The most closed countries, which are almost impossible to get into. North Korea is the only country in the world that has a captured US Navy ship. Closed countries where no one is waiting for you

Cities were always closed: from the enemy, from the plague, from escapes. The city was created so that it could be closed quickly, historically. But even today there are many cities in the world that are closed for various reasons.

Sarov and 41 other closed administrative-territorial entities of the Russian Federation

"Closed cities" and "conditionally closed cities" were commonplace in the USSR. Suffice it to mention Vladivostok, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara. Now the status of ZATO is reserved only for cities and towns, whose activities are 100% related to the defense industry or the nuclear sphere. One of the most closed remains the key city of the military atom, Sarov, which appeared on the site of the famous Holy Dormition Sarov Desert, where St. Seraphim of Sarov lived from 1778 to 1833. Now the entrance to the city is tightly controlled: several rows of barbed wire, a trail, cameras everywhere. You can get there only with special passes. Residents have the right to invite only relatives. Sarov is the most protected among ZATOs, some closed settlements can be visited.

Mecca and Medina

These holy cities Muslims in Saudi Arabia are not allowed to visit non-Muslims. You can get there only with groups of Muslim pilgrims from Russia. Human rights in the European sense do not exist there, and there is no tourism, although both Mecca and Medina are most interesting cities. In Mecca, which the prophet Muhammad captured in 630, there is the main shrine - the Kaaba - this is such a large cube, the magical center of Islam, the "Holy House", gathering the faithful for the Hajj. The Kaaba stands in the grand mosque peace of Al-Haram. Prophet Muhammad lived and died in Medina. There, next to his house is the dome of the prophet, and next to Medina is the first mosque of Islam - Al-Kuba

Pyongyang

Americans, South Koreans, and journalists cannot enter the capital of the DPRK. For other tourists, entry is possible, but only as part of a limited group. Visa must be requested at least 4 weeks prior to travel. In North Korea, a tourist is generally not allowed to move anywhere without a guide. But recently, the regime has been softened a bit - now mobile phones are not taken away at the entrance.

Mogadishu

Three years ago, the arrival of a tourist from Canada named Mike caused a stir in the Somali government, which does not control half the city at all. Hasn't stopped there for over 20 years. Civil War. Mogadishu is considered the most dangerous capital in the world. And Somalia is the second most closed country after North Korea in the World Policy Journal ranking. Direct flights Mogadishu supports only 6 countries, and no more than 18,000 foreign citizens visit there a year.

San Pedro Sula

The most dangerous city on Earth. For several consecutive years, he overtakes even the Mexican Ciudad Juarez in terms of murders. Cartels run in San Pedro Sula, and when gold bars were cast there for shipment to Spain. True, the pirates plundered the mint more than once and it had to be moved to a place away from the coast (the city stands 60 km from the Caribbean Sea).

For those who like to travel today there are no barriers. In a short time, you can fly across the oceans, cross the continents and feel like a welcome guest in almost any country in the world.

Is it really? Citizens of any country can get into some states, for example, the Maldives or the Comoros, without hassle. To enter the territory of most others, you need to obtain a visa or collect additional documents.

But there are several states on the planet that can be called the most closed countries in the world. Tourists are not welcome on their territory, and if they are, it is only because you can profit and appropriate valuable items that belonged to them.

Passport Index

At the end of 2017, a comparative accessibility rating of all 198 countries was published. Thanks to this study, not only the easiest states to visit were revealed. We also managed to find out which territories are so inhospitable that it is not only almost impossible to visit there, but often dangerous.

In total, there are seven names on the list of the most closed countries in the world. Compete for first place North Korea and Turkmenistan. Let's look at the entire list.

1. Turkmenistan.
2. North Korea.
3. Saudi Arabia.
4. Afghanistan.
5. Somalia.
6. Butane.
7. Angola.

Why is the government of these countries so uninterested in the profits from the tourist flow that it is impossible to see life there? Each state has its own reasons. Let's try to deal with each of them.

Land of golden monuments

If you set a goal, you can get permission to enter Turkmenistan. You just have to prepare in advance for the difficulties and think about whether you really want to see Ashgabat, Samarkand and Bukhara.

