To the end of the (Google) world

Sometimes Google's Street View vehicles just can't go any farther. The Atlantic's Alan Taylor took a pictorial look at the reasons why.

Google Street View has ways of getting places. There are its fleet of cars, its tricycles for places without roads, SCUBA divers for the ocean and even user-generated content.

Nevertheless, there's always, inevitably, an end to the road. Naturally, sometimes this is because the land just plumb runs out. But there are a number of other reasons why Google's cameras have not been able to proceed, from the natural to the man made.

Kīlauea volcano in the Kahaualea Natural Area Reserve on Hawaii's southernmost island is one of the world's most active volcanoes, boasting 61 eruptions since 1823. Its current eruption has been ongoing since 1983, and has produced 3.5 cubic kilometres of lava. We can't help but feel that a road in this area was not the best idea.

It looks unassuming, but the Frontier Closed Area, designed to prevent illegal immigration from China into Hong Kong, is closely guarded and controlled. Visitors are not allowed through without a permit.

Midway Atoll, true to its name, is in a remote location in the North Pacific Ocean about midway between North America and Asia. Although it's officially a US territory, it is both unorganised and unincorporated. It's a wildlife preserve and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Quite aside from its remote location and limited outside access (permits are required), it should be quite obvious why Google Street View could not travel any farther along this jetty.

Maybe Google Street View should get itself some boats. Just sayin'.

Route 86 between Bulgaria and Greece splits at about 200 metres or so from the border. Take the left fork and you'll run into a dead end — likely from a landslide.

Check out the rest of The Atlantic's gallery here.