It’s a thought no one wants to entertain — yet nowadays, with news filled with escalating tensions, it’s difficult not to contemplate where you might find safety if World War III were to occur.

As we can all observe, the world is far from peaceful at the moment, and history indicates that conflicts tend to escalate, pulling more nations into the conflict.

Russia continues its assault in Ukraine, NATO frequently reports violations of airspace, China is still flexing its military might over Taiwan, the Middle East remains a volatile region, and North Korea consistently seizes opportunities to showcase its missile capabilities.

Europe has even started to issue guidelines for “survival kits,” and certain schools in Germany have been instructed to prepare students for potential wartime situations. To add to this, tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela have reached their most perilous level yet.

If the world were to plunge into a global conflict — even one involving nuclear weapons — is there anywhere that could truly provide safety?

The stark reality is that no place would be entirely immune. However, certain areas are frequently highlighted as the best options for weathering a global crisis, owing to their geography, neutrality, and seclusion.

Here are some of the safest spots around the globe, organized by continent — along with a few unexpected mentions.

New Zealand

New Zealand is essentially the ideal example of “where to escape when everything goes wrong.” Its nearest neighbor is a staggering 1,200 miles away, and it is distanced from major military hotspots. Although it collaborates with NATO, it isn’t a primary target.