The smallest inhabited islands. The smallest inhabited islands Residential islet Caye Caulker
There is no way to strictly determine which of the myriad of islands scattered in different parts of the world is the smallest. There are only conditional contenders for this honorary title. For example, the Guinness Book of Records names Bishop Rock, which sticks out of the water in the south of Great Britain among the 1,040 other islands of the archipelago. There was only room on it for a lighthouse. Of course, in reality there are thousands of islands even smaller. This rating also includes the smallest islands that have a developed tourist infrastructure.
1. South Bass, USA (6.43 sq. km)
The smallest tourist island in the world is located in that part of Lake Erie that belongs to the American state of Ohio. on his small area could accommodate a small brewery and winery, which employ the indigenous people of these places. In total, no more than 400 people live on the island. Tourists come here not only to try local intoxicating drinks, but also to go boating on the lake and live in nature at campsites.
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2. Cay Caulker, Belize (6.5 sq. km)
This island is located in the water area Caribbean Sea, 20 miles off the coast of Belize. This is where the largest is located coral reef in the Western Hemisphere.
Less than 1,500 people live on the island. Until the mid-19th century, Cay Caulker was uninhabited, with British ships visiting only occasionally to replenish water supplies or for simple repairs. But then Mexican refugees arrived, planted coconut trees and founded a fishing village with sandy paths, which has now become a very popular, albeit small resort. The island even had an airstrip, although it remains vulnerable to hurricanes.
3. Fox Island, Alaska (10.4 sq. km)
Off the coast of Seward, this island has pebble beaches and secluded coves, so it's home to plenty of marine life like whales and sea lions.
4. Saba Island, Lesser Antilles (13 sq. km)
In the Caribbean Sea, west of Saint Martin, there is the island of Saba, whose population is 1,200 people. It is best to visit it in January-March. It is called the "untouched queen of the Caribbean" for its unspoiled nature. There is practically no tourist infrastructure and places suitable for swimming. But this dormant volcano, which has become an island, is very attractive to divers. There is a unique marine park here.
5. Corvo Island, Azores (15.6 sq. km)
Lost in the vastness of the Atlantic Azores the most secluded and tiny is the island of Corvo. There is an atmosphere of peace and tranquility, and the nature and green landscapes of the island, flowering hills, picturesque lakes and rocky shores delight those travelers who were able to climb so far with their pristine beauty. But the name of the island, meanwhile, is translated as “crow island.”
The mid-Atlantic has a subtropical climate, thanks to which almost all year round Here you can go fishing, scuba diving, explore the island in detail on leisurely walks, or enjoy fresh seafood.
On Corvo, in the only village of Vila Novo do Corvo, about 500 people live, all of them are very welcoming. In a very cozy tiny town, houses are built of black stone, with cobbled streets flowing between them. The lifestyle here is absolutely pastoral, all the locals know each other very well. It has become an ancient tradition here to lock houses with wooden locks made by local craftsmen. Residents still use them, emphasizing their friendliness and openness.
6. Sea Lion Island, Falkland Islands (15.7 sq. km)
In the Atlantic Ocean, not far from the coast of Argentina, there is a group disputed islands(Falklands for Great Britain and Malvinas for Argentina), among which the smallest bears the proud name sea lion. IN local waters very rich fauna: elephant seals, penguins, killer whales. Seven local residents keep order on the island, and the island becomes accessible to tourists in early October, and the season closes in April.
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7. Little St. Simons, USA (40.61 sq. km)
Only 25 people live and work permanently on this island, and the rest of the residents are tourists. The island is located in the Atlantic waters off the coast of Georgia and is part of the archipelago of the Golden Isles of Georgia. The island has pristine clean sandy beaches and pine groves. The peak tourist season is in spring.
8. Benguerra Island, Mozambique Islands (55 sq. km)
In the Mozambican archipelago there is the island of Benguerra, on which a national marine reserve is located. There are many of the most different types birds: flamingos, terns, kingfishers, egrets, cormorants. One and a half kilometers east of the island there is a coral reef, very popular among divers vacationing in Mozambique. Very beautiful corals grow here, clown fish, small sharks, sea bass and a variety of brightly colored coral fish live here. Here nature has formed a unique pool among the corals, which is called an “aquarium”, and is ideal for snorkeling.
