First coined in the UK in the 11th century to describe unloved patches of land outside of city walls, the term ‘no-go area’ has come to refer to places where people dare not tread. That may be because of conflict and political disputes or, increasingly, due to natural or man-made disasters.

Read on to see a selection of the most unwelcoming forbidden zones on the planet, each imbued with a deep sense of foreboding…