Places That Are Famous for the Strangest Reasons

Coober Pedy sits in the harsh Australian outback, and it’s known for two things: opals and dirt. It’s the opal capital of the world, but it’s the dirt that makes it truly strange. To escape the scorching desert heat, which can soar past 120 degrees, most residents live underground. Their homes, called “dugouts,” are carved into the hillsides. The town has subterranean churches, shops, and even hotels. Above ground, the landscape is dotted with ventilation shafts and piles of earth, making it look like another planet. It’s a town that literally went underground to survive.