Unconventional Places People Call Home

🗑️Manshiyat Naser in Cairo is a city permanently buried in garbage, where residents recycle and reuse trash out of necessity.

🏝️The Principality of Sealand is a self-declared nation located on a metal platform off the coast of the UK, offering a unique and isolated living experience.

⛏️Coober Pedy in Australia is a town where half the population lives underground in dug-out homes to escape extreme temperatures.

📦Hong Kong's shoebox apartments are the result of limited real estate and high demand, forcing residents to live in tiny subdivided units.

🏢Whittier, Alaska is a town located inside a single building, originally a naval base. It offers all amenities and protection from extreme weather.

How do residents of Manshiyat Naser deal with the garbage?

—Residents of Manshiyat Naser, known as the 'Zabbaleen,' sort through garbage, recycle glass and reuse plastic, making them highly efficient in managing waste.

Is the Principality of Sealand recognized as a legitimate nation?

—The Principality of Sealand's independence is not recognized by any nation, but it has its own coat of arms, passport, and political system.

Why do people choose to live in underground homes in Coober Pedy?

—The underground homes in Coober Pedy provide a predictable temperature that is easier to regulate compared to the extreme temperatures on the surface. It also originated as a mining town for opals.

Why are shoebox apartments so popular in Hong Kong?

—Shoebox apartments in Hong Kong are the result of limited available real estate and high demand. The high cost of living and the desire for affordable housing contribute to their popularity.

What are the advantages of living in Whittier, Alaska?

—Whittier offers all amenities in one building, protecting residents from extreme weather conditions. It has a close-knit community and a unique sense of unity.

00:36Humans are resilient and can adapt to living in unconventional places.

01:38Manshiyat Naser in Cairo is buried in garbage, but residents recycle and reuse trash, making them highly efficient.

03:03The Principality of Sealand is a self-declared nation on a metal platform in the ocean.

05:47Coober Pedy in Australia is a town where half the population lives underground to avoid extreme temperatures.

08:37Hong Kong's shoebox apartments are the result of limited real estate and high demand.

13:23Whittier, Alaska is an entire town located inside a single building.