

      @@jimbomchooch6007 launched by flat earthers, in order to make the island useless by killing native species /s

    • @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721
      @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 3 года назад +1

      @@texanfournow Looks like Alberta has some competition in being rat-free.

    • @texanfournow
      @texanfournow 3 года назад +2

      @@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 Good point. I am still a little skeptical of Alberta, but hey, if he knows rats like he knows planes and logistics, I will defer to him.

  • @eileenhetherington3704
    @eileenhetherington3704 Год назад +1

    Interesting island, but I am missing lots of info here. What are the temperature ranges? What native plants grow here? What are the water sources? I would love to see less interviews and more of the actual topography.

  • @MisakaMikotoDesu
    @MisakaMikotoDesu 3 года назад +6

    1:30 Dude has a KEK key on his wall.

  • @deusexaethera
    @deusexaethera 3 года назад +8

    "Why does France have possession of a tiny sub-Antarctic archipelago 8000 miles away from Paris?"
    Whales. When asking why a European country has possession of an inhospitable remote island, the answer is ALWAYS whales. That may not be what it's used for now, but that's what it was used for originally.

  • @jeffgumawid7554
    @jeffgumawid7554 3 года назад +30

    Hey man.
    Can you do some on these Philippine remote gems?
    Cagayancillo Island, Palawan
    Turtle Islands, Tawi-Tawi
    Kalayaan, Palawan (smack in the middle of the Spratlys conflict)
    Babuyan Islands, Cagayan

  • @funnyperson4027
    @funnyperson4027 Год назад +1

    the geology of this microcontinent is absolutely fascinating

  • @connecticutaggie
    @connecticutaggie 3 года назад +30

    I can imagine that Starlink is going to be a huge benefit to these islands

    • @vividfiber6668
      @vividfiber6668 2 года назад

      lol starlink isnt happening. Free internet? capitalism hates free things. They will regulate and create laws and hurdles to the point where it will never be realized on any useful scale. The three companies that have a monopoly on inernet services will lobby politicians around the world to stop it dead in its tracks through as many laws and regulations as possible. why do you think we dont have it yet?

    • @connecticutaggie
      @connecticutaggie 2 года назад

      @@vividfiber6668 1) Starlink already happened, there are lots of people already using it 2) Who said anything about free? 3) Right now, Starlink does require collaboration with the local Government because the current Starlink satellites require a local base station. Once the new Starlink satellites with laser in orbit communications, this will no longer be required. The can force receivers into hiding but eliminating them will be very difficult.

  • @tweed.k
    @tweed.k 2 года назад +2

    just watching this for escapism. my country's and world's situation and future are terrifying to bear, so watching places almost isolated from the world gives me a slim hair of hope and a brief moment to disconnect from reality...

    • @Quiestre
      @Quiestre 2 года назад +1

      if WW3 starts I am going there no matter what

  • @ronti2492
    @ronti2492 Год назад +5

    Terrific doco- the almighty YT algorhythm led me here. I've spent time on Reunion, of course it is the logistic base for Kerguelen. The island reminds me of Macquarie Island, another sub-Antarctic island, but this one is in the remit of Australia, with my home town of Hobart the admin support base ( =and the HQ of the Australian Antarctic Division). Might I suggest Macquarie as a subject for a future doco. Great work interviewing the staff too! Thankyou thankyou!

  • @АндрейМаломуж-г5т
    @АндрейМаломуж-г5т Год назад +1

    My dream from early childhood is to visit this island. I know it’s impossible mission for common people but if I have such opportunity I will learn Franch and be a science.

  • @Sshooter444
    @Sshooter444 3 года назад +3

    Louis XV looks like he time traveled back to 13th century

  • @NajwaLaylah
    @NajwaLaylah 3 года назад +4

    French cooks are one of the defining qualities of Heaven, according to a very old list.

  • @pianobear7491
    @pianobear7491 3 года назад +12

    Sure, bring rabbits and sheep, salmon, and what not? That's never harmed any eco system ever! RIght, Australia?

