The name of the smallest island in the world. The smallest island on earth
Most small island in the world is called Bishop and is located in the south-west of Britain, the Scilly archipelago. All that is there is a lighthouse as high as a fifteen-story building. The size of the island is forty-six by sixteen meters.
The construction of a lighthouse on the smallest island began in the middle of the 19th century. Ten long years passed before the lighthouse began to illuminate these places. The first attempt was unsuccessful - the strongest waves swept the entire building. The second attempt was made four years later, but before that a project was developed, according to which it was necessary to bring huge granite blocks to the island. It took three thousand tons of building materials. A few years later, it was decided to strengthen the lighthouse, and then another three tons of plates were brought in. It turned out such a kind of nesting doll - a lighthouse inside a lighthouse. A hundred years later, electricity was extended to the lighthouse; at the end of the 20th century, a platform appeared on the roof of the building, on which a helicopter could land.
There is no more resource-intensive lighthouse on the planet than the one on Bishop Island - a 45-meter giant towering over aggressive waves.
But it pays for itself with interest, these places are more than disastrous. In the seas of Great Britain, perhaps, you will not find more dangerous place. Still alive in memories local residents legends about tragic death squadron under the control of Admiral Claudesley, which occurred at the beginning of the 18th century. When the ships "Association", "Eagle" and "Romney" crashed, more than two thousand ordinary crew members said goodbye to life.
The most interesting thing is that the disaster could have been avoided. However, a terrible price had to be paid for the admiral's snobbery. The fact is that a simple sailor, apparently well acquainted with the area, dared to show "super-impudence" and personally warn the admiral that the ships had taken the wrong course. For such disrespect for the highest rank, the poor fellow was pulled up on a yardarm ... How it all ended, we already know. And the admiral himself managed to swim ashore. However, a fisherwoman noticed him, who was unconscious, when she saw a golden ring on the man’s hand, she wanted to take it off. When she did not succeed, the young lady, without thinking twice, cut off his brush.
Since ancient times, the skeletons of Scilly have had a bad reputation - many ships sank here. Western winds raise huge waves, which, having scattered in the vastness of the Atlantic, having accumulated all the fury, fall on the outpost of the English Channel. George Bailey says: “In 1861, gigantic waves rose much higher than the lighthouse, on the granite slab of which a bell was fixed with a twenty-centimeter cast metal bracket. It was located over a hundred feet above high tide. So, the strength and height of the waves was such that a bracket from a granite slab was pulled out like a root crop from the ground. Naturally, the bell, which weighed two hundred and fifty kilograms, fell off and shattered into pieces.
And a decade after the last event, a storm arose of such strength that waves flooded the lighthouse, located at an altitude of 33 meters above sea level, with its head. Can you imagine what could happen to the ship if it were in the midst of such a manifestation of the elements?
There are cases when ships, as if in a trap, circled surrounded by rocks, but the wind literally pushed them onto the dead shore. In calm weather, the islands are almost invisible due to heavy fog. Many ships were lost off the coast, when the captains found themselves in the course of the Rennel, passing in the western part of the English Channel.
Perhaps many deaths could have been avoided if there had not been an unfortunate oversight - until the 17th century, the smallest island in the world was mapped with an error of ten miles to the north.
According to historians, 20,000 shipwrecks occurred near the southwestern part of Great Britain, where the smallest island in the world is located. While around the rest of the coastal zone of this state - 25,000. Anyone who wants can read a book that researchers Richard Larn and Clive Carter wrote in 1969. According to rough estimates, 1250 ships rest in the "cemetery of ships".
The inhabitants of Scilly hunted by robbery, for this they, knowing the peculiarity of the local weather, deceived the captains of the ships. Having tied a lit lantern to the horns of a hungry cow, they let the animal into the coastal meadow. The main thing is that the night should be dark and rainy. In the dark, the sailors mistook the lantern for a lighthouse and headed for the “cow lighthouse”. It was the last mistake in their life.
