.
A woman asks the captain of the ship:
- And what kind of person is there on the shore running around the fire, jumping and waving his hands at us?
Captain:
“I don’t know, but every time we pass by, he is so happy.
Joke
What is the most? According to the Guinness Book of Records, this is Bishop Rock. Its location is the south of Great Britain, it is one of 1040. There is only one lighthouse on the island and nothing more ... This list can be continued indefinitely - after all, there are a lot of undeveloped baby islands on our planet, like. Nevertheless, our rating consists of small ones with a developed tourist infrastructure and is compiled according to the information provided by the site https://www.frommers.com.
1 Caye Caulker, Belize - 6.5 sq. km
The island is located in the Caribbean Sea, 20 miles off the coast of Belize. The largest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere is located here. The population is less than 1500 inhabitants. In the past, this small fishing village with three sandy roads. Now it is a small but fascinating resort, beloved by tourists.
2 Fox Island, Alaska - 10.4 sq. km
The sheltered coves and pebbly beaches of this island off the coast of Seward provide the perfect haven for a variety of marine life. Visiting this small island, you can get acquainted with sea lions and whales.
3 Saba Island, Small Antilles- 13 sq. km
Located in the Caribbean Sea, west of Saint Martin. The population of the island is 1200 people. It has practically no beaches, but is attractive for diving enthusiasts and hiking. The landscape of the island - a dormant volcano - attracts many tourists. The best time to visit is from January to March.
4 Corvo Island, Azores -15.6 sq. km
It is part of the Azores island archipelago. Is located in Atlantic Ocean west of the coast of Portugal. Only 300 people live here. The temperate climate allows tourists to enjoy scuba diving, fishing, a variety of fresh seafood and secluded walks. all year round.
5 Sea Lion Island, Falkland Islands - 15.7 sq. km
Located in the South Atlantic Ocean. There are only seven permanent residents. But here you can see five species of penguins, killer whales, elephant seals. The favorable tourist season lasts from October to April.
6 South Bass Island, Ohio - 20.8 sq. km
Location - Lake Erie, off the northeastern shores of Ohio. The population is less than 400 people. Despite this, the island offers boating, camping. It has its own brewery and winery.
7 Little St. Simons Island, Georgia - 40.61 sq. km
Only 25 people work and live on this island, the rest are few tourists. This small island is located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Georgia, is part of the archipelago of the Golden Isles of Georgia. The landscape of the island is beautiful pristine beaches combined with a cedar forest and the cleanest coastline. The high tourist season is spring.
8 Benguerra Island, Mozambique - 55 sq. km
The second largest island in the archipelago (after the island of Bazaruto). This is the territory of the National Marine Reserve. The rarest animals live here: terns, flamingos, egrets, kingfishers, cormorants. 1.5 km east of the island is the 2nd Mile coral reef, which is recognized as one of the best for diving in Mozambique. Apart from extraordinary beauty underwater coral, the reef is home to small shark species, clown fish, conger eel and a variety of colorful tropical fish.
9 Yap (Yap), Micronesia - 101.4 sq. km
Part of the Federated States of Micronesia - southern part Pacific Ocean. This is one of the best places for diving. By the way, the island is only partly developed for tourism, and partly for the countryside. Only 1200 permanent residents live here.
10 Madeline Island, Wisconsin, USA - 109.2 sq. km
This island is the only developed island of the 22 Apostle islands. Only 300 permanent residents live here all year round. The high season for tourists is from May to October. In summer you can enjoy playing golf, kayaking or cycling, and in winter you can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
Vacation on a small island is like a trip to a small exotic country, which is lost on the world map and lives its own original life, with its own concepts of civilization and a special cultural flavor. Travel and enjoy pristine beaches, extraordinary natural landscapes and the friendliness of a few local residents.
How many islands are there in the world? Perhaps this is the most mysterious information. Although many researchers claim that there are about 500 thousand of them on planet Earth. They differ in size, distance from continents, number of inhabitants and other factors. Each of them has its own history, and some are even legendary. We offer you a selection of the smallest islands in the world that attract the attention of tourists.