The island's rhythm of life matches the leisurely existence of the locals, who boast a rich culture. In the north of the island, African dhows scurry along the horizon, some hauling fishing nets, others taking tourists to the coral reef.
On the tropical islands of Mozambique, summer reigns all year round. But it is best to come here in the dry and slightly cooler season in May-November, that is, in winter for Mozambique. But from December to January it is too hot here, and in February-March there are tropical downpours.
9. Yap, Micronesia (101.4 sq. km)
This island in the South Pacific is part of Federated States Micronesia. Only part of the island is intended for tourists, while the other is given over to agriculture. There are excellent conditions for scuba diving.
1200 people permanently live on the island - they are simple, friendly, calm, smiling people, just like on other islands. Guests do not bother them if they respect their way of life and traditions.
U local tribe The hardest currency in the world is stone money. And not small coins, but three-meter circles weighing several centners. The value of each coin rose if a person was personally sacrificed for it. For example, if during a foray to the island of Palau, where the “mint” was located, the head of the family died, then all the “hard currency” owned by his relatives rose in price. To this day, walking along stone paths in the thickets, you can see these huge stone treasures, thoroughly overgrown with moss.
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10. Madeleine, USA (109.2 sq. km)
Among the 22 islands of the Apostle archipelago, only Madeleine Island is inhabited. 300 people live here permanently. Best time for a holiday here in May-October. In the summer you can even play golf, ride a bike or kayak here, while in the winter you can ski or throw snow on snowmobiles.
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1. Arabian Peninsula, 2730 thousand km²
The largest in the world is the Arabian Peninsula, its area reaches almost three million square kilometers. Considerable size, isn't it? This square can accommodate ten Italias. But most of it is Saudi Arabia, there is still room for Yemen, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and United United Arab Emirates. Located in southwest Asia, the Arabian Peninsula is bordered by the Red and Arabian Seas, as well as the Gulf of Aden, Persian Gulf and Oman. The sun shines here tirelessly! The peninsula is rich in oil fields and natural gas.
2. West Antarctica, 2690 thousand km²
Unlike hot Arabia, West Antarctica is the coldest of the peninsulas. It is smaller in area than its hot predecessor and is one of two main regions of Antarctica that are separated by the Transarctic Mountains. This peninsula is not just cold, but very cold - most of it is covered with ice. It is interesting that although this name existed for a long time, it was documented during the International Geophysical Year - 1958.
3. Indochina, 2088 thousand km²
Let's return to Asia, to the warm sun - we move east and see the Indochina Peninsula. Its area is a little over two million square kilometers. This peninsula is washed by the Andaman and South China Seas, as well as the Gulf of Thailand, Bengal and Tonkin and the Strait of Malacca. There are many rivers here, the climate is quite humid, so rice is mostly grown here. Local states - Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Vietnam.
4. Hindustan, 2000 thousand km²
The area of Hindustan is exactly two million square kilometers and it is again located in Asia. There are only three states here - Bangladesh, Pakistan and, of course, India. Residents of these countries have access to the waters of the Indian Ocean, and the only one is the Bay of Bengal.
5. Labrador, 1600 thousand km²
For now, let's leave Asia and head to the shores North America, or rather to the shores of the Labrador Peninsula. More than one and a half million square kilometers in eastern Canada. Here you have easy access to the waters of the Atlantic, Hudson Bay and Strait, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. There are also many rivers here - Churchill, Arno, Fay, La Grande, Koksoak, Grand Balen, Petite Balen, George, Povungkituk, and many lakes. Interesting vegetation and significant fur resources - lynx, muskrat, fox.
6. Scandinavian Peninsula, 800 thousand km²
All other peninsulas on our list are significantly smaller in area than those in the first part. 800 thousand km² is the area of the Scandinavian Peninsula, which is located in northwestern Europe, where it is the largest. The peninsula contains Norway and Sweden, as well as part of Finland. It is on this peninsula that most interesting rock– The troll tongue we mentioned recently.