Of course, such frequent shipwrecks could not go unnoticed by the authorities, and a serious issue was considered at a meeting of the British Parliament. So it was decided to build a lighthouse. It was a disaster for the locals! Therefore, one should not be surprised at the joy that seized the population when the first built lighthouse was demolished by the waves.
As we already know, their joy was short-lived, the lighthouse was erected, and it stands to this day. The height of the lighthouse, standing on the smallest island in the world, was thirty-three meters, and the fire lit on it was visible at a distance of sixteen miles. Subsequently, the building grew somewhat and began to rise above sea level by 45 meters, and the visibility increased to 18 miles.
You can get to the lighthouse by boat or helicopter, although the latter option will be somewhat more expensive. At the moment, the lighthouse has ten floors, but not all are open to the public, but only four. The control room is located between the second and fourth floors. If you wish, you can stay at the lighthouse for a few days - if you like the violence of the elements, you will be interested there.
For more than 20 years, the lighthouse has been operating offline. There are no more guardians, now it is deserted and gloomy.
by the most small island in the world is considered Bishop Rock - Bishop Rock, located in Sicily and is a kind of barrier between the Atlantic Ocean and England. On this tiny piece of rock sticking out of the sea, a lighthouse was built, occupying its entire free area and preventing ships from colliding with the rock and running aground.
The construction of a lighthouse on the island was started in 1847, but after some time the unfinished metal structure was washed away by the waves. For the second time, the chief engineer of the project decided to create a stone lighthouse and was not mistaken. Already in 1858, the 45-meter lighthouse was completely ready to illuminate the water surface. By the way, the island even got into the Guinness Book of Records.
If we talk about inhabited islands, here Dunbar Rock (Dunbar Rock), territorially belonging to the Bay Islands in Honduras and located in the bay of Guanaja Island, approximately 70 km from the coast line, occupies the palm.
The area of the rock is almost half a hectare, but this did not prevent the creation of a unique piece of paradise here. Its current owner has built a three-story white villa on a pile of stones, which is surrounded by a small oak forest.
Now Dunbar Islet is considered to be the most mysterious island. Local legend says that a pirate named Blackbeard, who hunted in these areas, hid the treasure in the caves of the rock more than a hundred years ago. Despite the fact that Dunbar changed his owners many times, so far no one has managed to find the treasure.
Currently, the building is used as a hotel for diving and fishing enthusiasts.
It is difficult to count all the islands on the planet. They differ in size, distance from continents and other factors. Such a piece of land can form in several ways: separate from the earth or become part of a solid rock ejected by an underwater volcano.
There was no life on the earth's surface during the formation of the island. Only after thousands of years they became inhabited. Birds and winds carried the seeds of shrubs and trees, and man built stone structures. Some islands have become known to the whole world due to their favorable location and tiny size.
Bishop Rock
This is the smallest piece of land. It has one building. You can find the island in the county of Carnoulle in the west of England. To get to it, you need to swim deep into Atlantic Ocean from Isle of Scilly 6,400 meters. Bishop Rock protrudes 2 meters above the ocean, and the length of one side does not exceed 16 meters.
Only a lighthouse has been built on this island. Its purpose is to warn ships of the danger of landing on a reef. There is only enough space for 4 people on this stretch of land. Until 1992, one worker lived here, who repaired the signal building. After the full automation of the lighthouse, visitors rarely sail.
You can find this group of islands on the border of the USA and Canada. An archipelago stretching 80 km along the St. Lawrence River is being formed. This includes 1864 islands. Part of them - National treasure UNESCO. There are lots of different sizes here. Some of them are inhabited by people.
Officially, only land with an area of at least 1 m², which rises above sea level all year round, can be considered an island here. There must be at least one tree growing on the ground. Favorite miniature plots of land in the Thousand Islands archipelago are the following:
Heart Island. The romantic Boldt Castle is located here. This is a popular wedding venue in the US;
Wolf Island. This is the largest area of the archipelago. The number of inhabitants is 1400 people;
One Room Island. It accommodates only one one-story house, a tree and two benches.
Pontikonisi
This mini mainland is located in Greece. You can find it in the Kanoni area. The area of the territory is 1 hectare. Along the shore, Pantikonisi is surrounded by a stone fence that prevents flooding at high tide. This popular tourist facility has long been known. There are excursions to ancient monuments Greece.
