10 large islands. The largest island on earth

Incredible facts

It is incredibly difficult to calculate the total number of islands on our planet.

Every year new islands appear in the world, but the largest islands still remain in their places.

Here you can learn about the world's largest islands, the largest island states and even the largest lake islands.

1. Greenland Island

Greenland is considered the largest island on our planet. Its local name is Kalallit-Nunaat. The area of ​​the island is 2,166,086 square meters. km.

Highest point: Gunbjorn (3,700 meters).

Region: Greenland.

A country: Denmark.

Facts about Greenland

* The capital of Greenland, Nuuk, is the smallest capital city in the world. Its population is only 15,105 people (as of July 2009).

* It is believed that Greenland was inhabited in prehistoric times by various Paleo-Eskimo groups. However, archaeological research shows that the Inuit settled here around 2500 BC.

* The first Europeans arrived here in 985. They were Norwegians and Icelanders. They were called the Norwegian Greenlanders.

You can find out the most interesting things about the beautiful island of Greenland just below or by clicking HERE .

2. Island of New Guinea

Area – 785,753 sq. km.

Highest point: 4884 meters.

Population (2010): 9,500,000 people.

Countries: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea.

Facts about New Guinea

Mount Bagan is an active volcano. Height 1730.

* The western part of the island of New Guinea is located on the territory of Indonesia, and its eastern part is located on the territory of the state of Papua New Guinea.

* New Guinea is the largest island divided between countries.

* It is home to 11,000 species of plants, 600 rare species of birds, more than 400 species of amphibians, more than 450 species of butterflies, and approximately 100 species of mammals.

* In ancient times, this island was connected to the Australian continent.

* New Guinea was discovered for Europe in the 16th century by Spanish and Portuguese sailors.

* The island received its name from the Spanish navigator Inigo Ortiz de Retes. When he arrived on the island in 1545, it seemed to him that the local people were very similar to the aborigines who live in African Guinea.

3. Borneo Island

Area - 748,168 sq. km.

Archipelago: Malay Archipelago.

A country: Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia.

Highest point: Mount Kinabalu, 4095 meters.

Population (2010): 19,800,000 people.

Facts about Borneo Island

* On this island grows the world's largest flower - Rafflesia, the smell of which, according to local residents, is similar to the smell of a decomposing corpse.

* Borneo has a tropical forest that is more than 130 million years old. It is home to many species of rare animals: the Sumatran rhinoceros, Asian elephant, Bornean clouded leopard and others.

4. Madagascar Island

Area - 587,713 sq. km.

A country: Madagascar.

Highest point: 2961 meters.

Population (2008): 20,042,552 people.

Facts about Madagascar

* Millions of years ago, Madagascar was part of the same land, Gondwana, and about 60 million years ago, this island was the first to separate from the mainland and thereby became the first island on our planet.

* The first people came to Madagascar about 2000 years ago.

* The first European to notice this island was the Portuguese navigator Diego Diaz. This happened at the beginning of the 16th century, and after that Madagascar became one of the most important trading points on the way to India.

* Malagasy, French and English are spoken on the island.

* Since the island is rich in iron and aluminum, it was nicknamed the Great Red Island.

* The country of Madagascar ranks first in the cultivation and export of vanilla.

5. Baffin Island

Area - 503,944 sq. km.

A country: Canada.

Region: Nunavut.

Highest point: 2147 meters.

Population (2007): 11,000 people.

Facts about Baffin Island

* Baffin Island is a very cold and virtually uninhabited place.

* Thor Peak, named after the Norse god, can be found here. It is worth noting that Thor Peak is the highest cliff on our planet.

* Baffin Island was named after the famous British explorer William Baffin, who first described the island in 1616. It is believed that Baffin is its discoverer.

* More than half of the island's territory is located beyond the Arctic Circle. For this reason, there are polar days and nights here.

6. Sumatra Island

Area - 443,066 sq. km.

A country: Indonesia.

Highest point: 3800 meters.

Population (2010): 50,600,000 people.

Facts about Sumatra

* The island is home to the Toba volcano, which is believed to have caused the last ice age. About 70,000 years ago, this volcano exploded and released thousands of cubic kilometers of ash into the air, obscuring the rays of the Sun for many years. Today, in the caldera of the Toba volcano there is a beautiful lake of the same name, and in its center there is another island - Samosir, inside which there is also a lake - Sidokhni.

