the Greater Nomadic Council

Gunkanjima, the Deserted Island

Via Meta Filter comes this article about Gunkanjima, a deserted Japanese island that was once a coal-mining center:

Eventually, the mines faced an end, and in 1974 the world's once most densely populated island become totally deserted. The island, after all its inhabitants departed leaving behind their belongings, became an empty shell of a city where all its people disappeared overnight, as if by some mysterious act of God.

A quick google search also turned up this photo gallery. Reminds me of the bike tour of Chernobyl.