The history of artificial islands

Russian artificial islands

In addition to the well-known modern impressions, artificial islands have also existed around the world for a long time. It dates back to prehistoric crannogs (ancient Celtic lake dwellings) in Scotland and Ireland, to the celebratory centers of South Madol in Micronesia, and to the surviving floating islands of Lake Titicaca. Tenochtitlan, the Aztec ruins in Mexico City, was a base of 250,000 people when the Spanish arrived, and is located on a natural island in Lake Texcoco. The lake is surrounded by numerous Chinampas.

Many artificial islands are built on the city's ports to provide special land that is not connected to the city, or to be sold to real estate. Otherwise, it will be difficult for artificial islands to fit in dense cities. Dejima in Edo period Japan is an example of the former. The island was built in a bay of Nagasaki and was a center for European retailers. During the lock-down policy, the Dutch could stay in Japan and conduct limited trade on Deshima, while the Japanese were not allowed to enter Deshima except for official business. Similarly, Alice Island is located in the Upper New York Bay next to New York City in the United States. It was formerly a small island and was mainly reclaimed from the sea. It was an American immigration quarantine center from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, used to isolate sick people who were refused entry. Or people with sensory impairments may flee to urban areas, thereby deterring illegal immigration. Île Notre-Dame in Montreal, Canada, was built for the 1967 Canadian World Expo and is one of the most famous artificial islands.

The Venetian Islands are located in Biscayne Bay, Miami Beach, Florida, USA. During the real estate boom in the 1920s, more and more real estate was built on the island as prices increased.