7. Somalia, 750 thousand km²
The Somali Peninsula is slightly smaller in size. We return to the scorching sun again - this time to Africa. Somalia is also called the Horn of Africa - it very much resembles it in its shape. This horn is washed by the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. There are several national parks and nature reserves of international importance, however, nature still suffers from depletion. Many of the animals here are endangered, and there are more reptiles in Somalia than anywhere else, with 90 of them found exclusively in the Horn of Africa.
8. Iberian Peninsula, 582 thousand km²
The Iberian or Iberian Peninsula is washed by waters Mediterranean Sea, Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic Ocean. Most The peninsula is occupied by Spain, 15% by Portugal and a tiny part belongs to France, Andorra and Great Britain. The second name appeared thanks to the Iberian people who lived in this territory before.
9. Balkan Peninsula 505 thousand km²
We remain in Europe and look at the third largest Balkan Peninsula here. Half a million square kilometers cover Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, Turkey, Romania, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is such an impressive list. And here are the Balkan Mountains, which is why the peninsula was also named. The First World War began here with the assassination of Prince Franz Ferdinand.
10. Asia Minor and Taimyr, 400 thousand km²
The last place in our top ten is shared by two large peninsulas with a roughly equal area of four hundred thousand km² - Asia Minor and Taimyr. As you may have guessed, we are back in Asia again. This place is also called Anatolia - beautiful, isn’t it? The waters here are Black, Marble, Mediterranean and Aegean seas, as well as the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits. The entire territory of the peninsula is occupied by Türkiye.
Taimyr is located in Russia, and here it is washed by the Laptev and Kara Seas. This is the territory Krasnoyarsk Territory, there are several large lakes and rivers on the peninsula. It is quite cool here, summer is short and far from the warmest. Of course, northern animals live here, adapted to such an environment. The peninsula was uninhabited for quite a long time, but later people learned to adapt to the harsh climate.
It is difficult to count all the islands on the planet. They differ in size, distance from continents and other factors. Such a piece of land can form in several ways: by separating from the earth or becoming part of solid rock ejected by an underwater volcano.
There was no life on the earth's surface during the formation of the island. Only after thousands of years did they become inhabited. Birds and winds carried the seeds of bushes and trees, and man built stone structures. Some islands have become famous throughout the world due to their favorable location and tiny size.
Bishop Rock
This is the smallest piece of land. There is one building on it. You can find the island in the county of Carnoll in the west of England. To get to it, you need to swim 6,400 meters deep into the Atlantic Ocean from the Isle of Scilly. Bishop Rock protrudes 2 meters above the ocean, and the length of one side does not exceed 16 meters.
There is only a lighthouse built on this island. Its purpose is to warn ships about the danger of landing on a reef. There is only enough room for 4 people on this piece of land. Until 1992, one worker lived here, repairing a signal building. After the lighthouse is fully automated, visitors rarely come.
You can find this group of islands on the border of the USA and Canada. An 80 km long archipelago is being formed along the St. Lawrence River. This includes 1864 islands. Some of them are UNESCO National Treasures. There are areas of all sizes here. Some of them are inhabited by people.
Officially, only land with an area of at least 1 m², which is above sea level all year round, can be considered an island. At least one tree must grow on the ground. Tourists' favorite miniature plots of land in the Thousand Islands archipelago are as follows:
Island "Heart". The romantic Boldt Castle is located here. This popular place for a wedding in the USA;
Wolf Island. This is the largest area of the archipelago. Population: 1400 people;
One Room Island. It only holds one single-story house, a tree, and two benches.
Pontikonisi
This mini continent is located in Greece. You can find it in the Kanoni area. The area of the territory is 1 hectare. Along the shore, Panticonisi is surrounded by a stone fence that prevents flooding during high tide. This popular tourist site has long been known. There are excursions to ancient monuments Greece.