Obtaining an entry permit is approved directly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It's a lottery: collect and provide everything Required documents and get rejected without giving a reason. There are no visa exemptions for anyone, even an invitation from a relative or an official organization does not guarantee a visa.

There are strict rules for guests visiting one of the most closed countries in the world, Turkmenistan. For example, you need to provide confirmation in which hotel the tourist will spend the night. After 23:00 for foreigners comes curfew and it is forbidden to be on the streets.

To the numerous monuments of the country must be shown maximum respect. Funny photos against the background of the golden monument of the leader are not welcome.

Unfamiliar city Pyongyang

More recently, it was pointless to even dream of a trip to North Korea, the most closed country in the world. Although see real life people behind the impenetrable curtain is interesting not only to professional journalists.

Everything starts to change in better side: Tourism is gradually returning to North Korea. The cost of the tour will be at least $2,000 (133,000 rubles). You will also need to obtain many special permits.

But even after arriving in Pyongyang, to talk to local residents and walk around the city will not work. Guests must be accompanied by a local guide (part-time supervisor). He will lead a tour of the main attractions, show shops intended for foreigners, and take you to the hotel. It is impossible to be on the street without an escort - they can be arrested.

By the way, taking pictures without permission is also prohibited. There are only a few places in the capital against which you can take pictures for memory. When leaving, the customs officer has the right to check the camera's memory card and delete any photos.

But there is good news - tourists were allowed to use mobile phones. Previously, they were taken away at the entrance to the country. Not surprisingly, until recently, North Korea was considered the most closed country in the world.

Tourist entry ban

Saudi Arabia is one of the richest countries in the world. At the same time, the level of religious conservatism is very high here. Only Muslim pilgrims have a chance to visit this country. Those who perform the holy hajj are allowed by the authorities to visit Mecca and Medina, cities that every devout Muslim must visit at least once. Of course, only a man can get permission.

But even pilgrims from other countries are accepted organized groups and accompanied local guide. You can't travel freely here either.

Recently the situation has changed for the better. In one of the most closed countries in the world, Saudi Arabia, tourists were allowed to enter. But with restrictions: to move only along the same route for all foreigners and accompanied by local guide. In addition, there are areas in the country where visiting by representatives of other religions is prohibited. If you violate the ban, then the most lenient punishment will be arrest.

Country of eternal wars and drugs

Before you decide to visit Afghanistan, think. After a series of brutal wars, the attitude of local residents towards tourists is not very friendly.

To travel, you must receive an invitation from a local resident, necessarily indicating the purpose of the visit. You can not take pictures, especially people, shoot videos, wear revealing clothes and violate local customs. For women, the rules are much stricter, it is dangerous even to be on the street without a man. Even a photo for a visa is better to do in a headscarf. Given the huge number of people openly carrying weapons, it is better not to violate the prohibitions.

Another fact that makes Afghanistan one of the most closed countries in the world is that only $200 (13,300 rubles) can be taken back. And it does not matter how much the tourist had at the entrance.

Pirates and shootouts

But with obtaining a visa to Somalia, there will be no problems at all. It can be easily obtained upon arrival immediately at the airport. But there is no waiting list here.

Somalia has long been an unspoken symbol of extreme levels of crime and poverty. It is not surprising that she was included in the list of the most closed countries.

For more than 20 years, the civil war has not stopped here. Even in the capital, Mogadishu, gunfire is often heard. Locals view any tourist as a potential hostage.

Do not travel around Somalia without a local guide who is familiar with customs and armed guards. Although this does not guarantee security.

Protection of nature and architecture

The government of Bhutan, a small kingdom in the Himalayas, deliberately restricts access to curious tourists. Here they take great care to preserve the intact natural beauty and comfort of the inhabitants of the country. This helped her maintain her cultural identity, but made Bhutan one of the most closed countries in the world.

Few will be able to see the amazing beauty of the Himalayas. The process of obtaining a visa is lengthy and not always successful. A visa is issued only for 15 days, and for each of them you will have to pay a rather large tourist tax for the purpose of travel. And yes, none independent trips. All movements only through local agencies and with the permission of the authorities. Therefore, you can see the ancient Buddhist monasteries, stupas and monuments only with a guide and observing all local rituals.

