Inside 'world's most crowded island' where residents 'have just 10 square metres each'
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Facing the crush in a jam-packed train during rush hour might leave many Brits thinking it's the most crowded place on Earth. But, believe it or not, there are spots around the globe where cramped conditions are an around-the-clock reality. Take Santa Cruz de Islote in Colombia, for example – a tiny islet where personal space is a luxury residents can scarcely afford.
Founded in the 19th century and located a mere two hours from bustling Cartagena, the islet boasts a land mass of just 2.4 acres. That's marginally larger than a football field, giving its inhabitants barely any room to move, with vehicles out of the question.
Over time, what was once a local curiosity has transformed into a worldwide attraction, drawing bloggers and reporters keen to discover life within such confined quarters. To their astonishment, they find a community complete with shops, a school, a restaurant, a hostel, and even a medical centre crammed into a space where locals have a meagre 10 square metres each.
Journalist Diego Robledo, upon visiting the compact community, was struck by the innovation he saw. He remarked: "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.".
