Deep in the heart of Mozambique is a mountain called Mount Mabu. It is one of the most isolated places in the world, not just due to the savannah that surrounds it, but political tensions that prevent holidaymakers from wandering around. So isolated, in fact, that scientists only spotted it in 2005 when they saw it on Google Maps. Apparently, up until that point a dirty great mountain and surrounding jungle simply went unnoticed. In an age when everything is mapped and accounted for, this seems insane, but it's true. Obviously, the locals knew it was there the whole time, but even they don't really bother with it, leaving it undisturbed since, well, forever. In preliminary expeditions, it has been found to be home to breathtaking biodiversity, providing an ark to species that are threatened elsewhere, as well as its very own unique varieties including a new species of shrew, a pseudo-scorpion, frogs, snails, bats, catfish, and a variety of insects and plants. It's amazing what can happen when humans don't stick their noses in. Want to write for What Culture Science? Click here to find out how you could get paid to write about what you love.If you love the feeling of science in your brain bits, Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for more.