The only building on the small land is the Pantokrator Monastery, built at the beginning of the 12th century. Its dilapidated walls continue to amaze tourists, and the white ornate steps that pass through the island resemble a mouse's tail. You can swim to it by ferry, which departs from Cape Kanoni 4 times a day.
A small piece of land is located in a mysterious place on Lake Bled in Slovenia. Apart from fresh water it is surrounded by forests and mountains of the Julian Alps. This is the only natural island in the country, which is considered the main attraction of the area. Tourists who come to rest tend to visit these places.
You can get to the island by boat, which the owners offer for rent on the pier, or with an excursion group on gondolas. Arriving ships to the embankment of the island. From here, a stone staircase stretches to the Church of the Assumption. This place is popular with honeymooners. Wedding ceremonies and other sacraments take place here.
In the 9th century, people lived on this small piece of land. This is confirmed by archaeologists who have found household items and other traces of settlements in this area. Scientists suggest that it was a Slavic cult of pagans. Graves with human remains dating back to the 10th century have been found on the island.
In the middle of Lake Iseo up close Northern Italy the island of Loretto is located. It belongs administratively to the district of Siviano. It can only be viewed from the outside, since the land has been bought out, and the new owner does not welcome tourists. Sailing around it on a boat, you can see the pier, two ancient lighthouses and a neo-Gothic castle built in 1910 by Vincenzo Riccieri. The territory of Loretto is planted with coniferous trees.
Previously, monks lived on the island, but by 1580 the monastery ceased to exist. In these places, only one hermit Pietro remained, who left this land after some time. Arrived here in the 19th century, Gabriel Rosa (historian, traveler) discovered only the ruins of an ancient tower, a chapel destroyed over the years.
An interesting attraction of Montenegro is a miniature piece of land in the middle of the Bay of Kotor. It is located in a quiet bay surrounded by majestic mountains. On the territory you can see the abbey, founded in the 9th century. Ancient buildings are surrounded by a stone wall. The inhabitants of this area experienced constant tension. The island was captured and destroyed many times. In the 16th century, a Turkish pirate burned down the abbey. 100 years after the restoration, the building was again destroyed by an earthquake.
The Montenegrin attraction is known for its art gallery, which is located in a small church. The works of Lovro Marinov Dobrichevich, who wrote in the 15th century, are exhibited here. The mysterious island is also famous for its cypress grove. Majestic trees are planted around the cemetery, where distinguished and wealthy residents of the city of Perast are buried. Anyone can get to the island on their own by boat or with an excursion group on a boat.
A small amazing piece of land is located near the ancient city of Trakai in Lithuania. This island is located on Lake Galvė. The area is considered a landmark of the city. The miniature mainland holds an ancient castle, which was built in the 14th century. Previously, the building was a strategic object, while Trakai was considered the center of the Main Duchy of Lithuania. Now there are concerts, festivals and thematic meetings.
Center architectural ensemble defensive complex - the palace where Prince Vitovt lived. This building is surrounded by a massive wall, which has retained its strength over the centuries. You can enter the island without restrictions. You need to cross the bridge to the neighboring land and go to Trakai. Possible to use water transport. Boats and boats are moored to the pier on the waterfront.
Islands for sale
Small areas of land that protrude above the level of the oceans and seas belong to the state. They will become private property as soon as a buyer is found for them. You can buy an island in any part of the world. The cost of such pleasure is calculated based on the location of the site, the distance to civilization, the presence of buildings. for sale great amount mini islands. The following areas are considered attractive for living and working:
Sweet, British Columbia. This piece of land is located in the middle of a lake in Canada. On the territory there is a residential building and a shipyard. The island is densely covered with coniferous trees.
Alligator Caye, Belize. Tropical climate envelops this area. This green island is located near the city of Dangrit. The winding coastline is indented with coves and bays.
Lark Caye, Belize. This tropical island is located close to the mainland. Here it catches mobile connection. It can be reached by boat in 15 minutes from the pier of Placencia.
