The island with the world's highest population density has been named

By TravelWiseMar 25, 2024 22:45 PMNews
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The island of Santa Cruz del Islote. Source: Getty Images

The artificial island, located off the coast of Bolivar in Colombia, is considered the most overcrowded place in the world, with hundreds of people living on an area of just under a hectare.

There are only 97 houses in 10 blocks, all with tin roofs, and the island is so small that it is easier to walk or take a boat than to drive from one end of the island to the other, Ladbible.com writes.

The island is called Santa Cruz del Islote, and it is home to 1200 people who come from only 45 families. And it is completely car-free.

There are no police there either. But that's not a problem for the close-knit community of Santa Cruz del Islote. The island is said to be so safe that no one locks their doors, and there have never been any reported crimes.

The island with the world's highest population density has been named. Source: Getty Images
The island with the world's highest population density has been named. Source: Getty Images

However, the inhabitants follow a rather harsh and strange way of life. To begin with, the dead are buried on a neighboring island due to lack of space, and there are no toilets or sewage systems.

There is no electricity on the island, but it is supplied by a generator and two solar stations.

There is also no running water. Most islanders still use the sea, and the only way to bring drinking water is by boat from the mainland.

A single medical center takes care of the entire population, with only one nurse on duty. A doctor visits every two weeks, but if an emergency arises, everyone must band together to hire a boat to the mainland - provided the boat is available for use, of course.

Many families on the island make a living from fishing, but the people of Santa Cruz del Islote have also developed a clever way to attract tourists. Thousands of people are said to visit the island every year to swim with local wildlife, and the islanders also spread the word about the urgent need to save sea turtles.

As TravelWise reported earlier, the best island in the world with clean water and pristine beaches was named.

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