Off the northern coast of Colombia in the Gulf of Morrosquillo, there is a small, barren island called Santa Cruz del Islote. It covers about 12,000 square yards — roughly the size of two football fields.

You might not know it by looking at it, but it is the most populated island in the world.

The island was uninhabited until about 150 years ago. It was smaller back then — a remote chunk of rock less than the size of one football field. Fishermen rested on it or took refuge there during storms.

Unlike neighboring islands surrounded by mangroves, Santa Cruz del Islote was mosquito free. Soon, people began to move there. They built homes and extended the island using what they foraged from the sea, including shells, sand, tree trunks, and garbage.

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As of 2017, the island had 97 houses and 47 permanent families. The population of the island is contested. Some estimates get up to 1,200 people, but more recent estimates state there are about 500 permanent residents on the island.

Read more: yahoo