Cockroach Bay, Belize. The island is located next to the Barrier Reef. Coastline covered with golden sand. Mangrove trees and coconut palms grow on the territory.
Tidmarsh, Nova Scotia. This area is suitable for building your own castle. Amazing miniature lands are located off the coast of Nova Scotia. The nearest city with the necessary infrastructure is Sheet Harbor.
Leader, Nova Scotia. This island is located near the city of Halifax. You can swim to it in half an hour. Two piers have been built here, which are located on opposite sides of the land.
Staff, Ireland. This is a pristine European island. Vegetation here grows along the coast. Crowns of majestic trees lean towards the water, creating cozy corners of paradise. Next to it are the same small lands that the state is ready to transfer to private individuals.
Hangover, Florida, USA. Among the miniature territories on the list for sale, this island is the largest. Previously, there was a settlement of Indian tribes, so the land is filled with interesting artifacts.
Isla Alhambra, Brazil. A small piece of land is a tropical dream of city dwellers. There are no buildings on the island, only dense greenery of forests and plains.
Little Golding Cay, Bahamas. This piece of land is part of the Berry Islands in the Bahamas. It is isolated from the outside world. It can only be reached by plane.
There are countless miniature islands on the planet, small and large. Land plots are gradually settled by people and turn into amazing sights. Even the smallest lands, washed by the waters of oceans and lakes, have names and administrative affiliations.
Today our story is about the smallest built-up island in the world - Bishop (Bishop Rock, Bishop Rock) (Bishop Rock), which is in the south-west of Great Britain, the Scilly archipelago. It is this island that is considered (according to the authoritative opinion and the decision of the Guinness Book of Records) to be the smallest inhabited in the world. Actually, the only thing there is a lighthouse. Such a lighthouse island with a height of 50 meters. For comparison, it's like a 15-story building. Island dimensions: 46 x 16 meters.
The lighthouse on this rock began to be built in 1847 and completed in 1858. The height of the lighthouse is 45 meters.
The first attempt to build a lighthouse on the island was made in 1847. But the building could not withstand the pressure of the local aggressive waves, and did not give light to the sea. The second - followed 4 years later and was completed in 1858. Engineer J. Walker (construction was carried out according to his project) resorted to the use of huge granite blocks (almost 3,000 tons of granite slabs were brought back then, and now there are about 6,000 tons). In 1881 (already designed by engineer J. Douglas), they decided to strengthen the lighthouse and built fortifications around it. It turned out that the old lighthouse went for breakfast to the new one (a lighthouse in a lighthouse). Already in the second half of the last century, electricity appeared at the lighthouse. And a heliport was built on the roof (1976). The lighthouse on Bishop boasts that it is not only the most difficult to build, but also the most "resource-intensive" lighthouse in the history of mankind.
All the waters around the Isles of Scilly are not without reason considered the most dangerous in the seas of Great Britain. There are many references to shipwrecks in these areas. One of the most tragic was the collapse of an entire squadron, which was controlled by Admiral Claudesley (1707). Then on the ships "Association", "Eagle" and "Romney" more than 2 thousand sailors died.
The Isles of Scilly are located on one of northern Europe's busiest shipping lanes.
Since ancient times, these islands have been a place of constant shipwrecks. When the westerly winds blow, huge ocean waves, scattering across the 3,000-mile-wide Atlantic, crash with fury on this outpost of the English Channel. The power of these waves is amazing. George Bailey, captain of the Trinity House Lighthouse and Pilot Corporation, wrote: “In the winter of 1861, the misty bell of Bishop Rock Lighthouse in the Isles of Scilly, fastened to a granite gallery by a 4-inch-thick cast bracket at a height of 100 feet above high tide, was torn down. Giant waves threw their foaming crests many feet above the lantern. Once, rolling away, they pulled out a cast bracket like a carrot from the ground: the bell fell down onto a rock and broke into pieces. It weighed a quarter of a ton."
In 1870, during a storm, waves flooded the top of the lighthouse all morning. And its height was then 33 m above sea level! One can imagine the situation sailing ship, caught among such waves near these islands.
