Exploring the Most Heavily-Guarded Places on Earth

Martian Madness: Area 51

Let's face it, we've all got our fair share of secrets. However, some places are so restricted and guarded that getting in or even getting out is practically impossible. One such place is Area 51. It might be the world's most famous best-kept secret, but what do we actually know about it?

The official story states that Area 51 is a classified US Air Force facility located outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. The CIA initially used it to develop and test the U-2 reconnaissance plane. But that's not what makes it famous.

In 1989, a man named Bob Lazar claimed that he had worked at Area 51, reverse engineering a downed alien spacecraft. Since then, conspiracies and myths have surrounded the site. In 2019, 150 Americans even threatened to run past security and free the aliens they believed were being held captive. This kind of behavior is why other countries hate us.

The security measures at Area 51 are extensive. The entire area is covered by a no-fly zone, with armed guards patrolling the ground and motion sensors helping cover areas where the guards aren't present. Employees aren't even allowed to drive in; all transport is via private jets organized by air traffic control under the name Janet Airlines. The secretive existence and the refusal of the CIA to acknowledge Area 51 until 2013 only add to the enigma surrounding the place. We just don't know what they're covering up. What if all the alien chatter is just a distraction for something else?

Max Security Slammer: ADX Florence

Living life on the run can be tough, especially when you're dodging a jaywalking fine from 2008. But trust me, it's nothing compared to life in ADX Florence, the only supermax security prison in the United States.

ADX Florence, located in Fremont County, Colorado, opened in 1994 and can hold a maximum of 490 inmates. It specializes in high-profile prisoners, including the likes of the Unabomber and the Boston Marathon Bomber.

Prisoners at ADX Florence have practically no time outside of their cells. For the first three years, they have zero contact with other prisoners. Only after this period can they earn outside time through good behavior. However, the "outside" is not as glamorous as one might think. It's a heavily guarded area called the "concrete pit," which is barely large enough to walk 10 steps in a straight line. The ceilings are constructed in a way that lets in sunlight without allowing the inmates to see the sky or sun above them.

The cells at ADX Florence are extremely small, measuring only seven feet by 12 feet. The bed, desk, and chair are all made from poured concrete to prevent prisoners from causing harm to themselves or the guards. Every detail is accounted for, including motion sensors, cameras, remote-controlled steel doors, and 24/7 monitoring by officers. Escape seems impossible, especially with laser beams and attack dogs guarding the perimeter fence.

Vegetation Vault: Svalbard Global Seed Vault

Humans are resilient creatures, but we also like to plan for the worst. That's where the Svalbard Global Seed Vault comes in. It's a backup gene bank located on the Norwegian island of Svalbard, and it's working to safeguard the future of our food supply.

The vault is buried 430 feet deep in thick rock and permafrost, which helps regulate internal temperatures to below freezing. The seeds are also stored in state-of-the-art refrigeration units. Even if the cooling system fails, scientists predict it will take 200 years for the internal temperatures to rise above freezing.

The seeds themselves are stored in custom-made three-ply foil packages, with each sample consisting of 500 seeds of a particular plant. The whole facility has the capacity for 4.5 million varieties, making it a crucial resource for preserving biodiversity and protecting our food security.

Presidential Palace: The White House

When it comes to iconic American architecture, nothing beats the White House in Washington, DC. Over 1.25 million people visit the Presidential Palace each year, but don't let the unassuming facade fool you; it's heavily guarded.

Before stepping foot inside, each of the 6,000 daily visitors must give 21 days' notice for extensive background checks. The perimeter fence is over 10.5 feet tall, topped with sharp barbs covered in pressure sensors, and mounted on crash-resistant concrete. Surface-to-air missile launchers are scattered throughout the city as an additional precaution, and a radar system surveys the surroundings for signs of any threat.

Inside, the White House has rooms like the Presidential Emergency Operations Centre and the Situation Room, which double up as nuclear bunkers. It's a far cry from the chill vibes you might expect from the outside.

Diligent Defence: The Pentagon

Buildings are supposed to have four sides, right? Well, the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia, doesn't conform to that norm. As the headquarters of the US Department of Defence, it's not skimping on security.