Beautiful and dangerous Angola

A country with a stable temperate climate, spread out on the shores of the ocean - real paradise for tourists. But no, on the streets of Angola, even the locals do not risk walking alone.

Unemployment and poverty are pushing once-friendly people to extreme measures. Therefore, you cannot openly hold a camera or wear jewelry here. In the capital of the country, Luanda, it is relatively calm, and in more remote areas you need to be very careful.

In addition, even in the institutions of the capital, elementary sanitary standards are not observed, and there are almost no roads in the usual sense. But there is an endless ocean with beautiful sandy beaches, fresh tropical fruits and amazing nature reserves.

It is difficult to determine which country is the most closed in the world. Too many factors to consider. But whether it is worth going there to rest, each traveler decides only for himself.

Eric Lafforgue

"My Planet" understands how things really are in countries that are not customary to choose as a place for a planned summer vacation.

In the first article, we talked about life in. We continue...

North Korea

Chintung Lee

The most closed country on the planet - North Korea - adopted the status of a People's Democratic Republic in 1948. Currently, the power in the country belongs to Kim Jong-un. All people living in the country are officially forbidden to talk about their lives and household arrangements of their families.

Lifestyle

All residents of North Korea are conditionally divided into three levels: the main, hesitant and hostile. The status goes to the modern Korean by inheritance, based on his position in society and the activities of his ancestors during the Korean War. Those who are in the Labor Party are the main group, those who are expelled from the party are the hostile group. Representatives of the latter cannot get higher education and serve in the army.

The standard of living in the DPRK is low, the government invests all the funds in the army and weapons.

North Koreans dress simply, ride bicycles (because they cannot afford to buy a car), and soldiers walk the streets.

women perform hard work in the fields and factories on a par with men.

Inheritance is passed down through the male line.

Chintung Lee / Shutterstock.com

healthcare

The task of the Party is a strong and healthy nation. From early childhood, it is customary for young North Koreans to be enrolled in sports sections, and a regime of compulsory physical training is instilled. Obesity is not a problem that is peculiar to Koreans, the nation does not overeat. Women are not allowed to smoke. However, while the average life expectancy in the DPRK is 66 years. The government also has a policy to reduce the number of children in families.

Career

The communist regime of North Korea has infiltrated every area of ​​people's lives. In the mornings, the howling of sirens is heard here, waking citizens from sleep and urging them to go to work. Crowds of people on bicycles go to plants and factories, there are no traffic lights on the roads, and special girls-regulators follow the regulation. At the end of the working day, closer to night, all city lights are turned off, plunging cities into darkness.

benyjakabek

There are no salaries in the DPRK as such. More precisely, its size is about $ 3-5 - with this money you can buy two cups of coffee. There is quite a bit of live money in the country, everything necessary for life is given to people as coupons, while medicine, education and housing are free. Exemplary workers with good behavior receive, in addition to basic food stamps, additional amounts of rice, meat and eggs. The entire agricultural culture is based on the cultivation of corn, potatoes and millet, so there are very few fresh vegetables in the country. People even eat ordinary grass, which is plucked from the lawn.

Democracy, glasnost

In North Korea, it is forbidden to listen to foreign music and watch foreign TV channels. Actually, people simply do not have access to foreign sources of culture, each film and song must be approved personally by the leader.

Vincent St. Thomas / Shutterstock.com

For disobedience to the laws, the criminal is threatened with hard labor or prison. So, for example, you can end up in places of deprivation of liberty for operations with renting an apartment, and for storing foreign sources of information you can get up to three years. For especially grave crimes - political treason to the state and embezzlement of public funds - public execution in the form of shooting follows. As a result, there is almost no crime in the country.

Religion

The main religion is Buddhism and Confucianism. Those religions that are not officially registered in the church are considered illegal, and their followers are persecuted by law.

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Entry into the country

It is carried out only with travel agencies. Throughout the trip, the tourist is under strict supervision and has the right to move around the city only with a guide. It is forbidden to bring any gadgets, phones and radios with you, as this can damage the reputation of the country. If you refuse to play by these rules, you will be blacklisted and permanently denied a tourist visa in the future.

