An intrepid traveller who has set foot in every nation on Earth has shared a sobering list of the most squalid urban environments he has ever encountered. Drew Binsky, a popular online travel documentarian, posted a video detailing his experiences in what he ranks as the world's four dirtiest locations, shining a harsh light on extreme pollution and living conditions.
Port-au-Prince: The Most Dangerous Slum on Earth
Topping Drew Binsky's grim ranking is Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. In his video, he drives through the city's infamous Cité Soleil district, which he describes as "the most dangerous slum on earth." A local companion explains the area is entirely under the control of armed gangs, making it perilous for residents and visitors alike.
The footage reveals streets choked with refuse and towering piles of uncollected garbage. "It's getting worse and worse. They never actually remove the garbage," his companion states, painting a picture of a failing waste management system in a city grappling with profound instability.
A Global Tour of Filth: From Manila to Cairo
Beyond Haiti, Binsky identifies three other destinations that left a powerful impression due to their overwhelming pollution. The first is Tondo in the Philippines, where he immediately saw waterways filled with floating trash. He visited a community of roughly 200 families living beneath a bridge, surrounded by a landscape completely filled with rubbish.
Next on his list is Manshiyat Naser in Egypt, a settlement he calls a city "built entirely on garbage." Located just a short drive from Cairo's iconic pyramids, this town receives a staggering 14,000 tonnes of rubbish every single day. Cairo's waste collectors bring trash here to sort through, hoping to find sellable items like watches amidst the detritus. "If you could only smell this right now..." Binsky remarks in the clip.
European Shocker: A Bulgarian District Buried in Waste
The final location highlighted offers a startling contrast, proving such severe waste problems are not confined to developing nations. Binsky travelled to Stolipinovo, a district in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, home to over 70,000 people, predominantly from the Roma community.
He expressed particular shock at the scenes here, stating, "The hardest part for me being here in Stolipinovo is the trash. It is really, really bad. I've never been to a place like this within Europe. This is insane." His footage shows public spaces and streets submerged under vast quantities of unmanaged waste.
Viewer Reaction: Shock and Sadness
The video has provoked strong reactions from viewers, who shared their dismay in the comments section. One person wrote, "The diseases that must come from the garbage is unfathomable," highlighting the severe public health risks such environments create. Another added a poignant wish: "This is so sad. How I wish everyone on earth could live in a safe and clean environment."
Drew Binsky's travels, while often adventurous, here serve as a stark documentary record of the global challenges of waste management, poverty, and urban planning. His list underscores that the crisis of pollution and living conditions is a pressing issue in diverse corners of the world, from the Caribbean to the heart of Europe.
