Picture 7: artificial islands (link to Funafou) Lau Lagoon is famous for its man-made islands. These settlements are built by manually hauling and piling up coral rocks on shallow reefs or in the mangroves, often more than 3 m high. There are around 55 artificial islands in the lagoon. Over the past century many people have left the artificial islands. They settle on the mainland where access to roads, gardens, markets, schools and freshwater is easier.