Saudi Arabia

Fedor Selivanov

Saudi Arabia was formed in 1932 by the merger of two principalities, Najd and Hijaz. In 1938, the first oil was found in the country, and since then it has been considered the first in the world to extract this mineral, and, accordingly, the richest. Power here is transmitted exclusively by inheritance, only through the Al Saud family line. The royal family is allowed to have up to four wives.

Religion

If North Korea is a secular state, then in Saudi Arabia, religion determines the way of life. The country lives under strict Sharia law, because of this, any public entertainment is prohibited: theater, cinema, concert under open sky, circus, etc. It is allowed to watch local TV and listen to Islamic radio stations.

sufi

Democracy, glasnost, attitude towards women

Saudi Arabia - the only country in a world where women are forbidden to work, drive a car, leave the house without a male escort (only with a family representative). Most recently, in 2011, women were allowed to vote in local elections. Also, they cannot be used. public transport, elevators and restaurants common to both sexes (some have specially equipped separate entrances and exits). Many restaurants have separate rooms for couples and men.

The male guardian, the mahram, plays an important role in all aspects of a woman's life. Without the agreement of the mahram, a woman cannot marry, get an education, get a job, move within the country, travel abroad, open a bank account, and even have a planned operation. Residential buildings are designed taking into account the gender division - for women they build rooms with high walls and small windows, which must be hung with curtains.

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Legislation

For possession of drugs, the death penalty is expected, for drinking alcohol - flogging, prison and deportation. In this regard, expats clandestinely brew moonshine, which is called sadyki here. The death penalty in the country it is provided for murder, armed robbery, homosexuality, any extramarital and premarital affairs, witchcraft, religious apostasy, violent acts of a sexual nature and the creation of opposition groups to the authorities. The profession of an executioner is considered very honorable and is inherited. In general, Saudi Arabia has a list of professions, officially approved by the Ministry of Labor, for which only Saudis are accepted (HR specialist or government relations specialist).

Entry into the country

For a long time the country was absolutely closed to tourists. In the mid-2000s, it was decided to open tourist entry for foreign citizens, but visas are issued only to businessmen and diplomats, relatives of the country's citizens, for transit to a third country and Muslim pilgrims. Entry individual tourists still banned. The pilgrimage is also not so simple: staying in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina for non-Muslims is prohibited by law.

Turkmenistan is so afraid of allowing contact between locals and visitors that it has built a multi-billion dollar "tourist pen" in Avaza for foreigners.

IN Lately There is a lot of talk in Turkmenistan about the development of the tourism industry. They say that Turkmenistan with its ancient history and culture, original customs and traditions opens up to the world with bright facets of goodness, peace and cordiality. The President promises to build a world-class resort on the Caspian coast. Even in Ashgabat, a river was dug to keep up, as was stated, with Vienna, Paris and Budapest.

Anyone who knows the situation a little better than nothing has a suspicion that the thoughts and speeches of Turkmen officials are somewhat out of touch with reality. But the reality is that guests are not expected here.

No one can come to Turkmenistan without a visa, you won’t get a visa at the border, and you haven’t heard about e-visas here. There are only two such countries in the world: Turkmenistan and Syria. There is also Afghanistan, but with one significant difference- If you or your parents were born in Afghanistan, you do not need an entry visa there. It seems that a trifle, but speaks of the attitude towards people. In Turkmenistan, on the contrary, it is believed that the Turkmen with foreign passport ideologically more dangerous than any "real" foreigner.

In short, whether you are at least Russians, at least Chinese, at least “negroes of advanced years”, go to the nearest consulate of Turkmenistan, and there they will explain to you how the senseless and merciless Turkmen tourism begins - with an “invitation”.

Invitation

"Invitation" is a document that is issued for every foreigner who wants to come to Turkmenistan. Someone must “invite” every foreigner and in the future bear full responsibility for him, up to criminal responsibility (as happened more than once). This applies equally to hired workers, and to tourists, and to those wishing to visit relatives living in Turkmenistan.