Bishop Rock
The smallest built-up island in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records. It is located 6400 m west of the Scilly archipelago in Cornwall. The area of the island is only 720 sq. It is so small that only one building is located on its entire territory - a 49-meter tower of a granite lighthouse, which for several centuries saved many ships from shipwreck. From 1858 until 1992, there were keepers at the lighthouse, who had to live next door to the ever-raging sea elements. Today, Bishop Rock is very popular with tourists. Boat excursions are held to the old lighthouse and provide an opportunity for extreme sports lovers to live there for a period of one to three weeks.
How to get there: from major cities in England to the only airport on the Scilly archipelago - St. Marys, then by boat or helicopter to the island.
Tiberina (Isola Tiberina)
A small island, shaped like a ship that has run aground, is located on the Tiber River in Rome. Its area is 270 m long and 67 m wide. Any tourist can get to the island. To do this, you do not have to hire a helicopter or rent a boat, you can reach it on foot - Tiberina is connected to the capital of Italy by two ancient bridges, Fabrizio and Honor. Many legends and myths are associated with this island, which are so intertwined with official historical facts that it is already difficult to figure out where is the truth and where is fiction. Currently, the current hospital of San Giovanni di Dio, better known as Fatebenefratelli, the Pierleoni fortress tower and the Basilica of St. Bartolomeo are located on the territory of Tiberina.
How to get there: from the center of Rome on foot or by car. The island is located on the Tiber embankment, not far from the Trastevere area and the Jewish quarter.
Bay Island (Dunbar Rock)
Rumor has it that on this tiny island in Honduras more than a hundred years ago, a pirate nicknamed Blackbeard hid his treasures in Dunbar Rock. Yes, it’s so good that so far no one has been able to find this mysterious treasure. Apparently, that's why Bay was so often resold. Today, on the territory of the island, whose area does not exceed half a hectare, a three-story villa is built, surrounded by a man-made oak forest. This piece of land is especially fond of scuba diving fans who come here to watch the rich fauna and flora in clear water.
How to get there: by plane or ferry from largest cities Honduras to the island of Guanaja, then by boat to the villa.
Enough Space (Just Room Enough Island)
It is this island that is the smallest inhabited island in the world, but not officially, like Bishop Rock, but in fact. Its area is only 306 sq. m. But this was enough for the American family Sizeland, who purchased it in 1950 to plant a tree there and build a cottage with a veranda. Just Room Enough Island is part of the Thousand Islands archipelago, located on the St. Lawrence River along the border of Canada and the United States. In total, there are 1864 islands in the archipelago, the sizes of which range from 100 sq. km to land plots of about 0.1 sq. m.
How to get there: by car from the nearest Canadian cities or from any big city Western America to national park"Thousand Islands" either on public transport- Greyhound bus from Brockville or Kingston (Canada). Then by boat or pleasure boat to the island.
Fula
One of the Shetland Islands and the most remote from all the inhabited islands of Britain. Fula is located 32 km west of the neighboring island. But despite this, more than 30 people currently live on the island. They are all like one big, friendly family. Most of them make a living from fishing, sheep farming and tourism. Fula Island is very attractive for tourists, but not everyone dares to visit it because of frequent storms. In case of bad weather, it is simply not possible to leave from there. And the locals say it's one of the reasons they love living on the island. They are not even embarrassed by the fact that for food and medical care you need to sail on a boat or fly across the ocean. By the way, there is Internet and telephone communication on the island, so lovers social networks it won't be boring.
How to get there: by air from Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness or London to Shetland. Or a 12-hour ferry ride from Aberdeen and Kirkwall. Further by plane or by sea from Mainland Island to Fula Island. However, it is worth considering that flights to Fulu are not regular.
Pitcairn Islands
This two-mile inhabited island is located in the South Pacific. It will take a very long time to get to it. Therefore, not everyone dares to go on such a long journey on their own. It is known that with the opening of the Panama Canal, Pitcairn is visited 4 times a year for several hours. cruise ships. During this time, tourists have time to see the local sights and chat with the locals. There are currently 50 people living on Pitcairn, all descendants of the notorious HMS Bounty mutineers who settled the island in 1790. Of these, only 15 people are able-bodied. That is why in 2014 the Pitcairn government tried to attract new settlers to the island and launched a special program for this. However, there were very few people who wanted to live away from world centers - only one person took a chance and applied for a visa.
