This world contains some real oddities, and one of them is located in the sparsely populated and under-visited country of Turkmenistan. This region of the world that is mostly desert contains a space that has been affectionately coined as The Door to Hell. If your country is going to be known for something, you might as well go big or go home, right?

The Door to Hell is one of those spaces where people have a whole lot to say about it. Some claim it's a porthole to another, more unpleasant, universe. Others point to alien lifeforms. It's essential to separate the fact from the wild fiction. In an attempt to do just that, here are ten truths behind this one of a kind landmark.

10 It Is The Size Of A Football Field And Is The Largest Gas Reserve In The World

The Gate to Hell is no small potatoes. It is pretty significant in size, currently measuring a total area of 5,350 m2. For those needing a bit of reference here, that is roughly the size of an American football field. No wonder people can't stay away from this massive burning hole in the middle of the desert.

9 Discovered By Soviet Engineers The Gas Was Only Supposed To Burn For A Few Weeks, Yet Here We Are

The fantastic site was first discovered in 1971 by a group of Soviet engineers who thought that they had stumbled across an undiscovered oil field. They set up drilling equipment and found gas instead. The ground beneath collapsed, leaving a giant, burning crater in the Turkmenistan desert.

8 The Fires Have Been Burning For An Astounding Forty-Four Years

Once the underground gas was exposed, nearby towns were evacuated in fear of poisonous gasses being released in the atmosphere. Scientists and engineers thought that the gases would burn off in a matter of weeks, but that didn't happen. The fires in The Gates to Hell have been raging for forty-four years!

7 Surprisingly, No One Perished During The Excavation Process

To think that a drilling expedition led to the ground caving and tumbling into a hole of fire without anyone perishing is a near miracle. When the ground gave way, every single life was spared. These days, explorers and adventurers have no issue risking their lives by standing on the edge of Hell. Crazy!

6 The Name Came From The Crater's Proximity To The Town Of Derweze, Which Actually Means 'Gate'

The name given to this burning crater of gas is very fitting. Here is a barren desert, with a football-sized hole of fire sitting in the midst. One that has been burning for over four decades to boot! The crater also got its name because it is close to a village called Derweze. The word Derweze translates directly to the world gate. A double meaning, it seems.

5 This Mysterious Wonder Of The World Sits In One Of The Least Visited Counties On The Planet

There are not a ton of reasons to buy a plane ticket to the country of Turkmenistan, and it won't be hitting the list of Top Ten Travel Destinations anytime soon. It's Most people don't even know that it exists. In fact, Turkmenistan is one of the most unvisited places on the entire planet.

Related: Chernobyl and 9 Other Places Thrillseekers Should Visit

4 In 2o13 The First Man Braved The Unknown And Reached The Base Of The Crater

Looking at this burning gas lake, the last thing you would think to do is try and shimmy to the bottom of it. One man did exactly that when he ventured to the floor of the fiery hole to gather microbes. The man's name is George Kourounis, and he now gets bragging rights to something no one else has done.

3 The Nearby Town Population Was Dramatically Reduced To Protect The Tourism Industry

With not a ton going on in this small country, some eight thousand people venture out here each year, and no more, the government set to protecting its one tourism gem. Nearby town populations were shifted around to help protect tourism. Turkmenistan is known for some out there laws, though, so this is no surprise.

Related: 10 Natural Phenomena That You Need To Travel The World to See

2 Like Most Of The Country, The Door To Hell Is Surrounded By Desert

So what lies around this supposed Gateway to Hell? The short answer is not a whole lot. Turkmenistan is a notoriously barren chunk of land that has a whole lot of sand. The country is about seventy percent desert. Knowing this, it's hard to imagine, but a giant sea sat on this land some thirty million years ago.

1 Visiting The Gateway To Hell Needs A Spot On Your Travel Bucket List

While Turkmenistan is not a very popular travel destination, those seeking adventure, wonder, and a once in a lifetime experience should definitely put this spot on their travel bucket list. To see this spot up close and personal is something that all unique destination seekers should aim to do.

Next:The 10 Least-Visited Countries In Asia (& Why You Should Go)