Life in one of the world's strangest 'social wonders'

Nobody wants to leave here, there's no crime, no cars, and therefore, no fear of traffic accidents.

Santa Cruz del Islote – an island only the size of two football fields, yet home to over 1,200 people. Photo: OC

Santa Cruz del Islote – a tiny island in Colombia's San Bernardino archipelago – is only about the size of two football fields, yet it is home to over 1,200 people. Incredibly small, it has become one of the world's most unusual "social wonders."

According to Oddity Central (UK), what's remarkable is that this most densely populated island in the world was completely uninhabited until the 19th century. At that time, African fishermen from Colombia began flocking to the waters around San Bernardo to make a living. Santa Cruz del Islote – formed from a raised seabed interspersed with coral – quickly became a convenient refuge, allowing them to stay at sea longer and venture further out. Initially just a temporary stopover, over the years, the small island gradually attracted people, and over several centuries, a large community formed in the cramped, suffocating space it is today.

Administratively, Santa Cruz del Islote covers a mere 0.012 square kilometers, yet boasts a population of approximately 1,200, far surpassing any other island and holding the title of the most densely populated island in the world. Many locals are not particularly enthusiastic about this title, believing the actual population is only around 900. But whether it's 900 or 1,200, that's still a density that sounds overwhelming to outsiders.

On that modest area, there are currently about 115 houses – almost the maximum number that can be built. When there is no more space on the land to expand, people are forced to find ways to build higher. As a result, the houses are increasingly stacked and built close together, leading to constant concerns about the safety and future of these structures "growing vertically" in the middle of the ocean.

Its growing reputation attracted tourists. When Santa Cruz del Islote became known as the "world's most populous island," many wanted to witness its unique way of life firsthand. However, the locals refused to be filmed or photographed like hamsters in cramped cages. Therefore, they decided to charge visitors a fee – at least to provide the community with a tangible source of income.

For many, living on a tiny, cramped island is unimaginable. Fresh water has to be transported from the mainland every week, and poverty remains a persistent problem. Yet, the residents of Santa Cruz del Islote insist they don't want to leave. There's no crime, no cars, and therefore, no fear of traffic accidents.

Amidst cramped spaces, shortages, and seemingly suffocating limitations, Santa Cruz del Islote exists as a vibrant paradox: a place so small it's almost suffocating, yet safe, peaceful, and cohesive enough to hold people together for generations.

According to VNA

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/cuoc-life-in-one-of-the-places-considered-the-most-extraordinary-social-wonders-in-the-world-a470377.html