The island is actually the largest artificial island, not connected to the mainland in the world. This rare offering is a unique gem of tremendous cultural importance.

Located just 15 minutes from the danish capital the island is home to an expansive fortress which is protected under Danish Law. In recent years the island has served as hotel, conference centre and seminary.  The fortress features 200 rooms and almost 4km of hallways. The fortress itself is constructed from solid granite.

The island is currently on the market for 10 million Euros. For more information on this rare offering visit Private Islands Online.

 In 2008 some 683,000 people visited the Maldives as tourists, which is nearly double the island native population.  It has been reported that revenues from this tax will go towards the islands efforts to make the nation the first carbon neutral nation on Earth, as well as efforts to allow the nation to move en masse to higher ground with higher sea levels later this century.

I think this tax is a great idea. Although a small carbon emitter, it seems like island nations such as the Maldives are bearing the brunt of climate change. Therefore this tax seems like a measured and reasonable response to the growing threat of rising sea levels. Of course your thoughts are always appreciated.

Stanford, owned Guiana Island A 1,500 acre island that has emerged as the heart of his elaborate dealings. Antigua and Barbuda’s government obtained approval last week to seize 250 acres of the island following the charges against Stanford in February.

An official stated “Our main aim is to make sure that the lands are returned to Antigua,”  Apparently this move is in response to massive outstanding debt to local suppliers owned by the Stanford Group.

To read more visit Reuters.uk. I think this is a cautionary tale for potential island owners. Although an island may feel like “your own kingdom” it is still subject to the laws of the nation to which it belongs.

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

Tuvalu is the world’s fourth smallest country, bigger only than the Vatican City, Monaco, and Nauru.  The governement states that its people are on the front line of climate change seeing first hand the big tides, coastal erosion, and salty pools and ponds that come from rising sea levels.

Researchers suspect that their is only between 30 and 50 years to save the island. It is for this reason that Tuvalu is reaching out for help noting that wiith international aid, we could raise Tuvalu, build sea walls to protect the island from the tidal surges that are bombarding the island.

To read more about the struggle facing Tuvualu visit here.

Since the first settlers from Europe arrived in North America the islands have been inhabited and the islands have been French territory since 1763. The politics of Saint Pierre and Miquelon take place within a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic French overseas collectivity, whereby the President of the Territorial Council is the head of government, and of a multi-party system.

In the past there have been territorial disputes between Canada and France over the boundaries of the island. In 1992, an international court awarded the islands and expanded border in the sea around the islands, but only 18% of the area they requested.  New claims over the continental shelf may cause future tensions between Canada and France.  In addition there have been movements on the island for the islands to formally join Canada, however no formal referendum has been put forward.

The islands have a total population of 6,125 people with the majority living on Saint-Pierre. The official currency of the islands is the Euro however, the Canadian dollar is often widely accepted. The islands are becoming a moderatly popular tourist destination and are touted for their distinct European appeal.

I had never heard of these islands, I think its incredible that part of France, part of Europe is virtually on our doorstep. It would be interesting to pay Saint-Pierre a visit.

For more inforamtion on Saint Pierre and Miquelon visit Wikipedia or the islands official webpage.

 The islands, which are located in the North-West corner of Russia are a curiosity to both Russians and the outside world. Sitting in the white sea the islands are filled with fifteenth-century monasteries and chapels. Believed to be first settle six centuries ago by Orthodox monks who were seeking to flee the materialism of Russia’s mainland the first settlers forged a life of isolation.  The island also has a deeply sinister past. In the 1920s and 1930s hundreds of thousands were shot, starved and tortured when the islands served as a labor camp.  The people sent here were political prisoners, anyone deemed hostile to the recolution or Joseph Stalin.  Eventually the whole main island was transformed into a death factory. 

 The article offers great insight into this little known island region and if you are interested in Russian history I would recommend picking up a copy of this months Conde Nast Traveler.

A man named David Howe, was recently contacted by a genealogist in England who informed him that he was a direct descendant of the last King of the Isle of Man, who reigned about 500 years ago.

For those of you who don’t know the Isle of Man, located in the Irish Sea is a beautiful, self governing island of about 80,000.

Howe who has described the experience as surreal has proclaimed himself King of the Isle of Man. Naturally many Isle of Man residents are not happy about this proclamation and are demanding that the authorities do something about it.