Anyone entering the Pentagon undergoes thorough screening, and inside photography is strictly banned. Deliveries must go through a separate facility for inspection, including checking the undercarriage with mirrors and having a canine squad search for explosives. Drivers must pass through a metal detector before opening any cargo doors, and all materials are x-rayed and subjected to product-specific inspections.

The Pentagon itself features blast-resistant windows, which proved their worth during the 9/11 attacks. Each window is one and a half inches thick and can withstand significant impact. The structure is designed to withstand seismic activity, making it a fortress in its own right.

Blast-Proof Bunker: Cheyenne Mountain Complex

When it comes to securing things below ground, the Cheyenne Mountain Complex in Colorado Springs, Colorado, takes the cake. Originally built in the 1950s as a defense against Soviet bombers, it's now an impenetrable subterranean fortress.

The complex is buried under 2,000 feet of tough granite and is secured against seismic activity, nuclear explosions, and electromagnetic pulse attacks. In fact, it's built like a giant Faraday cage, which uses electromagnetism to create a defensive shield against external charges.

The Cheyenne Mountain Complex has two 3.5-foot-thick, 20-tonne blast doors capable of withstanding a 30-megatonne blast from over a mile away. The facility is completely closed off to the public and is now used as a backup training center for the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD).

Information Station: The Underground

Deep below an unassuming road in Butler County, Pennsylvania, lies The Underground, one of America's most secure storage facilities. Operated by the data management company Iron Mountain, it's a small underground city with its own fire brigade, security, and even street names.

The Underground is not just any storage facility; it houses government records, corporate documents, master recordings of famous musicians, and even Charles Darwin's will. The millions of priceless items require top-level care and security. Around 2,000 people work at The Underground every day, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

Iron Mountain also safeguards important digital data, with multiple copies stored in separate locations. The facility has a cooling system that draws water from a flooded mine to regulate the temperature, a waterproof roof, and is located in a low earthquake risk zone. Access is highly restricted, with a three-tonne steel gate and 24/7 armed guards keeping unwanted visitors out.

Protected Plane: Air Force 1

Air Force 1 is known as the code name for any aircraft carrying the President of the United States. The most common plane associated with the name is a custom-modified Boeing 747. But what makes Air Force 1 so secure?

Air Force 1 has numerous built-in defense systems that make it highly secure. It has infrared countermeasures that can redirect missile threats away from the aircraft. The plane also has deployable flares that can misguide any threat. The internal communication systems are encrypted, ensuring secure communication between the President and others on board.

Scramblers jam nearby aircraft radars to keep the president's location anonymous, and the plane is stocked with enough supplies to stay airborne for two to three days. With in-air refueling capability, Air Force 1 can theoretically stay in the air indefinitely, making it one of the most secure modes of transportation on the planet.

Cryptic Church: Vatican Apostolic Archives

The Vatican City might be the smallest country in the world, but it holds some of the biggest secrets. Inside the Vatican Apostolic Archives, a vast collection of state papers, correspondence, and other documents dating back 1,200 years is kept under tight security.

Access to the archives is extremely limited. Students, amateur historians, and reporters are automatically blacklisted, and academic scholars must be at least 75 years old and have their authorizations reviewed every six months. Even approved scholars must enter through a secret side entrance protected by the Swiss Guard and are only permitted to access three documents per day.

The Vatican Apostolic Archives are steeped in mystery and speculation. From Doomsday texts to books for summoning Satan, the possibilities have fueled wide-ranging theories. While the exact contents remain unknown, the stringent security measures and limited access add to the intrigue.

Secrets of Sealand

Sealand might be the smallest territory in the world, but it guards some very mysterious activities. Located on an offshore platform in the North Sea, Sealand is a micro-nation that claims sovereignty but isn't officially recognized as a country.

Originally built as a defense against Soviet bombers during World War II, the platform ended up in the hands of Patrick Roy Bates, who wanted to run a pirate radio station there. In 2000, a data haven called HavenCo registered its address on Sealand, offering unregulated storage for various types of data.