How to get there: From Tahiti, a 4-hour flight to Gambier Island (planes fly only once a week) and more than a day by sea from Mangareva (Gambier) Island to Pitcairn.
Atoll Suwarrow
This real island treasure, which is located in the South Pacific. And if a hidden treasure has not yet been found on Bay Island, then a chest with gold coins has already been dug up on this piece of land. But Suvorov Atoll is known not only for its treasures, in 1978 the first and so far the only one was created on its territory. national park Cook Islands, where many sea birds nest, including turquoise parrots. The atoll is a group of coral islands, which sometimes reach only a few tens of square meters and encircle two lagoons - both large and deep. The entire land area is 1.68 sq. km. This place is very popular among divers and pearl seekers. The coral island was discovered by the Russian navigator Mikhail Lazarev, who visited here on September 17, 1814. His ship, on which he discovered this piece of land, was called "Suvorov", and therefore the atoll got its name.
How to get there: from Australia, New Zealand, USA or French Polynesia to the island of Rarotonga, then with the help of the Bounty Bay research vessel or, after obtaining permission, on your own on a rented yacht.
Mont Saint Michel
The rocky island-fortress with a height of 80 m and about 950 m in circumference is located in Lower Normandy in northwestern France. Perhaps this is one of the most popular areas of land for tourists. About 3 million people visit Mont Saint-Michel every year. They are attracted to him interesting story origin and unique architecture. In addition, the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel is the fourth pilgrimage site in the West after Jerusalem, Rome and Santiago de Compostela. Twice a year it is especially crowded here: when the day of the appearance of the Archangel Michael in Monte Gargano is celebrated and on the day of the consecration of the Roman altar dedicated to the archangel. It is worth noting that this island is not only a tourist attraction and an important pilgrimage center, but also a place of residence for several dozen people.
How to get there: from the center of Paris to sightseeing bus, rental car or high-speed train from Gare Montparnasse.
Caye Chapel
The resort island, just two and a half miles long, is located 20 km off the coast of Belize in the western part of Caribbean. Despite its small size, Caye Chapelle has a private airstrip, 8 villas, apartments, bars and restaurants, an 18-hole golf course, a large pool complex and over 2 kilometers of pristine sandy beaches. The Caye Chapel Resort can accommodate a maximum of 50 guests. Although everyone who can afford it has the opportunity to relax on the island only by himself, with his family or with his cheerful company. The standard stay includes the option of exclusive rental of the entire island for 3 days or more.
How to get there: Via a 2-hour flight from the US mainland or a 10-minute flight from Belize City (BZE).
There is no way to strictly determine which of the myriad islets scattered in different parts of the world is the smallest. There are only conditional applicants for this honorary title. For example, the Guinness Book of Records names the Bishop Rock sticking out of the water in the south of Great Britain among 1040 other islands of the archipelago. There was only a lighthouse on it. Of course, in reality there are thousands of islands even smaller. This rating also includes the smallest islands with 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 the waters of Lake Erie, which belongs to US state Ohio. On its small area, a small brewery and a winery could fit, where the indigenous people of these places work. 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 in campsites.
2. Cay Caulker, Belize (6.5 sq km)
This island is located in the waters caribbean, 20 miles off the coast of Belize. It is here that the largest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere is located.
Less than 1500 people live on the island. Cay Caulker was uninhabited until the middle of the 19th century, only occasionally British ships came here to replenish water supplies or for simple repairs. But then came Mexican refugees who planted coconut palms and founded a fishing village with sandy paths, which has now become a very popular, albeit small, resort. The island has even made an airstrip, although it is still vulnerable to hurricanes.
3. Fox Island, Alaska (10.4 sq km)
This island off the coast of Seward has pebbly beaches and secluded coves so there are plenty of marine life such as whales and sea lions.
4. Saba Island, Lesser Antilles (13 sq km)
In the Caribbean, west of Saint Martin is the island of Saba, with a population of 1200 people. The best time to visit is January-March. It is called the "pristine queen of the Caribbean" for its unspoiled nature. It has practically no tourist infrastructure and places suitable for swimming. But on the other hand, this dormant volcano, which has become an island, is very attractive for divers. There is a unique marine park here.
