Venice Is Built on 118 Islands

Venice isn"t the only city built on water - but certainly the most famous. 118 small islands connected by 400 bridges and 150 canals. The city was built on wooden poles driven into the lagoon marsh. Millions of oak and beech trees were hammered into the mud, buildings constructed on top. Wood submerged underwater doesn"t rot - still solid after 1000 years. Cars are banned. Transportation is entirely on foot, boat, or gondola. 400 gondoliers still work actively today, the profession passing from father to son. The city sinks 1-2 mm yearly. If sea levels rise by 2100, Venice could become history. Source: UNESCO World Heritage