A fascinating documentary sheds light on what life is like on a remote island in the US, which remains peaceful and largely unchanged since the first settlers arrived more than 400 years ago.

Due to its isolated, archaic state and concerns over rising sea levels, there are only around 200 residents left on Smith Island in Maryland.

In a bid to find out more about the mysterious spot with extremely cheap real estate, YouTube creator Peter Santenello spent a day there with resident Jerry Smith as his guide. 

Jerry's family have been living on Smith Island since the 1600s, and the main industry there is crabbing.  

After taking a boat from the mainland, Peter lands in a tiny town called Ewell, which is considered the 'capital.' 

Facilities there include a post office, Methodist church, fire station and community center.  

A website for Smith Island warns prospective visitors that they should bring cash with them as there are no ATMs. 

It also notes that the cell phone service is 'spotty or not at all', but a new high-speed internet connection is on the way with nearly $2 million of state money.

To start, Jerry takes Peter on a drive around the island. 

Asked what type of people live there, Jerry responds: 'People who have already made their fortune in life and want to retire somewhere peaceful.'

Many of the houses they drive past appear to be in a state of disrepair, and Jerry points to one property that he says he has never seen anyone live in since he has been there. 

Over the years, Jerry reveals that the population on Smith Island has steadily declined and in the mid 90s, 100 people left in one year as crabbing 'got really bad' and a prison opened on the mainland providing fresh job opportunities.