Artificial island

An artificial island or man-made island is constructed by people. The island was not formed by nature. Artificial islands may vary in size.

In the Japanese port of Nagasaki, the artificial island of Dejima in the 17th century

History

The creation of artificial islands has a long history, including

• 14th century: Tenochtitlan, the Aztec city in the same place as Mexico City
• 17th century: Dejima (or Deshima), created in the shape of a fan in the bay of Nagasaki during Japan's Edo period^[1]
• 19th century: Ellis Island, in the harbor of New York City
• 20th century: Kansai International Airport in Osaka^[2]
• 21st century: Palm Jumeirah in Dubai;^[3] Fiery Cross Reef, Johnson South Reef, and Mischief Reef by China

Largest artificial islands

#	Name	Size (km²)	Country or Emirate	Utilisation
1	Flevopolder	970	Netherlands	towns, agriculture
2	Yas Island	25	Abu Dhabi	Yas Marina Circuit
3	Palm Jebel Ali	8	Dubai
4	Chūbu Centrair International Airport	6.8	Japan	Airport
5	Palm Jumeirah [3]	6.5[3]	Dubai	housing
6	Kansai International Airport	4	Japan	Airport

Political status

Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea treaty (UNCLOS), artificial islands are not considered harbor works (Article 11). Such islands are part of the nearest coastal state if the island is within 200 nautical miles (370 km) (Article 56).^[4]

Artificial islands are not considered islands for purposes of having their own territorial waters or Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).^[5]

Gallery

• 
  Dejima, not allowed direct contact with nearby Nagasaki
• 
  A view of Kansai International Airport from space
• 
  Palm Jumeirah in Dubai

Related pages

• List of artificial islands