The only building on the small land is the Pantokrator Monastery, built in the early 12th century. Its dilapidated walls continue to amaze tourists, and the white ornate steps along the island resemble a mouse’s tail. You can get there by ferry, which departs from Cape Kanoni 4 times a day.
A small piece of land is located in a mysterious place on Lake Bled in Slovenia. Besides fresh water it is surrounded by forests and mountains of the Julian Alps. This is the only natural island in the country and is considered the main attraction of the area. Tourists who come on vacation tend to visit these places.
You can get to the island by boat, which is offered for rent by the owners at the pier, or with a tour group on gondolas. Ships arrive at the island's embankment. From here a stone staircase stretches to the Church of the Assumption. This place is popular among honeymooners. Wedding ceremonies and other sacraments take place here.
In the 9th century, people lived on this small piece of land. This is confirmed by archaeologists who discovered household items and other traces of settlements in this area. Scientists suggest that it was a Slavic cult of pagans. Graves with human remains from the 10th century were discovered on the island.
In the middle of Lake Iseo up close Northern Italy Loretto Island is located. It administratively belongs to the Siviano district. It can only be viewed from the outside, since the land has been purchased, and new owner does not welcome tourists. Sailing around it on a boat, you can see the pier, two ancient lighthouses and a neo-Gothic castle built in 1910 by Vincenzo Richieri. The territory of Loretto is planted with coniferous trees.
Previously, monks lived on the island, but by 1580 the monastery ceased to exist. In these places there was only one hermit, Pietro, who left this land after some time. Gabriel Rosa (historian, traveler) who arrived here in the 19th century found only ruins ancient tower, a chapel destroyed over the years.
An interesting landmark of Montenegro is a miniature piece of land in the middle of the Bay of Kotor. It is located in quiet bay surrounded majestic mountains. On the territory you can see an abbey founded in the 9th century. The ancient buildings are surrounded by a stone wall. The residents of this area experienced constant tension. The island was captured and destroyed many times. In the 16th century, a Turkish pirate burned the abbey. 100 years after its restoration, the structure was again destroyed by an earthquake.
The Montenegrin landmark is famous for its art gallery, which is housed in a small church. The works of Lovro Marinov Dobrichevich, who wrote in the 15th century, are exhibited here. The mysterious island is also famous for its cypress grove. Majestic trees are planted around the cemetery, where distinguished and wealthy residents of the city of Perast are buried. Anyone can get to the island on their own by boat or with an excursion group on a boat.
A small amazing piece of land located next to the ancient city of Trakai in Lithuania. This island is located on Lake Galve. The area is considered a landmark of the city. The miniature continent holds ancient castle, which was built in the 14th century. Previously, the building was a strategic object, while Trakai was considered the center of the Main Duchy of Lithuania. Now concerts, festivals and thematic meetings take place here.
Center architectural ensemble defensive complex - the palace where Prince Vitovt lived. This building is surrounded by a massive wall, which has remained strong after centuries. You can get to the island without restrictions. You need to cross the bridge to the neighboring piece of land and go to Trakai. Possible to use water transport. Boats and boats are moored to the pier on the embankment.
Islands for sale
Small areas of land protruding above the level of oceans and seas belong to the state. They will become private property as soon as a buyer is found for them. You can buy an island in any part globe. The cost of such pleasure is calculated based on the location of the site, the distance to civilization, and the presence of buildings. For sale great amount mini islands. The following areas are considered attractive for living and working:
Sweet, British Columbia. This piece of land is located in the middle of a lake in Canada. There is a residential building and a shipyard on the territory. The island is densely covered with coniferous trees.
Alligator Caye, Belize. A tropical climate envelops this area. This green island is located near the city of Dangrit. The winding coastline is indented with bays and bays.
Lark Caye, Belize. This tropical island is located close to the mainland. It's catching here mobile connection. It can be reached by boat in 15 minutes from the Placencia pier.
Cockrouch Bay, Belize. The island is located next to the Barrier Reef. The coastline is covered with golden sand. Mangrove trees and coconut palms grow on the territory.