Eastern and north winds not inferior in strength to the Western one. There were times when sailing ships for many days they tried to escape from the encirclement of the underwater rocks of Scilly, but the west wind still carried them to the shore, where they died. When there is no wind, the islands are usually covered in fog. Most of the shipwrecks here have occurred and occur during the fog. Many captains have lost their ships in the Rennell, which runs north at the western entrance to the English Channel at one knot.
By an evil irony of fate, this "trap of ships" until the beginning of the 17th century was mapped 10 miles north of their actual location. This is one of the reasons that the Scilly turned out to be a "ship graveyard".
English historians Richard Larn and Clive Carter, in their book The Cornish Shipwrecks, published in London in 1969, recorded about 20,000 shipwrecks around the southwestern tip of England alone, and about 25,000 around all the islands of Britain. Larne counted 1250 ships that found their grave off these islands. Many disasters in this "cemetery of ships" have not yet been recorded.
How did the people of Scilly manage to lure passing ships onto the rocks of the islands? Knowing well the approach fairways and the location of underwater rocks, they chose a rainy dark night, tied a lit lantern to the horns of a hungry cow and let it graze in a certain place on the coastal meadow. The cow walked, nibbled on the grass, and the sailors, who were near scary islands, mistook the "cow lighthouse" for the fire of a ship swinging at anchor in a quiet harbor. They headed for this fire and soon found themselves on the stones. This is where the robbery began!
By the middle of the 19th century, the issue of frequent shipwrecks off the coast of Scilly and Wolf Rock had become so serious that it was discussed in the House of Commons of the British Parliament. The latter ordered the country's lighthouse and pilot corporation Trinity House to build a lighthouse on the westernmost tip of the islands, on Bishop Rock. For the locals, it was a disaster.
However, a lighthouse on Bishop Rock was built. It was an engineering triumph of the Victorian era. But to the delight of the inhabitants of the Isles of Scilly, the first lighthouse of iron construction was once washed away by a storm.
In 1858, 10 years after the start of work, the lighthouse was nevertheless erected. Its height was 33 meters, and the fire was visible for 16 miles. In 1880, the lighthouse was lined with granite, the height of the tower was increased to 45 meters, and sailors began to see its fire for 18 miles.
If you are already in the Scilly archipelago, then getting to Bishop is not such a problem. Boats and even a helicopter are at your service (the option will be more expensive). The lighthouse has 10 floors, but only four can be visited. On the third is the control room. For lovers, there is an option to stay at the lighthouse for a week. Storm lovers will love it here.
The catastrophe of 1707 might not have happened. One of the sailors (a native of these places) personally warned the admiral that the ships were on the wrong course. For such “super impudence” (to indicate to the admiral himself), the sailor was hung on a yardarm ... Then Admiral Claudesley suffered a not sweet fate. He managed to swim ashore. When he was unconscious, a fisherwoman noticed him and wanted to take it off. Golden ring. After a few failed attempts she chopped off the admiral's whole brush ...
In May 1875, there was a major shipwreck near Bishop Island. The sailing ship Schiller, due to incorrect navigational calculations, ran aground. More than 300 people died.
If you believe the records of one sailor, then in 1870, during a severe storm, water flooded ... the top of the lighthouse (then its height was 33 meters)! I wouldn't want to be there in such bad weather...
Since 1992, the lighting of the lighthouse has been switched to automatic mode. It no longer has "keepers". So it's deserted and scary inside.
And here is another lighthouse
The latest: the fourth 49-meter Eddyston lighthouse, next to which - and the remains of its predecessors, has been shining for 128 years.
The famous Eddyston Lighthouse, first lit 312 years ago, still warns ships of dangerous places.
Pence per ton
The English Channel, near the port of Plymouth, is full of rocks. Until the lighthouse was installed, here annually, as it is written in the chronicles, fifty ships crashed.
Local brewer and entrepreneur Henry Winstanley (1644-1703) had a penchant for mechanics and architecture. He was the first to volunteer at his own expense to build a sea lighthouse on the rocks of Eddystone Reef. Two of his own ships were wrecked here. In addition, according to the laws of the time, the owner of the lighthouse could charge ships at a penny per ton. Shipping in this place was intense.
