Artificial island facts for kids
An artificial island is a piece of land created by people. It is not formed by nature. These islands can be different sizes. People build them for many reasons.
Contents
History of Man-Made Islands
People have been building artificial islands for a very long time. Here are some famous examples:
- 14th century: The Aztecs built their amazing city, Tenochtitlan, on a lake. This city is now where Mexico City stands.
- 17th century: Dejima (also called Deshima) was made in the shape of a fan. It was in the bay of Nagasaki in Japan. It was used for trade during the Edo period.
- 19th century: Ellis Island was built in New York City harbor. It was a very important place for immigrants coming to the United States.
- 20th century: Kansai International Airport was built on an artificial island near Osaka, Japan. It is a major airport.
- 21st century: The Palm Jumeirah in Dubai is a famous example. Some countries, like China, have also built new artificial islands recently.
Biggest Artificial Islands
Here are some of the largest artificial islands in the world:
| # | Name | Size (km²) | Country or Emirate | What it's used for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flevopolder | 970 | Netherlands | towns, farming |
| 2 | Yas Island | 25 | Abu Dhabi | Yas Marina Circuit (a race track) |
| 3 | Palm Jebel Ali | 8 | Dubai | (planned for housing and tourism) |
| 4 | Chūbu Centrair International Airport | 6.8 | Japan | Airport |
| 5 | Palm Jumeirah | 6.5 | Dubai | housing |
| 6 | Kansai International Airport | 4 | Japan | Airport |
Rules for Artificial Islands
There are international rules about artificial islands. These rules are part of a treaty called the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
- Artificial islands are not seen as part of a harbor.
- If an artificial island is built close to a country's coast (within about 370 kilometers or 200 nautical miles), it is considered part of that country.
- However, artificial islands do not get their own special ocean zones. Natural islands usually have their own "territorial waters" or "Exclusive Economic Zone" (EEZ). Artificial islands do not get these special zones.
Gallery
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A view of Kansai International Airport from space. You can see how big it is!
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The amazing Palm Jumeirah in Dubai.
Images for kids
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The Flevopolder in the Netherlands is the largest island made from reclaimed land.
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A reef island off North Malaita.
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How an artificial island is built in the Maldives in 2019.
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Subi Reef being built by the PRC into an artificial island in May 2015.
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A closer look at the Palm Jumeirah.
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Northstar Island is an artificial island used for oil drilling in the Beaufort Sea.
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The Principality of Sealand's artificial island in the North Sea.
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Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Škrpjela) in Montenegro.
See also
In Spanish: Isla artificial para niños