* Scientists believe that the eruption of the Krakatoa volcano on the island led to the formation of a strait between the islands of Sumatra and Java. In 1883, the volcano exploded and, together with the island on which it was located, they sank to the bottom of the sea. Today, in its place a new mountain has formed - Anak-Krakatoa ("Child of Krakatoa"), which grows 7 meters every year.

* Batak tribes still live on the island. Before the adoption of Christianity, these tribes were cannibals.

* The most expensive coffee in the world, Kopi Luwak, is grown here in Sumatra. The fact is that there is only one animal on the island - the kopi luwak, which loves coffee berries. Of course, he chooses only the best berries. They are not completely digested by kopi-luwak. Locals collect them, wash them and roast them to create coffee.

7. Honshu Island

Area - 225,800 sq. km.

A country: Japan.

Highest point: 3776 meters.

Population (2010): 100,000,000 people.

Facts about Honshu Island

* On the island of Honshu there is Mount Fuji - the symbol of the land of the rising sun.

* Earthquakes are common here as Honshu is located at the intersection of 3 formation plates.

* The largest Japanese cities in Japan are also located here - Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Kyoto.

8. UK Island

Area - 229,957 sq. km.

Archipelago: British Isles.

A country: Great Britain.

Regions: England, Scotland, Wales.

Highest point: 1,344 meters.

Population (2011): 61,371,315 people.

Facts about Great Britain

* Great Britain is also called Albion, as it was previously known as the land of albinos. The Romans called the British Isles with the word “Britain” (lat. Britannia), which is where the name of this island came from. But they decided to add “Great” to the word “Britain” so that the country would be listed as a political unit. Today we have the island of Britain and a geopolitical unit called Great Britain.

* The Prime Meridian intersects the axis of the Greenwich Observatory located in London.

* Since the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a single state, any person living on its territory can be called “British”, even if he is from Scotland or Northern Ireland.

9. Victoria Island

Area - 220,548 sq. km.

A country: Canada

Regions: Nunavut, Northwest Territories

Highest point: 665 meters

Population (2001): 1707 people.

Facts about Victoria Island

* Thomas Simpson was the first to discover this island in 1838. The British explorer decided to name the island in honor of the English Queen Victoria, who was also the Queen of Canada from 1867 to 1901.

* Here is the largest island within an island within an island.

10. Ellesmere Island

Area - 183,965 sq. km.

A country: Canada

Region: Nunavut.

Highest point: 2616 meters

Population (2006): 146 people.

Facts about Ellesmere Island

* The island is decorated with large mountains and ice fields. Ellesmere is the highest mountain part of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.

* The island has been shrouded in ice since the last ice age, but only 1/3 of its territory is covered by glaciers.

10 largest island states in the world

1. Indonesia - 1,912,988 sq. km.

2. Madagascar - 587,041 sq. km.

3. Papua New Guinea - 462,840 sq. km.

4. Japan - 377,837 sq. km.

5. Philippines - 300,000 sq. km.

6. New Zealand - 270,534 sq. km.

7. UK - 242,910 sq. km.

8. Cuba - 110,860 sq. km.

9. Iceland - 103,000 sq. km.

10. Ireland - 70,273 sq. km.

10 largest volcanic islands

These islands were formed as a result of volcanic eruptions at the bottom of the sea.

1. Sumatra, Indonesia - 473,481 sq. km.

2. Honshu, Japan - 225,800 sq. km.

3. Java, Indonesia - 138,794 sq. km.

4. Northern, New Zealand - 111,583 sq. km.

5. Luzon, Philippines – 109,965 sq. km.

6. Iceland – 103,000 sq. km.

7. Mindanao, Philippines – 97,530 sq. km.

8. Hokkaido, Japan – 78,719 sq. km.

9. New Britain, Papua New Guinea – 35,145 sq. km.

10. Halmahera, Indonesia – 18,040 sq. km.

10 largest lake islands

1. Manitoulin, Lake Huron, Canada - 2,766 sq. km.

2. René-Levasseur, Manicouagan Reservoir, Quebec, Canada – 2,000 sq. km.

3. Olkhon, Lake Baikal, Russia - 730 sq. km.

4. Isle Royale, Lake Superior, Michigan, USA - 541 sq. km.

5. Ukerewe, Lake Victoria, Tanzania - 530 sq. km.

Islands are small areas of land that are found in almost every body of water, not excluding rivers. They can have different origins - there are volcanic hills that are generated due to magma released during eruptions, and there are others created from areas of land cut off from the coast.