HavenCo mysteriously ceased operations in 2008, but Sealand continues to exist. Prince Michael of Sealand, the micronation's ruler, arranges boat trips to grant access. The piracy history and the secretive activities that once took place on Sealand make it an even more enigmatic and heavily guarded place.

Fortified Fortresses: Fort Knox

When it comes to protecting the US government's money, there's no place more secure than Fort Knox. Located in Kentucky, Fort Knox houses over half of the treasury's gold reserves, with around 147.3 million ounces of gold worth approximately $295 billion.

The security measures at Fort Knox are extensive. Guard posts are present at each corner of the perimeter, and mines and rings of razor wire encircle the area. The vault door itself is 21 inches thick and takes 100 hours to fully unlock. No single person knows all the combinations required to open the door.

Fort Knox is a fortress in every sense of the word, and its security measures are a testament to the value placed on the US government's gold reserves.

Deadly DMZ: Korean Demilitarised Zone

The Korean Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) is a 2.5-mile safety buffer that separates North and South Korea. It is one of the most heavily armed places in the world, with North Korea deploying 750,000 troops within 63 miles of the DMZ and South Korea having 450,000 troops within the same distance.

The DMZ is filled with artillery and observation posts, and tensions between the two countries remain high. The Joint Security Area, where North and South Korean forces meet face-to-face, is the only point of diplomatic engagement. American troops stationed in the area sleep in their boots in case of any sudden escalation.

The Korean DMZ serves as a constant reminder of the divide between North and South Korea and the ongoing tensions between the two nations.

Greenbrier Bunker: A Luxury Resort with a Secret

The Greenbrier is a luxury resort located in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. While the resort itself offers a range of amenities, what sets it apart is the secret underground nuclear bunker built beneath it.

During the 1950s, the US government approached the Greenbrier Resort about creating a secret emergency relocation center in case of a nuclear disaster. The bunker was built alongside the construction of the West Virginia Wing of the hotel. It featured a dormitory, kitchen, hospital, and a broadcast center designed to make it look like everyone was still in Washington.

The existence of the bunker remained a secret for 30 years, known only to the Greenbrier, Washington, and the government workers who posed as hotel employees. It was decommissioned in 1992 and is now used as a data center. The fact that a nuclear bunker was hidden beneath a luxury resort for so long is a testament to the lengths to which the government went to protect its secrets.

Fortified Fortresses: Federal Reserve Bank of New York

When it comes to securing gold reserves, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York takes the top spot. Located at 33 Liberty Street, Manhattan, the bank manages the largest and most influential gold storage reserve in the world.

The gold vault is located 80 feet below street level and houses a whopping 6,195 tonnes of gold worth around $357 billion. The vault cannot be accessed by humans. Instead, robots move pallets of gold into separate compartments, each containing gold belonging to a different account. To access a compartment, one must navigate through multiple locks and undergo strict security measures. 24-hour motion-sensitive cameras monitor the entire area.

The security measures at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York ensure the safety of not only American-owned gold but also gold belonging to the central banks of 36 foreign nations.

Risky River: Tumen River

Open bodies of water can be dangerous, but the Tumen River poses a different kind of risk. Located between North Korea and China, the river serves as a lifeline for those looking to escape the oppressive North Korean regime.

The river is heavily guarded, with soldiers instructed to shoot first and ask questions later. Barbed wire fences line most of the river, making it difficult to cross undetected. The North Korean State Security Department operates special squads to track down and arrest those who manage to escape.

While the risks are high, some escapees have made it safely to the Chinese city of Yanji, where they can enjoy a better quality of life. The Tumen River serves as a symbol of hope for those seeking freedom.

Cappuccino for John Doe: CIA Headquarters

The CIA, the US Federal Government's Intelligence Service, is an organization shrouded in secrecy. Its headquarters in Langley, Virginia, is so private that even the architects who designed it required extensive government clearance.

Access to the CIA headquarters is highly restricted. Only CIA agents are allowed inside, and they must undergo polygraph tests every three to four years to ensure national security isn't jeopardized. Even Starbucks within the headquarters has its own level of security, with baristas undergoing thorough background checks and customers requiring special security clearance to enter.

The secrecy surrounding the CIA and its headquarters only adds to its mystique.