Tidmarsh, Nova Scotia. This area is suitable for building your own castle. Amazing miniature lands are located near the coast of Nova Scotia. The nearest city with the necessary infrastructure is Sheet Harbor.
Leader, Nova Scotia. This island is located near the city of Halifax. You can swim to it in half an hour. There are two piers built here, which are located on opposite sides of the land.
Staff, Ireland. This is a European island pristine appearance. The vegetation here grows near the shore. The crowns of majestic trees bend towards the water, creating cozy paradises. Next to it are the same small lands that the state is ready to transfer to private individuals.
Hangover, Florida, USA. Among the miniature territories presented for sale on the list, this island is the largest. Previously, there was a settlement of Indian tribes here, so the land is filled with interesting artifacts.
Isla Alhambra, Brazil. A small piece of land is a tropical dream for city dwellers. There are no buildings on the island, only dense green forests and plains.
Little Golding Cay, Bahamas. This landmass is part of the Berry Islands in the Bahamas. He is isolated from the outside world. You can only get to it by plane.
There are countless miniature islands on the planet, small and large. Land areas are gradually being inhabited by people and turning into amazing attractions. Even the smallest lands washed by the waters of oceans and lakes have names and administrative affiliations.
By definition, an island is a piece of land surrounded on all sides by water. A British law of 1861 amends this definition: only that piece of land surrounded by water on which there is room for at least one pasture where at least one sheep can graze can be considered an island.
Bishop Rock
One of the islands of the Scilly archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean falls under this definition. It's called Bishop Rock. Its dimensions are uniquely small - only 730 square meters! It is recorded in the Guinness Book of Records as “the most small island on the ground".
Belongs to Bishop Rock UK. Its entire area is occupied by a 45-meter-high lighthouse, which illuminates the sea within a radius of 20 miles. Nothing else can fit on such a limited plot of land.
The history of the lighthouse itself is very interesting. The seas around the Isles of Scilly have always been some of the most dangerous in the world. This area is the site of a busy Northern European shipping route, and an incredible number of shipwrecks have been recorded. The reasons lie in the rocks scattered around the perimeter, in the shallows and huge waves, which, accelerating in the vastness of the Atlantic, rise to a height of 35 meters! The biggest tragedy was the death in 1707 of an entire squadron of ships under the control of Admiral Cloudesley. The depths of the sea took the lives of more than 2 thousand sailors.
The question of building a lighthouse near the archipelago was first raised by the British Parliament in the mid-19th century. Unanimously, the Lords of the House of Commons decided to erect a lighthouse that could protect the passage of ships. The project was entrusted to the Trinity House pilotage corporation. The construction site was chosen in the westernmost part of the archipelago and Great Britain - the tiny island of Bishop Rock. Work began in 1847 and ended only in 1858. In total, 6 thousand tons of granite slabs were used and over £30 thousand were spent. That's why the world's most expensive lighthouse stands on the world's smallest island.
Lake Urmia is the largest in Iran. It is famous not only for its healing, bitter-salty waters, but also for the beauty of the coast and islands. There are a total of 102 islands scattered in the lake. The smallest one, “Osman’s Fist,” claims second place in the “Smallest Island in the World” category. “Fist” has an amazing shape and rises above the lake to a height of 140 meters. Its base area is less than one square kilometer. The island is uninhabited and has no vegetation. Migratory birds use it as a transit point.
The main competitor of “Osman’s Fist” is the island-cliff Baklaniy, located in the Chivyrkuisky Bay of Lake Baikal.
Its area is approximately 0.2 km sq. Northern part The island consists of rocky massifs cut by grottoes, the southern part is flatter. This favorite place cormorant nesting.
Other small islands
There are a lot of small islands in the world. The central and southern parts of the Pacific Ocean are especially rich in them. For example, in the Tuamotu archipelago in Pacific Ocean– 48 atolls with an area of up to 10 sq. km. The smallest islands of them are Tepoto South (0.6 sq km), Tekokota (0.9 sq km), Akiaki (1.3 sq km), Pinaki (1.3 sq km), Motutunga (1 ,38 km sq.), Reitoru (1.39 km sq.), Rekareka (1.6 km sq.). All of them are of coral origin, uninhabited, their flora and fauna are typical of a tropical climate.
