An island in north Wales has been officially recognized and awarded as one of the best night sky locations in the world.

Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island) off the Llen Peninsula became the first site in Europe to receive the international Dark Sky Sanctuary certification.

The island, like 16 other places in the world, is considered one of the darkest places on Earth.

There are many parts of Wales that are on the dark sky list, but areas designated as nature reserves are much rarer and have stricter criteria for night sky quality.

Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island) is officially recognized as one of the best night sky locations in the world 🌌

It brings together just 16 other sites around the world ⬇️

— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) February 23, 2023

The island’s managers hope the new status will boost the island’s reputation and make Wales a “dark-sky destination” that attracts travelers who appreciate nature in its truest form.

The island, with a permanent “population” of two in winter, about 12 in summer, has few lanterns, and most of its buildings have not changed since they were built in the 19th century.

The hill protects the island from the faint light coming from within. While the beacon light, due to its constant white glow, was programmed to flash red so as not to affect the quality of the night darkness.

Without light pollution, when the sun goes down, as the locals say “Yn dywyll fel bola buwch”, “there is darkness thicker than a cow’s stomach”.

Marie Hughes, who works as a ranger on the island with her partner, says it’s a privilege and a blessing to work in a place like this.

“In a world that is getting more and more polluted in every possible way, the pristine night sky on my doorstep is still breathtaking. This means that the night is alive — the natural world does not sleep at night,” she says.

The United States has the lion’s share of areas with quality darkness. The remaining 16 regions on the list are:

• !Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park (South Africa)
• Aotea/Great Barrier Island (New Zealand)
• Niue (South Pacific)
• Pitcairn Islands (South Pacific)
• Gabriela Mistral (Chile)
• Stewart Island/Rakiura (New Zealand)
• Jump Up (Australia)
• Rainbow Bridge National Monument (Utah, USA)
• Black Gap Wildlife Management Area (Texas, USA)
• Desert Boundary Waters Canoe Area (Minnesota, USA)
• Space Camping (New Mexico, USA)
• Devils River State Natural Area, Del Norte County (Texas, USA)
• Katahdin Forest and Water National Monument (Maine, USA)
• Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge (Montana, USA)
• Massacre Rim Wildlife Exploration Area (Nevada, USA)
• Medicine Rocks State Park (Montana, USA)

Source: BBC/Guardian.