The world’s most crowded island is only 200m long and 120m wide, with a community of 1,200 people crammed in. Santa Cruz de Islote in Colombia is located near the bustling city of Cartagena, but is a far cry from the country’s urban hubs.
In fact, it’s 2.4 acres of land, making it only marginally bigger than an average-sized football pitch. Despite this, it has shops, a school, a restaurant, a hostel, and even a medical centre there to serve its population.
The tiny islet has attracted the interest of bloggers and journalists alike.
Journalist Diego Robledo visited Santa Cruz de Islote and was shocked by how cramped life is there for locals.
He said: “Many houses have two floors because there is no room to build on the sides. Families simply add a level when they need more space.
“They use hollow bricks and cement, but the structures are quite precarious. The roofs are made of metal sheets that can withstand the tropical climate. The windows, many of them without glass, remain open all day due to the stifling heat, and you can hear absolutely everything the inhabitants say.”
In addition to a lack of privacy, there also seems to be a lack of police or any state presence.
He added: “They have a kind of neighbourhood council that decides everything and intervenes when there are conflicts.
“There are no robberies, and minor conflicts are solved among themselves. The guide told us that the neighbourhood committee acts as a mediator and is in charge of maintaining order.”
YouTuber and filmmaker Ruhi Çenet also visited the island.
He said it was “impossible to be alone on these crowded streets.”
Çenet added: “Everyone builds houses wherever they want. When they can’t find any space, they build on top of existing buildings.”