奇速英语

No one lived there until the 19th century. Back then, Afro-Colombian fishermen discovered the island while fishing in the San Bernardo area. Since the island is made up of raised seabed and coral, it provided a handy spot to rest between fishing trips. Gradually, some fishermen decided to settle there permanently. Over time, more people moved in, and the community kept growing, eventually becoming the extremely crowded place it is today.

Officially, the island measures just 0.012 square kilometers, but it is home to around 1,200 people. That makes it by far the most densely populated island in the world. Interestingly, many locals don’t fully agree with this number. They often say only around 900 people live there. Even so, that would still mean the island is hugely overpopulated. With so many people in such a small space, every corner is used for living, walking, or socializing.

There are about 115 houses packed tightly together on Santa Cruz del Islote. Because there is almost no free land left, many families have started adding second or third floors. However, this has raised concerns about safety and stability. Space is so limited that there are no proper roads, let alone cars.

As word spread about this unique crowded island, tourists began to visit out of curiosity. At first, locals felt uncomfortable with constant photography, as if they were on display. To manage this, the community decided to charge a small fee for visitors. This way, tourism could bring some benefit to the islanders. Despite the challenges—such as crowded living conditions, weekly shipments of drinking water from the mainland, and widespread poverty—most residents are happy here. For them, Santa Cruz del Islote is not just the most crowded island; it is home.