There is even a regulation called “Obligations of legal entities and individuals who invited foreign citizens or stateless persons to Turkmenistan”, which, among other things, reads:

“Inviting foreign citizens or stateless persons, legal and individuals and host organizations are obliged to promptly explain to them their rights and obligations under the legislation of Turkmenistan, ensure their compliance with the legislation of Turkmenistan, and also take measures for their timely registration and execution of documents for stay in Turkmenistan ... "

Foreigners who do not have relatives or acquaintances in Turkmenistan, but who wish to visit there, are invited to use the services travel companies who will explain your rights and obligations to you, concoct the necessary "invitation" at the Migration Service, certify it at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and charge 300-500 dollars for this.

With a ready-made invitation in hand, you again go to the consulate, now to get the actual visa.

Visa

The Turkmen entry visa (surprise!) is the most expensive in the world. If multiple annual visa to the US or the UK will cost something around $200 (depending on the citizenship and place of residence of the applicant), then you will have to pay more than $1,000 for a similar Turkmen visa. Turkmenistan also offers cheaper short-stay and single-entry visas, but in set with an “invitation” and payment for hotel accommodation (even if you don’t need a hotel), they are still unthinkably expensive.

Let's take the simplest and cheapest tourist visa - a single-entry visa, a stay of 10 days. It takes about a month and 335 dollars to get it - 35 visa + 300 "invitation". None other tourist visa the world is not worth that kind of money!

Welcome!

Even if you managed to get a visa and come to Turkmenistan, you will need special permission to visit certain settlements, such as Atamurat (formerly Kerki), Khazar (Cheleken), Serkhetabad (Kushka) and Serakhs. Even citizens of Turkmenistan, not to mention foreigners, are not allowed to go there without permission. In the language of the officials of the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan, this is called "an area closed to the public foreign citizens". And in general, a foreigner in Turkmenistan, if he is not a guest of the government, is subject to restrictions and prohibitions at every step.

For example, your visa indicates the border crossing point of Turkmenistan. If plans have changed, you will not be allowed in anywhere else and no visa will help.

Your visa also indicates the places you can visit. If the route has changed, you will be caught and expelled from the country. If you also took pictures at the same time, then, most likely, your camera will be taken away from you before deportation. And if you were accompanied by one of the locals, then in the next few years you most likely will not see him.

Arriving in Turkmenistan, foreign tourist is obliged to register with the State Committee for Tourism, appearing there in person with a passport and a certificate from the hotel. You cannot stay with relatives or acquaintances, for this you need to enter Turkmenistan at their private “invitation”. If you were “invited” in this order, you will have to register at the place of residence of the receiving citizen of Turkmenistan, where you will be required to provide a whole bunch of documents, including papers confirming kinship (“Hello, I am your aunt!”) And the purpose of the visit.

In 2009, speaking at a meeting of the Russian-Turkmen economic forum, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Viktor Zubkov proposed to simplify and then cancel the visa regime between Russia and Turkmenistan. “We need to achieve simplification as soon as possible visa regime with the prospect of its complete abolition, ”Zubkov said then, but did not achieve anything.

Theoretically, residents of the Atyrau and Mangystau regions of Kazakhstan can visit the Balkan velayat of Turkmenistan without visas (no more than 5 days), and residents of the Khorezm, Bukhara, Surkhandarya, Kashkadarya regions of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Karakalpakstan have the right to visit without visas (no more than 3 days once a month) areas of Turkmenistan directly adjacent to the Turkmen-Uzbek border. Theoretically, because there are relevant intergovernmental agreements, but no one knows what the hungry Turkmen border guard, guarding the blessed borders of his homeland, will get into his head. It may skip and wish you a safe journey, it may shoot out of fright, but most likely it will require money.

Another category of foreigners who allegedly do not need a Turkmen entry visa are honorary citizens of Turkmenistan. However, these cases are rare and not indicative. Only three holders of this honorary title are known for certain: Boris Yeltsin, Victor Sarianidi and former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. The first two have died, and the third is unlikely to travel to Turkmenistan, especially without a visa.

Ask on the Internet a question about "the most closed countries in the world." The most popular answer is North Korea, but even there citizens of Malaysia and Singapore can travel without visas. Bhutan accepts visa-free citizens of Bangladesh, India and the Maldives. And the erroneously known as "closed" Polynesian Island state Tuvalu even issues entry visas to everyone in a row (including, by the way, citizens of Turkmenistan) right at the entrance.