    • @towaritch
      @towaritch 3 года назад +1

      There was no fauna ( save seals) in the Kerguelen anyway

    • @extrastuff9463
      @extrastuff9463 3 года назад

      @@towaritch Could still impact the flora though! With sheep/rabbits selectively eating things that'd normally survive. Or spread seeds around diufferently than the wind normally does. But I suspect the populations weren't recently established, if they weren't there already I'd hope they wouldn't introduce them now. A cat was also briefly shown, if I'd have to guess probably a ship cat descendant.

    • @magnus7857
      @magnus7857 3 года назад

      @@extrastuff9463 According to Wikipedia, rabbits and slugs, that came there from Europe in the late 19th century are endangering the Kerguelen cabbage

  • @RW-ce8kp
    @RW-ce8kp Год назад +3

    Extremely well done series. I'm hooked :) I'm fascinated by remote locations.

    • @Patya69
      @Patya69 3 месяца назад

      Same, they're so interesting for some reason.

  • @CrystalStearOfTheCas
    @CrystalStearOfTheCas 3 года назад +16

    @11:36 it's 30 nœuds (30 nautical knots) and not trente NEUF. So that's 56kph. You should correct it, that's twice as much

    • @towaritch
      @towaritch 3 года назад

      That's why there is the famous French bad word " Tete de noeud" ( a " noeud" in French slang is a testicle).

    • @philippelebon814
      @philippelebon814 3 года назад

      @@towaritch nœud is for the "gland" (end of the stick)

  • @HansLemurson
    @HansLemurson 3 года назад +3

    Doesn't Keguelen also extend France's "Exclusive Economic Zone"?

  • @ibec69
    @ibec69 3 года назад +2

    Cook wrote something similar after he discovered Australia, that it was uninhabited. Only local wildlife, he wrote, although he had met Aborignal Australians.

  • @NoPrivateProperty
    @NoPrivateProperty 2 года назад +1

    my 8th grader just picked this island off the map, so we searched it on youtube and learned about it. pretty cool technology

  • @wyzzkyd.
    @wyzzkyd. Год назад +2

    the entire Kerguelen island is just giant trees that grew from below the waters the just living on cut down tree stumps an roots that goes all direction that now petrified

  • @Robersora
    @Robersora 3 года назад +6

    So basically, this island is like living in Death Stranding.

  • @hypercomms2001
    @hypercomms2001 3 года назад +3

    With this, you can imagine what it will be like living on the Moon in 50 years from now...

    • @jeremyh9033
      @jeremyh9033 3 года назад

      Probably closer to 10-15 years actually

  • @vladimirsuhov4285
    @vladimirsuhov4285 3 года назад +17

    Any plans for an episode on Wrangel Island? Spent most of my childhood there (late 80s) and I know it's not the same anymore (not so much science, more of an army base now) but still curious about what it's really like there these days. Maybe my dad could even help with some contacts, but it's hard to promise.

    • @inari.28
      @inari.28 3 года назад +2

      I'm (obviously) not Sam but I second this, I would really like to see an episode on Russian Arctic islands

  • @PronatorTendon
    @PronatorTendon 2 года назад +1

    You could mix pictures of the town with images of towns in Greenland, and I wouldn't be able to tell the difference

  • @ssl3546
    @ssl3546 Год назад +1

    When you said the seals were "decimated" I thought, well that was a rather restrained hunting if they only killed 1/10 of the seals. But then you said the seals were gone. You meant "annihilated" or "eradicated."

    • @Dutch_Uncle
      @Dutch_Uncle Год назад

      I think that "decimate" must be purged from the English language, for exactly the reason you pointed out.
      Yours for linguistic precision and understanding.