The Galapagos Mountains include 5 islands with an area of up to 2 square kilometers. And the Marshall Islands have on their list 7 tiny islands with an area of up to 1 square km, and 3 of them are inhabited.
Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon islands and other archipelagos consist of large, small and tiny areas of land, washed on all sides by the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Which of them is the smallest is difficult to say even for experienced geographers, especially considering that there are more than 25 thousand islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Near the large island of Sulawesi (Indonesia) lies a group of Togean Islands.
The archipelago consists of 118 land fragments, most of which are no more than a kilometer in diameter! Among them local residents There are 5 “large” islands, the length of which is more than two kilometers. This world, lost far from civilization, is a paradise for romantics.
There are also small islands in the Atlantic. For example, 32 of the 36 islands in the Virgin archipelago have an average area of only 0.8 square km. Baby Montagna Clara, owned by Canary Islands, has an area of 1.33 sq. km. and is valued at 9 million euros.
IN Indian Ocean Between Australia and Indonesia are the Cocos Islands.
The archipelago consists of 27 crumbs, the total area of which is 14.3 sq. km. The largest of them are West Island (6.23 sq km) and South Island (3.63 sq km), and six have an area of less than 0.1 sq km. This is a kind of world ocean record!
Residential tiny islands
What are the most famous tiny islands in the world? There are not so few of them anymore.
70 km from Honduras ( Central America) there is the island of Dunbar Rock, the area of which is no more than 2 hectares. There is a legend that it was here that the pirate Blackbeard hid the looted treasures. Divers have long been searching for gold in sea depths near the island.
Today, on a rocky cliff stands a snow-white three-story mansion surrounded by an oak grove. The building is on the market for $1.7 million. Currently used as a hotel for tourists.
Another amazing piece of land with a diameter of 1.4 km is the island of Bled in the lake of the same name in Slovenia.
A functioning chapel of the Assumption of the Mother of God with a bell of wishes was built on a green island. They say that if you make a wish while the bell is ringing, it will definitely come true soon. The local attraction attracts thousands of travelers every year.
The island of Visovac is another surprisingly tiny but popular piece of land in the middle of the Krka River in Croatia. Its dimensions are 170 by 120 meters, that is, approximately 20 thousand square meters. In the middle of a beautiful garden there is a working monastery of the 16th century and a museum in which the main treasures of the monastery are exhibited - richest collection paintings, folk costumes and relics, including a rare copy of Aesop's Fables, one of only three in the entire world.
No less interesting is the small island of St. George in the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro. The piece of land is really tiny - only 0.0032 sq. km. In the 9th century, a Benedictine abbey was built on it. The monastery is active and closed to tourists. You cannot even land on the island by private boat.
The smallest artificial island on the planet
People, competing with Mother Nature, have learned to create artificial islands. The largest concentration of man-made landmass is in Persian Gulf, off the coast of Dubai in the UAE.
What does this World archipelago resemble? That's right: a map of the Earth. It consists of 300 islands with total area 55 km sq. Nothing connects it to the mainland - no sandbank, no bridges, no underwater tunnels. You can only get here by sea or air. The construction of the archipelago took 10 years, from 2004 to 2014. It was carried out using the most modern Norwegian and Japanese technologies. First of all, safety and environmental issues were taken into account. According to the best engineers on the planet, the islands are not threatened by floods, earthquakes, or tsunamis. They should go under water only after 1000 years. The creators of "Mir" took care of the complete preservation of flora and fauna sea waters.
Buy an island average price which is 38 million dollars, not everyone can do it, because the potential buyers were identified by the developer itself. They were sent special invitations. By the end of 2009, almost all of the land had been sold. It is planned to build here the most luxurious mansions on the planet for the elite. It will be possible to enter the islands only after a special check. The size of the elite community should not exceed 200 thousand people, including staff.