Turkmenistan, on the other hand, is so afraid of allowing contact between local residents and visitors that it has built a multi-billion dollar "tourist paddock" for foreigners in Avaza. The participants of the Windsurfing World Cup stage who recently visited there were delighted in in social networks: “The country is a miracle! We have never been met with such honor! The whole hotel was at our disposal! Around servants and security! They were not told that servants with guards were needed so that the guests would not disperse. And of course, there was no one else in the hotel. There is no one there now.

Bon Voyage!

Speaking about the closed nature of Turkmenistan, it would not be superfluous to list the countries where you can travel with a Turkmen passport without worrying about obtaining a visa. There are 15 such countries in the world:

Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Ecuador, Gambia, Georgia, Grenada, Haiti, Malaysia, Micronesia, Namibia, Philippines, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sri Lanka and Turkey.

Another 30 countries offer citizens of Turkmenistan to obtain a visa "on the spot" upon arrival:

Armenia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Comoros, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Madagascar, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Palau, Samoa, Seychelles, Tajikistan, East Timor, Togo, Tuvalu and Uganda.

It is clear with Turkey - as Turkmenbashi said, "one people, two states." But the rest of the countries that hospitably open their doors for the citizens of Turkmenistan cannot be called idle travel destinations that are desirable for Turkmens. Armenia, Georgia - perhaps yes, but I doubt that on beautiful beaches Micronesia or Palau has ever been set foot by a tourist from Turkmenistan. I also doubt that if you show up at the Ashgabat international Airport and inform the border guard that you are heading to Antigua and Barbuda, you will not be taken directly from the airport to the lunatic asylum.

And in general, according to the list, hardly anyone will undertake to argue that the authorities of Turkmenistan do not have their own view on the idea of ​​traveling without visas. After all, any passenger can be removed from the plane without explanation, even if he flies to Malaysia, even if he has required visa and not alone.

Turkmenistan is the most closed country in the world. The majority of Turkmens do not go anywhere (I do not mean the “golden Ashgabat youth”, who prefer traditional routes: the UAE, Turkey, Thailand). The number of tourists who have visited Turkmenistan is negligible, so much so that the exact figures are a state secret. One of the most popular tourist places- blazing gas crater in Darvaz. It is called "The Door to Hell". It doesn't say on the door whether it's an entrance or an exit.

Arslan Mammadov,
"Gundogar"

The world is full of closed and secret places. Usually such places are various bunkers, underground paths, buildings, etc. However, there are entire cities in the world, which not everyone can get into. We have collected 6 of the most closed cities in the world and invite you to get acquainted with them.

Sarov, Russia

In the USSR, the concept of a “closed city” was quite normal. For example, such cities in different time were Samara, Vladivostok and Nizhny Novgorod. However, after the collapse of the USSR, many previously closed cities lost this status. To date, the most closed and secret city is Sarov. You can enter the city only with a special pass. Sarov is surrounded by barbed wire, a trail and surveillance cameras.

Pyongyang, North Korea

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It is impossible for journalists, Americans and South Koreans to get to Pyongyang. All other people can visit Pyongyang, but only accompanied by a special group. In addition, the tourist will have to follow local rules and travel with a guide. A visa request should be made at least one and a half months before the visit.

Mecca and Medina, Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Arabian cities of Mecca and Medina are closed to non-Muslims. Only here you can get here if you are in a group of Muslim pilgrims. Within the cities there is no concept of human rights (in the European version familiar to us). By themselves, the cities of Mecca and Medina are very beautiful cities but get here ordinary tourist is simply impossible.

The city of Mecca is holy because the main shrine, the Kaaba, is located here. It is a large cube and is the center of Islam. The Prophet Muhammad himself lived and died in the city of Medina.

Mogadishu, Somalia

In the list of the most closed countries compiled by the World Policy Journal, Somalia is in second position, just behind North Korea. The most closed and dangerous city in Somalia is Magadishu. A civil war has been going on here for more than 2 decades, and the city authorities cannot take the situation under their control.