Largest Islands in the World
Islands are pieces of land surrounded by water. There are two main types of islands, continental islands and oceanic islands. In the following article, we will learn about the largest Islands in the world and much more.
Largest Island in the World
Greenland is the world’s largest island situated between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of Canada. It spans 2,130,800 square kilometers (836,330 square miles), making it more than three times the size of Texas. Although Greenland is vast, it has a small population of about 56,000, making it the world’s least densely populated country. The capital city is Nuuk.
Most of Greenland is covered by a massive ice sheet and glaciers, which are the second largest in the world after Antarctica. Most people in Greenland are Inuit, who have a strong history. Their economy mainly relies on traditional activities like hunting, fishing, and tourism. The Inuit people use dog sleds in their everyday life. There is also increasing interest in its natural resources, such as minerals and potential oil reserves.
Interesting Facts about Greenland
- The ice sheet covers about 80% of Greenland and holds around 10% of the world’s fresh water.
- Greenland has a special ecosystem because it’s isolated and has a tough climate.
- Greenland is one of the top places to see the Northern Lights, also called the Aurora Borealis.
- Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Although it is part of Denmark, Greenland has its government that manages most local issues.
Top 9 Largest Islands in the World
Apart from Greenland, here are the 9 largest Islands in the world:
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New Guinea
New Guinea is the second biggest island on Earth, in the southwest part of the Pacific Ocean. It’s split between two countries: Papua New Guinea in the east and Indonesia in the west. The island is huge, covering about 785,753 square kilometers (303,381 square miles). It’s famous for the tallest mountain range in Oceania, the Owen Stanley Range. The highest peak in this range is Puncak Jaya.
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Borneo
Borneo is the third biggest island, found in Southeast Asia. It’s shared by three countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. The island is quite large, covering about 743,330 square kilometers (288,869 square miles). One notable feature is Mount Kinabalu, the tallest mountain in Southeast Asia, located on this island. Borneo is famous for Proboscis or Nose Monkey as it is found nowhere else.
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Madagascar
Madagascar ranks as the fourth biggest island in the world. Situated off the southeast coast of Africa, it is famous for its amazing variety of plants and animals, many of which exist nowhere else. Covering an area of about 587,041 square kilometers (226,658 square miles), Madagascar is home to the lemur, a special animal known for its big eyes and long tail.
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Baffin Island
Baffin Island is the biggest island in Canada and the fifth biggest in the world. It’s up in the Arctic Ocean, in a place called Nunavut. The island covers an area of about 507,451 square kilometers (195,928 square miles). Many different animals live there, like polar bears, caribou, and walruses. It’s famous for its beautiful scenery, with mountains, glaciers, and fjords.
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Sumatra
Sumatra is the sixth biggest island, found in western Indonesia. It’s famous for its thick rainforests, different animals, and volcanoes that sometimes erupt. The island covers an area of about 443,066 square kilometers (171,069 square miles). Sumatra is the home of animals like the Sumatran orangutan and Sumatran tiger, which are sadly in danger of disappearing. There are also several volcanoes in Sumatra, including Mount Toba, which had one of the biggest volcanic eruptions ever known.
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Honshu
Honshu is the biggest and most crowded island in Japan. It makes up about 60% of the country and is the seventh-largest island in the world. You can find big cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka on Honshu, along with famous places like Mount Fuji and the largest lake, Lake Biwa. It covers an area of about 227,970 square kilometers (88,020 square miles). The island of Honshu is famous for its oil.
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Victoria Island
Victoria Island ranks as the eighth biggest island globally and the second biggest in Canada. Located in the Arctic Archipelago, it has few inhabitants, with most of the land covered in tundra and ice. Known for its remoteness and untouched nature, Victoria Island spans about 217,291 square kilometers (83,896 square miles). It experiences a harsh climate with cold tundra conditions, and animals like muskoxen, caribou, and arctic wolves inhabit the island.
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Great Britain
Great Britain ranks as the ninth biggest island in the world and the largest in the British Isles. Located off the northwest coast of mainland Europe, Great Britain comprises three countries: England, Scotland, and Wales, each boasting its own unique culture and history. The island holds significant renown for its contributions to literature, music, and science. Covering an area of approximately 209,331 square miles (80,823 square kilometers), Great Britain is also home to London, the capital of the United Kingdom.
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Ellesmere Island
Ellesmere Island is the tenth biggest island globally and the third biggest in a group of islands called the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. It’s famous for having a cold Arctic climate, huge glaciers, and special animals like muskoxen and Arctic wolves. Only a few people live there, and most parts of the island are empty. It covers an area of about 196,236 square kilometers (75,767 square miles). You can find animals like polar bears, walruses, and arctic foxes living there too.
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