5. Corvo Island, Azores (15.6 sq km)
In the Azores, lost in the vastness of the Atlantic, the island of Corvo is the most secluded and tiny. An atmosphere of peace and tranquility reigns on it, and the nature and green landscapes of the island, flowering hills, picturesque lakes and rocky shores delight with their pristine beauty those travelers who were able to climb into such a distance. But the name of the island, meanwhile, is translated as "island of the raven."
The mid-Atlantic has a subtropical climate, which makes it possible to go fishing, snorkeling, explore the island in detail on leisurely walks or enjoy fresh seafood almost all year round.
About 500 people live in Corva in the only village of Vila Novo do Corvo, they are all very welcoming. In a very cozy tiny town, houses are built of black stone, cobbled streets flow between them. The lifestyle here is absolutely pastoral, all the locals know each other very well. It has become an old tradition here to close houses with wooden locks, which are made by local craftsmen. Residents still use them, emphasizing their friendliness and openness.
An atoll is a coral island that partially or completely surrounds a lagoon. Atolls come in a wide variety of shapes, configurations, and sizes. Co...
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 of disputed islands (Falkland for Great Britain and Malvinas for Argentina), among which the smallest is proudly called the Sea Lion. The local waters have a very rich fauna: elephant seals, penguins, killer whales. Seven local residents keep order on the island, and the island becomes available for tourists in early October, and the season closes in April.
7. Little St. Simons, USA (40.61 sq km)
Only 25 people live and work permanently on this island, and the rest of the inhabitants are tourists. The islet is located in the waters of the Atlantic off the coast of Georgia and is part of the archipelago of the Golden Isles of Georgia. The island has pristine pure sandy beaches and pine groves. Peak tourist season falls in the spring.
8. Benguerra Island, Mozambique (55 sq km)
In the Mozambican archipelago there is the island of Benguerra, on which the national marine reserve is located. There are many different types of birds here: 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 bright coral fish live. Here, nature has formed a unique pool among the corals, which is called the "aquarium", and in which it is ideal for snorkeling.
The life rhythm of the island matches the leisurely existence of the locals, who boast a rich culture. In the north of the island, African dhows scurry on the horizon, some of which carry fishing nets, while others deliver tourists to the coral reef.
In the Mozambique Islands, located in the tropical zone, summer reigns all year round. But it is best to come here in a 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 tropical showers are shed.
The islands, which have not yet been infiltrated by cars, now provide a unique opportunity to relax without these monsters, in a laid-back, relaxed...
9. Yap, Micronesia (101.4 sq km)
This island in the South Pacific is part of Federated States Micronesia. For tourists, only part of the island is intended, 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 burden them if they respect their way of life and traditions.
The local tribe has the hardest currency in the world - stone money. And not small coins, but three-meter circles weighing several centners. The course of each coin rose if a person was personally sacrificed for it. For example, if during a sortie 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. Until now, walking along the stone paths in the thickets, you can see these huge stone treasures, thoroughly overgrown with moss.
10. Madeleine, USA (109.2 sq km)
Among the 22 islands of the Apostle Archipelago, only the Madeleine Island is inhabited. 300 people permanently live here. Best time for holidays here in May-October. In summer, you can even play golf, ride a bike or kayak, while in winter you can ski or throw snow dust on snowmobiles.
Bishop Rock is a small rock jutting out of the sea 6.5 kilometers west of the Isles of Scilly in Cornwall. The base of the stone is under water at a depth of 45 meters, the width of the protruding part is 16 meters, and the length is 46 meters. On this narrow ledge stands a lighthouse that makes Bishop Rock the smallest island to have a building, as recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records.
The rocks around the Scilly archipelago have caused many shipwrecks. When a squadron of British Navy ships led by Sir Claudesley Shavel (Cloudesley Shovel) sank here in 1707, and 2000 sailors died, the elders of Trinity House (Elder Brethren of Trinity House) (the organization responsible for navigation in British waters) decided that the lighting of Scilly , which at that time consisted of one old lighthouse on St Agnes (St Agnes), was insufficient and decided to build a lighthouse on the westernmost point of the archipelago, Bishop's Rock. 
