Author: Eric Grundhauser / Source: Atlas Obscura
On Monday, in honor of Islands Week, we asked Atlas Obscura readers to draw us a picture of their personal fantasy islands, and boy did they deliver! We received submissions from readers young and old, all full of fun and creative details.
Entries included islands full of cats (there were several of those, in fact), political strongholds, simple sandbar paradises, intricate hidden bases, guinea pig sanctuaries, and poetic dreamscapes. Above, reader Lori Wike drew us her vision for what she calls Elsinore Heron Isle: “The Elsinore Heron is a Danish bird, known for indecisiveness. The isle’s rocky palindrome shoreline warns of tidal dangers. Plus: a kayak.” Pretty cool, Lori.
While we couldn’t include all of the fantasy island maps we received, we’ve compiled our favorites below. Thanks to everyone who participated, and keep those island dreams alive!
I thought about islands as a place to escape to and as safe havens in the middle of dangerous seas. That brought me to thinking about migrants and asylum seekers trying to cross the Mediterranean and I ended up drawing this: Isola di Benvenuto, or “Welcome Island.”
Situated in the middle of the Med, it’s an island where migrants can stop on their way to the European mainland for a while where they are guaranteed safety and comfort. It has facilities for harboring and repairing boats, medical facilities, clean accommodation, educational facilities (I’m an English teacher, so I’m always thinking about that!
), offices to help with visas and bureaucracy, and lush gardens that act as peaceful, serene spaces.—James Clayton, Manchester, England
My girlfriend loves cats and when I saw your article about imagining a fantasy island, the first thing I thought of was an island filled with countless happy, carefree cats. Partly inspired by those strange rocky islands you see covered with sea birds, I thought how strange it would be if they were cats instead!—Evan Clark, Los Angeles, California
The North coast would consist of a tall cliff to act as a wind-break. The home would consist of a Quonset hut with glass ends with doors at each end. There would be solar panels covering the entire Southern walls except for the thin windows. I would also have a fairly large garden for fresh veggies and fruits.—Alan Rogers
Welcome to the Pirate Nebula, a communist nation comprised of multiple small states, each with a speciality and industry. I’ve been working on the Pirate Nebula maps since I was 8 and…
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