Howe has stated that he is surprised by the backlash stating “I have no plans to invade.” However, Howe also admits that that this is something to enjoy and is a tribute to his ancestors.

In my opinion I think this is all in good fun. However, if I was from the Isle of Man I would be a little angry that some American was running around calling himself the King. My advice to Mr. Howe would be to appreciate and share your unique history but if you want to be King of an Island, you should probably buy one somewhere where no one else lives.

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WebUrbanists island list is a compilation of  the most intriguing islands in the world, from remote atolls, to feats of unimaginable engineering.  First on the list is the numerous island construction projects currently underway in Dubai. Dubai, recognizing that its oil wealth will only last so long is using its riches to invest in its future.  The result is an impressive array of man-made islands.  

Second on the list is Pitcairn Island. This infamous island which I have posted about several times is home to the decendents of the mutineers of the HMS Bounty and the Tahitians who accompanied them.  Today there are only 50 residents on the island all of whom speak a unique hybrid of Tahitian and English known as Pitkern.

Third on this list is Palmyra an island an island that despite its beauty has a history of pirates and murder, leading many to believe its cursed.  Also on the list is the island of Bouvet which is the most remote island in the world.   Taking the number five spot on the list is another remote group of islands known as Tristan da Cunha, which are the most remote group of islands in the world and sit almost three thousand miles from South America.  Rounding out the list at numbers six and seven are Bishops Rock, the smallest island in the world according to the Guiness Book of World Records and Nauru the smallest island nation in the world.

To read more about the seven island wonders of the world visit WebUrbanist.

Some fun facts you may not know about the Maldives:

• The Maldives is the smallest Asian country in terms of population.
• It is also the smallest predominantly Muslim nation in the world.
• The Maldives also holds the record for being the flattest country in the world.

The remarkable capital Male from the air.

The first settlers of the Maldives were believed to be Dravidian people most likely from southwest coasts of the Indian Subcontinent and the western shores of Sri Lanka. The first inhabitants of the Maldives must have arrived many millennia ago, for there is a lack of a proper myth relating the settlement of the islands.

Economy:

Not surprisingly the tourism is the Maldives largest industry accounting for more than 28% of their GDP. Fishing is the second leading industry with agriculture and manufacturing continuing to play a role in its economy. The economy has been doing well since the economic reform program of 1989 led to average growth of 7.5% a year.

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Tsunami

On December 24, 2006 the Maldives were devastated by a Tsunami following the 2004 earthquake in the Indian Ocean. The Tsunami left 108 dead, 12,000 displaced and $300 million dollars in property damage. The tallest waves reached 14 feet high resulting in six islands being destroyed and many more seriously damaged and requiring evacuation. Despite the damage being severe and the loss of life being great the Maldivian people are bouncing back. The tourist industry is recovering and the country is getting back on it’s feet.

Tsunami damage 2004

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Politics

Like most places in the world for many years The Maldives was under the authority of European colonial powers, first under the Portuguese (1558) then the Dutch (1654) then later the British (1887). In 1965, The Maldives first celebrated their independence and three years later became a republic.

After independence from Britain, the sultanate continued to operate for another three years under King Muhammad Fareed. On November 11, 1968, the monarchy was abolished and Maldivian Independence was celebrated.

In 1978 President Maumoon Adbul Gayoom came to power and is currently in his sixth term in office. Riots in 2004 have resulted in the current government pledging to expand political freedoms. However, many would consider the reform slow with many promised reforms being delayed indefinitely. However, as one commentator on a previous post has stated. “Every country has gone through what we are going through today, the struggle for democracy.”

Celebrating Independence

I have never been in the Maldives on their Independence Day but from what I hear it is a lot of fun. The highlight of the day is the official celebrations held in the evening at the Republic Square. The event begins with a march past by the National Security Service and the National Cadet Corps. This is followed by drills, traditional dances and modern drills performed by hundreds of school children in colorful attire. These events are interceded by the passing of floats and processions depicting traditional and modern themes.

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Why you should visit the Maldives!

For people in America The Maldives may seem like a big journey, but I believe its well worth the trip. The people and wonderful, the beaches are amazing and the islands are breathtaking. If you love private islands or islands in general I would highly recommend visiting the Maldives at least once. However, in my opinion its difficult to go only once.