CLOSE QUARTERS: Tiny Caribbean island the size of two football pitches and home to 1,200 people lays claim to be the world’s most crowded islet

By Phoebe Cooke From The Sun UK

The photographs portray life on the densely populated island off Colombia

AN ASTONISHING set of photos show the vibrancy of the most crowded island on earth.

The 1,200 residents on the Caribbean islet of Santa Cruz del Islote live on a space as big as just two football pitches that lies a two-hour boat ride off the coast of Colombia.

Santa Cruz del Islote is located off the coast of Colombia in the CaribbeanCHARLIE CORDERO

They rely on the mainland and neighbouring islands to use everything from schools to leisure sites and cemeteries.

The stunning snaps provide a snapshot into the lives of the islanders, who exist in a tight-knit community of 45 families living in 97 houses.

Profiles emerge of those who live there – such as Lucero, 29, one of the best stylists on the island.

She spends most of her time helping other girls from the island with their haircuts and braids.

Inhabitants of the island celebrating the day of the Virgen del CarmenCHARLIE CORDERO

A group of kids celebrate the first birthday of Juan Manuel in the streetCHARLIE CORDERO

A child dives into the water to cool off as another lies on the island’s shoreCHARLIE CORDERO

Stunning photos provide a snapshot into the lives of the 45 families of islanders

A young girl and her friends show off their dramatically different hairstyles

Some shots give an insight into the island’s poverty
The inhabitants colourful clothing is a common theme in the photosCHARLIE CORDERO PHOTOGRAPHY

A keen viewer looks down on proceedingsCHARLIE CORDERO PHOTOGRAPHY

One boy cools himself off with seawaterCHARLIE CORDERO PHOTOGRAPHY

Extravagant haircuts are commonplace on the islandCHARLIE CORDERO PHOTOGRAPHY

Other shots give an insight into the island’s poverty – the ridged tin roofs crammed next to each other, a tiny yard for children to play football, a minuscule bedroom made of unfinished brickwork.

But the photos also capture the liveliness of an island where young people make up 65 per cent of the population.

Shots show youngsters on a boat to school, or teenagers drinking and dancing at parties that last up to two or three days.

The vast range of hairdos are shown in one beautiful portrait, where a girl stares at the camera surrounded by her friends – all with dramatically different hairstyles.

The photographer draws most of all on colour – from the brightly painted homes to the islanders’ eye-poppingly bright clothes and range of hair dos.

Four photos depict the brightness of residents’ clothes by snapping just their clothed bodies against the painted background of walls and buildings.

There’s a sense of joyful simplicity in the life portrayed in the photos – be it in kids jumping into the ocean, two roosters in training or a sopping wet fish – referencing the island’s thriving fishing industry.

For more on this story go to: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/5520831/tiny-crowded-island-colombia-caribbean-santa-cruz-del-islote/