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The homes of Bajau sea gypsies crowd the man-made coral atoll of Bungin Island on West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, which is often described as the most densely populated island in the world. The Bajau—a culture of fishermen and seaweed farmers spread throughout coastal communities in Southeast Asia—moved to the sandspit more than two hundred years ago from Sulawesi to be closer to their fishing grounds. According to island tradition, each couple had to build a foundation for their home out of harvested coral before they could marry. That led to a building boom that continues to expand the island, although some couples choose to live with their parents until they can afford to buy a home. About 3,400 Bajau now live on the 21-acre island, which gives it a population density of roughly 100,000 per square mile. Manhattan Island is a leafy suburb by comparison, with only around 73,000 residents per square mile.

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The homes of Bajau sea gypsies crowd the man-made coral atoll of Bungin Island on West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, which is often described as the most densely populated island in the world. The Bajau—a culture of fishermen and seaweed farmers spread throughout coastal communities in Southeast Asia—moved to the sandspit more than two hundred years ago from Sulawesi to be closer to their fishing grounds. According to island tradition, each couple had to build a foundation for their home out of harvested coral before they could marry. That led to a building boom that continues to expand the island, although some couples choose to live with their parents until they can afford to buy a home. About 3,400 Bajau now live on the 21-acre island, which gives it a population density of roughly 100,000 per square mile. Manhattan Island is a leafy suburb by comparison, with only around 73,000 residents per square mile.

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