James Walker, Trinity House's chief engineer, opposed the construction of a solid granite tower on Bishop's Rock, arguing that the stone ledge was too small and the wind and sea forces were too strong. He argued that such a tower could not withstand the tremendous power of the seas, and demonstrated that the wind pressure here sometimes exceeded 34,176 kilograms per square meter. 
Thus, in 1847 it was decided to build a lighthouse on stilts at a cost of £12,000. The first task was to drive iron piles into granite, fixed with malleable iron rods. According to the plan, the waves were supposed to pass through the piles, and not affect the massive masonry tower. In two years, the building was completed and it only remained to install the lighting apparatus. A year after the completion of the project, on the evening of February 5, 1850, before the builders had time to install the lantern, a violent storm tore down the entire building. 
James Walker shrugged off the news and this time decided to build a granite tower. It was a dangerous task, because the sea was formidable, and the island is too small. The builders had to live on a small, uninhabited island nearby, where living quarters and workshops were built for them. The men were taken to Bishop Rock only when the weather allowed. All granite was transported from the mainland to the island vault, where it was processed and counted, after which it was sent to Bishop Rock. After 7 years of difficult work, in 1858 the tower was finally completed. 
Previously, the 49-meter lighthouse was equipped with kerosene lamps, and before that with candles. On this moment there are generators and batteries, and in 1976 they even built a platform for a helicopter. Bishop Rock became autonomous in 1991 and the last lighthouse keepers left in December 1992. At the moment, the tower has ten floors and up to 4 visitors can visit it at the same time, staying here for a period of time from a week to three. 
Not far from the island, on May 7, 1875, one of the largest ship disasters in British history occurred. Due to a navigational error, the sailing steamer " Schiller» ran aground. 335 people died, only 37 people were saved.
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Notes
Links
- Online www.ostrovamira.blogspot.com
An excerpt characterizing Bishop Rock
– What am I thinking about? Prince Andrew asked with surprise.- About life, about the purpose of a person. It can't be. That's what I thought, and it saved me, you know what? freemasonry. No, you don't smile. Freemasonry is not a religious, not a ritual sect, as I thought, but Freemasonry is the best, the only expression of the best, eternal aspects of humanity. - And he began to explain to Prince Andrei Freemasonry, as he understood it.
He said that Freemasonry is the teaching of Christianity, freed from state and religious shackles; the doctrine of equality, brotherhood and love.
– Only our holy brotherhood has a real meaning in life; everything else is a dream,” said Pierre. - You understand, my friend, that outside this union everything is full of lies and untruth, and I agree with you that there is nothing left for a smart and kind person, as soon as, like you, to live out his life, trying only not to interfere with others. But assimilate our basic convictions for yourself, join our brotherhood, give yourself to us, let yourself be led, and now you will feel, as I felt, a part of this huge, invisible chain, of which the beginning is hidden in heaven, - said Pierre.
Prince Andrei, silently, looking in front of him, listened to Pierre's speech. Several times, not hearing the noise of the carriage, he asked Pierre for unheard words. From the special brilliance that lit up in the eyes of Prince Andrei, and from his silence, Pierre saw that his words were not in vain, that Prince Andrei would not interrupt him and would not laugh at his words.
They drove up to a flooded river, which they had to cross by ferry. While the carriage and horses were being installed, they went to the ferry.
Prince Andrei, leaning on the railing, silently looked along the flood shining from the setting sun.
- Well, what do you think about it? - asked Pierre, - why are you silent?
- What I think? I listened to you. All this is so, - said Prince Andrei. - But you say: join our brotherhood, and we will show you the purpose of life and the purpose of man, and the laws that govern the world. But who are we people? Why do you know everything? Why am I the only one who doesn't see what you see? You see the kingdom of goodness and truth on earth, but I do not see it.
Pierre interrupted him. Do you believe in a future life? - he asked.
- To the next life? - repeated Prince Andrei, but Pierre did not give him time to answer and took this repetition for a denial, especially since he knew the former atheistic convictions of Prince Andrei.