The process of formation of new islands and their absorption by waters occurs constantly, every now and then new heights appear and old ones disappear, and this is completely normal. However, the largest objects remain unchanged. Having examined the top largest islands in the world, you can find out which of them are the most stable - all of them are inhabited by people who are in no hurry to leave their homes.

Fifth place - Baffin Island

The exception is, perhaps, Baffin Island, which is the fifth largest island on the planet, and is located somewhat west of Greenland. The population here is no more than 11 thousand people, and the central part of the territories still remains little explored. The reason for this is the harsh climate that characterizes this place. The area of ​​the island is 508 thousand sq. km, and the name was given in honor of William Baffin, the first person to describe the territories. There is simply amazing nature and fabulous views here, and besides, there are places where people have never had time to
visit.

Related materials:

The largest islands in Russia

Fourth place – Madagascar

The island of Madagascar is located near Africa, and today it is known even to children due to its cartoon about animals. On this island there is a separate state of Madagascar, which has sovereignty, and the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthis land area, which is not of volcanic origin, is 587040 sq. km. It has its own flora and fauna, formed in conditions of isolation; the island is rich in endemic species. There are also a lot of minerals here. By the way, the name Madagascar itself is translated from the local dialect as Boar Island.

Third place - Kalimantan

The same island is known as Borneo. Its area is 737 thousand square meters. km, making it the third largest in the world. This island is located at a real maritime crossroads; it is washed by 4 seas and 2 straits. It is almost completely covered with forests; up to 80 percent of the territory is impenetrable jungle. There are 3 states on the island that receive large profits from the timber industry and are primarily engaged in this business. But wood, including valuable species, is not everything; there is also oil, diamonds, and gas here, so the subsoil and natural reserves of this place are only encouraging. And its name translates as Diamond River - it speaks for itself. After all, the recreational resource also brings profit here; tourists and vacationers come here.

In the seas and oceans of the planet there are about 500 thousand islands, of which no more than two percent are inhabited. In terms of area, such land formations can accommodate entire states, or they can barely accommodate even one person. Tectonic processes cause the emergence of new islands and the flooding of old ones, and areas of land surrounded by sea water are also formed due to human activity creating artificial territories.

1. Greenland

The largest island on the planet is Greenland, its area exceeds 2.130 million km 2. The territory is washed by the waters of the Arctic and Atlantic oceans. The island belongs to Denmark and represents an autonomous administrative unit with a population of 57.7 thousand people, most of whom are Greenlandic Eskimos. The capital of Greenland is Nuuk, with a population of 16,583 people and an area of ​​6.9 km2. The island is located in the northeastern part of North America. The climate of the territory is heterogeneous and changeable; the mildest weather conditions are observed on the southwestern coast.

2. New Guinea

The second largest island on the planet is New Guinea, with an area of ​​786 thousand square meters. The territory is located in the Pacific Ocean, north of Australia. The southern part of the island is washed by the waters of the Coral and Arafura Seas. The main land area belongs to the state of Papua New Guinea, its western part belongs to Indonesia. The length of the island is 2000 km and its width is more than 700 km. Being a landmass with an equatorial and subequatorial climate, the island has a rich flora and fauna, as well as excellent conditions for beach tourism.

3. Kalimantan

New Guinea is slightly inferior in area to the island of Kalimantan, which has the third largest area in the world and an area of ​​734 thousand km 2. The most common name is Borneo; on planet Earth it is the only island whose territory is divided between three states. Kalimantan is under the jurisdiction of countries such as Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia. In total, 19.8 million people live on the island. The territory is washed by the waters of the Java and South China seas, as well as the Sulu and Sulawesi seas, and others.

4. Madagascar

The fourth island in the world is Madagascar, whose territory exceeds 584 km 2. It is located off the eastern coast of Africa, washed by the Indian Ocean, separated from the mainland by the Mozambique Strait. It is 1600 km long and 600 km wide. The island is home to a state of the same name, the capital of which is Antananarivo. Madagascar's climate is predominantly tropical. In the central part of the island there is the high-mountain Anjafi plateau; five mountain ranges pass through the landmass. World-famous lemurs live only in Madagascar.

