Santa Cruz del Islote is a small island located in the archipelago of San Bernardo. It is known to be the most populated island in the world compared to its surface: 700 inhabitants on less than 1 hectare! Here, one is obliged to cross the houses of his neighbors to circulate from one side to the other of the island... There are about a hundred houses, where 18 families live, as well as a school, a restaurant - which serves as a port - and a small square with a cross in the middle (hence the name of Sainte-Croix de l'îlot). The first inhabitants fled from the much larger neighboring island, because it was infested with mosquitoes, to take refuge on a piece of coral. Here, no mosquitoes, but no fresh water either... The islet was extended little by little to face the demographic growth, by accumulating shells, corals, wood and plastic garbage brought by the sea. We try to gain space as we can. It is a world apart, where the Afro-Colombian inhabitants live from fishing and tourism on the neighboring islands, like Múcura. The poverty is obvious, but few inhabitants wish to join the continent. The solidarity and the good mood are palpable. It is possible to stay at the inhabitant's house on the island, and you will have no problem to find an accomodation, because here everybody knows each other. You will just have to get used to the promiscuity! Take a gallon of water with you no matter what. Colombian filmmaker Marcela Lizcano directed Aislados in 2015, a beautiful documentary about the islet and its inhabitants.

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