The construction of a lighthouse on one of the rocks at low tide was carried out in the summer of 1696. Work had already progressed when French privateers (pirates supported by the authorities) captured the builders of the lighthouse, among them H. Winstanley. The French king Louis XIV ordered the release of the prisoners, saying that "France is at war with England, but not with humanity." This is how he assessed the international significance of the Eddyston Lighthouse.
Fought the storms
The light on the new lighthouse was lit on the evening of November 14, 1698. It was an octagonal wooden tower with many parts. Many believed that the colorful lighthouse would not withstand Atlantic storms.
In the autumn of 1703, a storm significantly battered the lighthouse. When H. Winstanli and the workers arrived to repair the lighthouse, the elements destroyed it to the ground, and along with it carried people into the depths of the sea.
Soon an English warship hit the Eddystone Reef and sank. The English Parliament decided that the lighthouse needed to be restored. The silk merchant John Rudierd took up this task. He installed a 25-meter narrow wooden tower with a lantern on one of the many rocks. The streamlined tower withstood gusts of wind and waves better. She stood for 47 years. One night, the lighthouse burned to the ground due to the caretaker's negligence.
The young engineer John Smeaton was asked to build the third Eddyston Lighthouse. He designed the lighthouse tower with a conical shape. According to special drawings, granite and cement blocks were made, and large reserves of stones were accumulated. The construction of the lighthouse lasted only 112 days. The lighthouse was put into operation in the autumn of 1759 and stood for 120 years. A cave was formed in the rock under the influence of the Atlantic waters.
A larger rock was chosen for the construction of the fourth Eddyston Lighthouse. It was almost constantly flooded with waves. Designed by engineer James Douglas, Eddyston Lighthouse is the tallest built on reef rocks.
Having started operating in 1882, it has been serving sailors ever since. The lighthouse has been improved many times. The tower remained the same, only at the top it was equipped Helipad.
Bishop's Rock is a small rocky outcrop jutting out of the sea, 4 miles west of the Isles of Scilly in Cornwall. The rock rises from a depth of 45 meters, revealing an island 46 meters long by 16 meters wide. A lighthouse is built on it, which makes Bishop the smallest island in the world with a building on it, which was recorded by the Guinness Book of Records.
The rocks around the Isles of Scilly have caused many shipwrecks over the years. In 1707, a squadron of the British Navy sank here along with 2,000 sailors, and it was decided to build a lighthouse. It was decided to build a lighthouse on the westernmost point of the islands, Bishop's Rock.
Engineer James Walker was opposed to building a massive granite tower on the island, arguing that the mountain ledge was too small for such a lighthouse. He argued that such a tower would not withstand the enormous force of the seas, demonstrating that the wind speeds here sometimes exceeded the allowable norms. 
So in 1847 it was decided to install a cast iron lighthouse with a spiral staircase at a cost of £12,000. The first task was to reinforce the cast iron bases into solid granite with long wrought iron rods. Within two years the structure was completed and all that was required was a lighting apparatus. But before the lighting equipment was installed, a massive storm swept away the entire structure on the evening of February 5th, 1850. 
James Walker then returned to the idea of a granite tower. It was a dangerous task, because the sea here is very rough and the island is too small. The workers were settled in a housing on a small neighboring uninhabited island, where living quarters and workshops were installed. When the weather allowed, builders were taken to Bishop Rock. All granite was brought from the mainland, where it was shaped and numbered before being shipped to the island. After seven years of labor, the tower was finally completed in 1858. 
In the old days, the 49-meter lighthouse used kerosene lamps. Today, generators and batteries are in operation, and a helipad was created in 1976. Bishop Island was switched to automatic operation in 1991, and the last keepers left the lighthouse in December 1992. Today, the lighthouse has ten floors, and up to four visitors can stay here for up to three weeks.
Since Bishop was recognized as the smallest island, for comparison, you can look at the largest islands, which are dedicated to a separate photo tape.