  • @SwordOfAndariel
    @SwordOfAndariel 3 года назад +3

    Filmed in aspect ratio 21:9! Fullscreen on ultrawide

  • @archdukefranzferdinand567
    @archdukefranzferdinand567 3 года назад +6

    I can't get notifications for this channel because "This action is turned off for content made for kids
    "

    • @xp8969
      @xp8969 3 года назад +3

      Kids absolutely love this shit

    • @callumd.4585
      @callumd.4585 3 года назад

      Watch out for those Serbians.

  • @djp1234
    @djp1234 3 года назад +2

    I can't turn on the bell notifications for this channel.

  • @Serendip98
    @Serendip98 Год назад +1

    11:36 I think he says that winds are over "30 noeuds" (= 30 knots = nautical miles/h), so 30 x 1.852m / hour = 55.56 km/h. I can't see any reason why he should say "39"'.

  • @janesmith9024
    @janesmith9024 Год назад +3

    Wonderful . I had never heard of them but do know of Reunion. Very good of Captain Cook to give credit to Kerguelen and the French for first discovery. I hope we can keep most people away from all these isolated places and humans always spoil them. Ah to be alone..... so hard to achieve

  • @justins8802
    @justins8802 2 года назад +1

    It’s unfortunate that they can’t have air service, particularly for medic evaluation, given that the Boeing 314 Clipper ,which first flew in 1939, could have made a round trip from Reunion without refueling. There are a few modern seaplanes - I wonder if one could provide service there.

  • @thecodemachine
    @thecodemachine 3 года назад +10

    I thought a French breakfast was a cigarette and black coffee.

  • @agesflow6815
    @agesflow6815 Год назад

    Kerguelen looks like a swell place.
    You know what would make it perfect? An opera house.
    I want the opera house...
    I WANT MY KERGUELEN OPERA HOUSE!!!

  • @vegard9908
    @vegard9908 3 года назад +4

    Greetings to you, Sam!
    I really like the genre of this channel. (I am subbed to both of your other channels btw). Remote places has always fascinated me. With this comment, I would just like to point you in the direction on Jan Mayen (seeing as I am Norwegian, and all). But I do think you might find it quite interesting. No tourism possible I'm afraid. But the fact that it is serviced ~twice per year by military cargo planes, says quite alot about how remote it actually is.

  • @carlramirez6339
    @carlramirez6339 3 года назад +10

    5:03 King Louis XV looked nothing like that drawing

    • @T0T4LG4MER5
      @T0T4LG4MER5 3 года назад +2

      I was hoping someone else noticed this

    • @thulyblu5486
      @thulyblu5486 3 года назад +1

      I have seen plenty of 18th century UHD photographs of the dude but those are top secret. The real question is: How do you guys know how Louis XV looked?

    • @Squossifrage
      @Squossifrage 3 года назад +4

      @@thulyblu5486 How do you know what George Washington looked like?

    • @magnus7857
      @magnus7857 3 года назад +3

      @@thulyblu5486 Ever heard of paintings?

    • @thulyblu5486
      @thulyblu5486 3 года назад

      @@magnus7857 yes, there is one of King Louix XV in this video, but people don't seem to accept it

  • @wesmahan4757
    @wesmahan4757 Год назад +1

    I just discovered this show (and thus "Extremities") tonight. This, to me, is absolutely gripping and fascinating, as much as any show or movie I watch in "regular" media. Keep it up! I just subscribed and will be watching ALL these shows. (And now, BTW, I'm going to do a search on Crozet Islands, and St. Paul & Amsterdam Islands . . . I'm a geology nut, but I haven't heard of any of these before tonight!)

    • @Dave_Sisson
      @Dave_Sisson Год назад

      The McDonald Islands are/were just south of Kerguelen and they recently doubled in size following a number of volcanic eruptions. The islands were joined together, so now there is only a single McDonald Island. Owned by Australian rather than France, but very geologically interesting.

  • @NVRAMboi
    @NVRAMboi 3 года назад +1

    I bet they still get SPAM phone calls for extended vehicle warranties.

