I wrote a few weeks ago on the Robinson Crusoe experience at its finest on a number of remote islands throughout the world. The islands in this post were all at one time unoccupied, but after being colonised, they all became so extensively urbanised that they finally engulfed the entire island, becoming island cities.

1. Venice: Venice, which is known around the world for its canals, is situated on an archipelago of 117 islands connected by 455 bridges. Nearly all modes of transportation in the old centre are on water or on foot, and the canals act as highways.
   
   However, the island city is gradually sinking, and at the high tides in the autumn and winter, the Piazza San Marco, the island's lowest point, completely submerges under water. The city of Venice has decreased by over 24 centimetres (9.4 inches) in the last century alone, according to new statistics. Over the past 1,000 years, it has sunk by about 7 centimetres (2.8 inches) for every century.
   
   This might have less to do with Venice sinking into her own foundations and more to do with the Adriatic Sea's rising sea levels. One suggestion is to pump water into the soil beneath the island metropolis in order to raise the city higher above sea level.
    
2. Manhattan: One of the five boroughs of New York, Manhattan is what most people see when they think of the Big Apple. The majority of New York's most popular tourist destinations are located on Manhattan, which is a city island. The term "Manhattan" (which means "island of many hills") is derived from the Lenape, who lived in the region before to the arrival of Europeans.
   
   The Dutch established a fort on Manhattan Island in 1625, which was the beginning of New York City. With 1,634,795 inhabitants in a 59.47 km2 (22.96 sq mi) area, Manhattan is one of the most densely populated island cities in the world today.
    
3. Malé: The capital and largest city in the Maldives is called Malé. On the tiny island, there are more than 100,000 people jammed together. Since there is no surrounding countryside, the entire city must house the infrastructure. Desalinated groundwater is used to supply water, and diesel generators are used to generate electricity in the city. Transported solid waste is utilised to fill lagoons on surrounding islands. This is how the nearby, bigger airport island was constructed.
    
4. Flores: The twin villages of Santa Elena and San Benito may be found on the other side of the causeway that connects Flores, which is situated on Lake Petén Itzá, to the land. The last autonomous Maya polity resisted the Spanish conquistadors here, on the island of Flores. When the Spanish launched a watercraft attack against their city, Noh Petén (meaning "City Island"), it was eventually destroyed.
   
   The proximity of Flores to the well-known Maya ruin site of Tikal is the primary draw for many tourists. The island city itself, however, is a fantastic travel destination because it is full of colonial, red-roofed houses, little cobblestone lanes, a historic church, and lots of hotels and eateries. For most, this island city is more than just a place to take off.
    
5. Nesebar: Nesebar, a wealthy island city known as the "Pearl of the Black Sea," is characterised by more than three millennia of dynamic history. The town's historic district, which is located on an island connected to the mainland by a short artificial causeway, has historically been inhabited by a number of distinct civilizations.
   
   Nesebar is reputed to have the most churches per capita and to exhibit the extensive Eastern Orthodox architectural history.
    
6. Trogir: Trogir, one of the best preserved mediaeval towns in Europe, is near to the city of Split. The charming island city's tiny mediaeval lanes reveal secret eateries and striking galleries. The village is encircled by a broad beachfront promenade that ends in a picturesque harbour where sailboats are moored. Trogir, a charming example of the fusion of Romanesque and Gothic styles, is home to the magnificent Venetian Cathedral of St. Lawrence, a town hall, and a mediaeval fortification.
    
7. Mexcaltitan: Off Mexico's Pacific coast is a little city built on an artificial island called Mexcaltitán. The town is situated low in the mangrove-lined, marshy waterways that surround it. During the rainy season, which lasts from June to October, water floods the streets and people paddle boats from one location to the next.
   
   Some academics think that Mexcaltitán may actually be the mythical Aztlán, the Aztec people's ancient home. Today, the town is primarily known for its shrimp farming, with shrimp laid out to dry on any available surface.
    
8. Isola dei Pescatori: Of the three main Borromean Islands in Lago Maggiore, Isola dei Pescatori (Fishermen's Island) is the one that is located the furthest north. It is the only island that is continuously inhabited, with a population of roughly 50. A promenade that rings the island is connected by cobblestone lanes from a narrow street that runs along its spine.
   
   The residences erected against the promenade are designed to accommodate the periodic flooding that occurs there. The primary source of revenue for the islanders is tourism, despite the fact that fishing is still a traditional industry.
    
9. Santa Cruz del Islote: Unofficially the most populous island in the world, Santa Cruz del Islote is situated off the Caribbean coast of Colombia. On a little island that is about 1 hectare in size, there are roughly 90 dwellings and 1200 people living there. Because there isn't enough room for a cemetery, the islanders bury their deceased on another island nearby. The single public area on Santa Cruz is about the size of a tennis court, so many play football on the nearby Mucura key.
    
10. Lindau: In the eastern region of Lake Constance (Bodensee), close to the intersection of the Austrian, German, and Swiss borders, is the mediaeval city of Lindau. With around 3,000 residents, the community has rail and bridge access to the mainland. The island city, which is full of mediaeval and half-timbered houses, is a very well-liked tourist destination.