The Guiness 14

While doing some research on the guano industry in the 1800s, I came across the Guinness 14. Apparently, after an OCD-suffering lunatic travels to all 317 nations and territories of the Travelers' Century Club, he (and it's always a he) will then have to travel to the Guinness 14. These are 14 places that are so difficult to reach, no one has reached more than 12 of the 14 locations. Just what and where are these 14 elusive sites?

1. Ashmore & Cartier Islands Territory (Australia). Conveniently located between Australia and Indonesia. Favorite drop-off point for smugglers of asylum seekers and refugees since it is officially Australian territory.

2. Bouvet Island (Norway). The most remote island in the world. The closest land is Antarctica, 1000 miles away.

3. Clipperton Island (France). Off of Mexico's Pacific coast. Who knew?

4. The Coral Sea Islands Territory (Australia). Outside the Great Barrier Reef.

5. Franz Josep Land (Russia). Eurasia's northernmost islands.

6. Golan Heights (Israel and Syria). Only place most people have heard of before.

7. Heard & McDonald Islands (Australia). Halfway between Oz and South Africa. Has Australia's highest mountain.

8. Howland, Baker & Jarvis Islands (U.S.). Amelia Earhart disappeared just before reaching Howland Island.

9. Kingman Reef (U.S.). Halfway between Hawaii and American Samoa.

10. Paracel Islands (Vietnam, China, Taiwan). It's got fish, oil, and gas so there will be a fight.

11. Peter I Island (Norway). Off the Antarctic coast.

12. South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands (U.K.). Of Shackleton fame.

13. The Sovereign Military Order of Malta. It's in Rome and claims sovereignty. A relic of the Crusades.

14. Spratly Islands (China, Vietnam, Taiwan). Again, plenty of fish, oil, and gas found here.

CKY