5. Baffin Island

Baffin Island ranks fifth in the world in terms of territory, with an indicator of 507.4 thousand km 2. Belongs to Canada and is part of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. It is located in the north of the mainland and is washed by the waters of the Arctic Ocean. The island has numerous freshwater lakes, the largest of which, Nettilling, covers an area of ​​5542 km 2. A little over 11 thousand people live on Baffin Island. More significant settlement is hampered by harsh climatic conditions.

6. Sumatra

Situated in the western part of the Malay Archipelago, the island of Sumatra is the sixth largest in the world. Its territories occupy 473 thousand km 2 with a length of 1.8 thousand km and a width of 435 km. The island is located in both hemispheres of the planet, divided almost in half by the equator. Sumatra is part of Indonesia; the island territory is home to 50.6 million people. On land there is Lake Toby, located in a huge caldera, it covers an area of ​​1103 km 2, and the 120-meter Sipiso-piso waterfall, the source of which is an underground river.

7. UK

Great Britain is recognized as the seventh largest island in the world by area, the territory of which is occupied by the state of the same name, including England, Wales and Scotland, with its capital in London. The area of ​​the island occupies 229.9 thousand km 2, with a length of 1440 km and a width of up to 660 km. The territory is home to 63 million people, making the island the third largest in the world in terms of population. Great Britain is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The island is home to Loch Lomond, which has an area of ​​71 km2. The island state is located in the north-west direction from the continental part of Europe.

8. Honshu

The second most populous island in the world, Honshu is the eighth largest island on the planet. The territory of 227.9 thousand km 2 is slightly smaller than Great Britain. The island is home to more than 100 million people and is the largest in the Japanese archipelago. The length of Honshu is 1300 km, and the width does not exceed 230 km. The island's area makes up 60 percent of Japan's total area. It is washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean, the length of the coastline is 5450 km. Honshu is home to Mount Fuji, a symbol and active stratovolcano of Japan.

9. Victoria

Victoria Island, which is part of the Canadian Arctic archipelago, has an area of ​​217.2 thousand km 2, occupying ninth position in the ranking. The island territory is washed by the waters of the Arctic Ocean and belongs to Canada. The harsh climate does not allow the settlement of this landmass, which is home to 1,700 people. The maximum length is 500 km, with the greatest width being 600 km. There are numerous lakes on the island, the largest of which, Ferguson, occupies 588 km 2. Victoria is part of the North American Polar Tundra ecological region.

10. Ellesmere

Another island, part of the Canadian Arctic archipelago, ranks tenth in the ranking. The area of ​​the territory is 196.2 thousand km 2, in its eastern part there is the border of Canada and Greenland, 146 people live on the island, the climate is polar arctic. Here is the northernmost settlement in the world, Alert, which is home to only five people. There are three settlements in total on Ellesmere.

About a third of the area is covered by glaciers. The polar night can last up to five months. Winter temperatures reach -50 °C. The highest point of the island is Barbeau Peak with a height of 2616 meters.

Today there are more than five hundred thousand islands in the world. They have a variety of sizes. Many of these islands are very small. They can fit two people, no more. However, there are also those islands whose sizes are equal to entire countries of the world. This article will focus on the largest island in the world.

Where is the largest island in the world?

The largest island in the world is, of course, Greenland. It belongs to Denmark, but has the right of self-government. This island is located beyond the Arctic Circle. Almost eighty percent of Greenland is covered by a giant glacier. Despite such unusual features of the location and terrain, numerous travel companies offer a large number of attractive tours to this place. Here, all tourists are promised an unusual pastime and an unforgettable vacation surrounded by exotic nature.

This island is attractive for tourists. People who are not afraid of harsh climatic conditions come here. Almost the entire territory remains deserted due to heavy snow and harsh climate. Holidays in this place can be truly harsh. You need to be prepared for this. Therefore, tourists need determination in order to withstand all the tests that will await them while traveling around the island.

Greenland is significantly larger than Denmark. The territory is approximately fifty times larger than this state. Self-government was introduced on the island six years ago. Denmark is engaged in the military defense of this territory and resolves all political issues. The island has its own judicial system, which is guided by local laws.