  • @michaelk2208
    @michaelk2208 3 года назад

    I absolutely love this channel. Have listened to all Extremities podcasts on Spotify previously, which where super interesting and to see the channel starting on RUclips as well is great! Keep up the great work!

  • @stmaurice2045
    @stmaurice2045 2 года назад +2

    There is a French politician, Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, who recently suggested to build a prison for Islamic terrorists in the Kerguelen Islands. A sort of subantarctic Guantanamo.

    • @markmh835
      @markmh835 2 года назад +1

      Or 21st century Devil's Island.....

  • @khrisp
    @khrisp 3 года назад +10

    this guy sounds like that hai guy

  • @r0cketplumber
    @r0cketplumber 3 года назад +1

    The Westerly Gales trilogy by E.C. Williams has Kerguelen as a major naval power in a post-apocalyptic world. Unlikely but interesting...

  • @jeandanielodonnncada
    @jeandanielodonnncada 3 года назад +10

    Here I am having Flocons de Maïs for breakfast in Québec, and I'm terrified that France calls them Corn Flakes. 😭

    • @barvdw
      @barvdw 3 года назад +2

      The ARRÊT sign also just says STOP ;).

    • @AlpineAddict
      @AlpineAddict 3 года назад

      I was surprised when he said corn flakes. From my experience a lot of the cereal boxes in French supermarkets are labelled as Flocons de Mais.

    • @barvdw
      @barvdw 3 года назад

      @@AlpineAddict perhaps under ingredients, but the name I see is mostly corn flakes, even for other breakfast cereals.

    • @AlpineAddict
      @AlpineAddict 3 года назад

      @@barvdw You're right, I just looked some up. I was thinking of Flocons d'avoine :)

    • @tomslick5456
      @tomslick5456 3 года назад

      That's because you are Quebecois. Canadian French is different, and a little weird. LOL

  • @C.J.Southwell
    @C.J.Southwell 3 года назад +2

    Not the hood on the poor penguin at 3:36 D:

  • @Paul-te8mz
    @Paul-te8mz Год назад +3

    Many thanks for the really interesting vid. With resident sheep and rabbits, and abundant fish, it would be wonderful if Kergullen could become self sufficient, at least in relation to food supply. Although there are no trees, the soil appears fertile and at least root vegetable should be possible, with seaweed as fertiliser. And with the winds as described, no reason it couldn't become self sufficient in respect of energy.

  • @xiphosura413
    @xiphosura413 Год назад +1

    Would love to see it some day. It is a dream of mine to work on Macquarie Island, a similar environment.

  • @just_kos99
    @just_kos99 Год назад +1

    One of my favorite Sci-Fi books is called "Rissa Kerguelen". Now I see where the author, F.M. Busby, got the name!

  • @MS-bh3uw
    @MS-bh3uw 3 года назад +1

    Fascinating. Great job.

  • @BernardvonSchulmann
    @BernardvonSchulmann 3 года назад

    I have always wanted to see a documentary about living on the Keguelen Islands

  • @jamesfuria3939
    @jamesfuria3939 Год назад +1

    I have a very old map of this island that shows the prime meridian in Paris.

  • @mrIpodmagic
    @mrIpodmagic 2 года назад +1

    I would love to visit this place

  • @BrodyYYC
    @BrodyYYC 2 года назад +8

    I found this when searching for what is on the opposite side of the planet from where I live. I always assumed due to the cliche it would be somewhere in China. This was really cool to find out especially since I've always been fascinated with the north and south pole and remote places in general.

    • @NWYVR
      @NWYVR Год назад

      No such thing. We live on a flat plane covered by a solid dome. Antarctica is an ice wall that surrounds the earth plane.

  • @Marcusvi24
    @Marcusvi24 3 года назад +3

    Would love if you'd do a similar video of Pitcairn and the Falkland Islands!

  • @GetOutsideYourself
    @GetOutsideYourself 3 года назад +1

    0:36 it's French Bear Grylls.