Climatic features of the island of Greenland

The climate in southern and northern Greenland is very different. This is due to the fact that its territory occupies a large area. The climate varies from arctic to subarctic. Surprisingly, in the summer, many areas of Greenland can warm up to 21 degrees Celsius. On average, the temperature here at this time of year does not rise above 0 degrees Celsius. In winter, the temperature averages minus 27 degrees Celsius. It is not easy for people living in the coastal area. This is due to the fact that very strong winds blow here.

It should be noted that the name of this island is literally translated as Green Country. This is surprising because there is virtually no green space here that would support the development of agriculture.

What attracts tourists to the island of Greenland?

Tourists love the nature of this island. There are amazingly beautiful places with original landscape features. In addition, such natural phenomena that exist here are not found anywhere in the world. In summer, the local natural beauty can be enjoyed even at night when the sun is shining. However, it makes it almost impossible to admire the northern lights. That is why the best time to observe the natural phenomenon is mid-spring.

Population of Greenland

The indigenous people of Greenland are the Eskimos. Their national language is Greenlandic. However, the local population also speaks Danish. In the northern regions, Eskimos still build igloos for living. The population is not engaged in agriculture. The main industries here are fishing and hunting. Salmon, cod and other fish products are exported.

Every year new islands appear in the world, but the largest ones still remain in their places. Below is a list of the ten largest islands in the world by area.

Ellesmere – 196,236 km. sq.

Ellesmere is the northernmost Canadian island, with a total area of ​​196,236 km. sq. It is the third largest island in Canada and the tenth largest in the world. Despite its vast territory, as of 2006, only 146 permanent residents live on the island, in three settlements - Gris Fjord, Alert and Eureka.

Victoria Island – 217,291 km. sq.

Victoria is the second largest island in Canada and the ninth in the world (according to various sources it is the eighth or ninth). Located in the Arctic Ocean and located in the southwestern part of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The island was named after Queen Victoria of England in 1839. It has a total population of 1,707 people (2001).

Honshu – 227,970 km. sq.

Honshu is the largest island in Japan (approximately 60% of the entire country's territory). Located south of the island of Hokkaido. The population of Honshu as of 2010 is about 100 million people, making it the second most populous island in the world (after the Indonesian island of Java).

Great Britain – 229,848 km. sq.

Great Britain is the largest of the British Isles, stretching northwest of mainland Europe. 95% of its entire territory is divided between England, Scotland and Wales, which are part of the United Kingdom. It has a population of about 63 million people and ranks third in the world in terms of population after the islands of Java and Honshu.

Sumatra – 480,848 km. sq.

Sumatra is the sixth largest island in the world. Entirely part of Indonesia. The number of inhabitants living on the island as of 2010 is more than 50 million people, making it the fourth most populous island in the world.

Baffin Island – 507,451 km. sq.

Baffin Island is an island that is part of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. It is the largest island in Canada and the fifth largest island in the world. It is home to just over 11,000 people (as of 2007) in eight communities, the largest of which is Iqaluit.

Madagascar – 587,713 km. sq.

Madagascar is a large island located in the Indian Ocean, off the east coast of Africa. Although Madagascar is located close to Africa, the island's flora and fauna are unique - it contains 5% of all species of flora and fauna in the world, 80% of which exist only on this island.

Kalimantan (Borneo) - 748,168 km. sq.

Kalimantan or Borneo is the third largest island in the world and the largest island in Asia. Located in the center of the Malay Archipelago in Southeast Asia. Divided between Indonesia (73%), Malaysia (26%) and Brunei (about 1%). The island is home to one of the oldest tropical forests in the world. It has 19,800,000 inhabitants (as of 2010), most of whom live in coastal cities. The population density in Borneo is 26 people per square kilometer.

New Guinea – 785,753 sq. km.

New Guinea is the second largest island on earth, located in the western Pacific Ocean north of Australia. Divided approximately equally between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The island's current population is approximately eleven million (2015). It has large natural reserves of oil, gold, copper and other ores.

Greenland – 2,130,800 sq. km.

Greenland is the largest island on Earth. Located in the northeast of North America and washed by the Atlantic and Arctic oceans. It is part of Denmark as an autonomous unit. The population of the island as of July 2010 is 57,600 people.

Share on social media networks