Top 12 Largest Islands In The World
Our planet Earth is home to hundreds of thousands of islands scattered across the oceans and seas. Islands come in all shapes and sizes – from tiny deserted sandbars to massive landmasses housing entire countries. In this article, we take a look at the 12 largest islands on Earth based on land area. Some of these islands you may be very familiar with, while others you may have never heard of before.
Islands have captured the human imagination for centuries. Tales of remote tropical islands paradises or mysterious lands hidden in the vast ocean depths have fueled many a legend and story. Even today, islands continue to be objects of fascination.
While small islands evoke images of isolation, larger islands can support thriving societies and diverse ecosystems. The largest islands in the world are virtual continents in their own right, with unique cultures, terrain, wildlife, and attractions.
What constitutes the biggest islands in the world? By definition, an island is a mass of land that is completely surrounded by water and not part of any other landmass or continent. The rankings in this article are based on total land area above sea level. From lush jungles to arid deserts, let’s explore the 12 largest islands on our amazing planet.
1. Greenland – 2,175,600 km2
The world’s largest island is Greenland, located between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans. Greenland has a massive total area of 2,175,600 square kilometers (840,000 square miles), of which only 410,000 km2 (158,400 sq mi) is not covered by permanent ice sheets. If the entire island were ice-free, it would be the 12th largest country in the world by area.
Over 80% of Greenland is covered by the Greenland Ice Sheet, which contains approximately 2.85 million cubic kilometers of ice. If this enormous ice sheet were to melt completely, it would raise global sea levels by about 7 meters.
Despite its icy conditions, Greenland is home to a population of around 56,000 people, most of whom are Inuit. The island is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Due to its strategic location, mineral wealth and importance to climate research, Greenland has gained increasing geopolitical significance in recent years.
2. New Guinea – 785,753 km2
The world’s second largest island is New Guinea, located just north of Australia. Politically, New Guinea is divided between the Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua in the west and the mainland region of Papua New Guinea in the east.
At 785,753 square kilometers (303,381 square miles), New Guinea is substantially larger than France and Spain combined. The island is extremely mountainous and covered in dense rainforest. New Guinea possesses a high level of biodiversity including endemic plant and animal species. Around a thousand different languages are spoken on the island.
For thousands of years, the indigenous peoples of New Guinea lived as hunter-gatherers. European colonization began in the 19th century, but tribal groups still follow traditional lifestyles in the island’s remote interior highlands. Natural resources like copper, gold and oil have attracted foreign companies and investors to New Guinea.
3. Borneo – 743,330 km2
Occupying the third spot is Borneo, located in Southeast Asia. At 743,330 square kilometers (287,000 square miles), Borneo is the largest island in Asia. Politically, the island is divided between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.
Borneo is geologically ancient, very biologically diverse and still has major wilderness areas despite extensive logging in some regions. The Borneo rainforest is 130 million years old and known for its towering dipterocarp trees.
Endangered wildlife species found only on Borneo include the Bornean orangutan, Bornean clouded leopard, proboscis monkey, and pygmy elephant. Human artifacts dating back 40,000 years have been discovered inside caves in the island’s limestone mountains.
Borneo’s population today is over 19.5 million. The main industries are oil, gas, timber and palm oil production. Eco-tourism is also popular due to the island’s natural beauty and wildlife.
4. Madagascar – 592,900 km2
The fourth largest island in the world is Madagascar, located off the southeastern coast of Africa. At 592,900 square kilometers (228,900 sq mi), it is the fourth-largest island in the world.
Over 90% of Madagascar’s wildlife exists nowhere else on Earth. The ecosystems and endemic flora and fauna evolved in isolation over millions of years. Some prominent examples are lemurs, chameleons and the carnivorous fossa.
The main inhabitants of Madagascar are of Austronesian and East African descent who arrived at different periods. They speak the Malagasy language which traces back to the Austronesians. Madagascar is considered a biodiversity hotspot and eco-tourism destination, despite facing issues like deforestation.
5. Baffin Island – 507,451 km2
Baffin Island in the Canadian territory of Nunavut is the world’s fifth largest island. Baffin Island lies west of Greenland at the northern end of the North Atlantic. With an area of 507,451 square kilometers (196,235 sq mi), it is the largest island in Canada and contains Mount Odin, the country’s highest peak at 2,147 meters (7,044 ft).
Baffin Island is separated from Greenland by a relatively narrow strait. The Baffin Mountains run along the length of the island. Local fauna includes the Arctic hare, caribou, polar bear and lemming. Deep fiords indent the coastline, which has an extensive maritime history. The island is named after English explorer William Baffin.
6. Sumatra – 473,606 km2
Sumatra is one of the Sunda Islands of western Indonesia. At 473,606 square kilometers (182,812 sq mi) in area, it is the sixth largest island in the world. Sumatra is an elongated landmass spanning 1,790 km (1,110 mi) from north-to-south. The Barisan Mountains run the entire length of the rugged, forested island.
A chain of active volcanoes including Krakatoa also occupies Sumatra’s length. The island is home to endangered species like the Sumatran elephant, Sumatran rhinoceros, Sumatran tiger and orangutan. An advanced civilization flourished here over 1,500 years ago, building spectacular monuments like the Borobudur temple.
Today, Sumatra has over 50 million residents. Palm oil, rubber, coal, petroleum and natural gas are important contributors to the economy. However, deforestation remains an acute environmental issue on the island.
7. Honshu – 227,960 km2
Honshu is the largest and most populous island of Japan. Its size of 227,960 square kilometers (88,000 sq mi) makes it the seventh largest island in the world. Honshu is also referred to as the ‘mainland’ of Japan, as it contains the capital Tokyo and the largest concentration of the country’s population.
The island of Honshu has varied geography ranging from mountains and volcanic peaks in the interior to low coastal plains. Honshu experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its location near the convergent boundary between the Pacific and Eurasian tectonic plates.
Iconic landmarks on the island include Mount Fuji, the Sea of Japan, the Inland Sea and Lake Biwa. Honshu is densely inhabited and home to bustling Japanese cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Nagoya that showcase both modern and traditional aspects of Japanese culture.
8. Victoria Island – 217,291 km2
The sparsely populated Victoria Island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago is the eighth largest island in the world with an area of 217,291 square kilometers (83,897 sq mi). It is located in the Nunavut territory of northern Canada. The island lies west of Banks Island and south of Cambridge Bay.
Victoria Island contains dramatic landscapes like the Shaler Mountains, Diamond Jenness Peninsula and Wollaston Peninsula. Peary caribou, muskox, lemmings and wolves inhabit the tundra environment. The island has important natural resources like iron ore, copper, zinc and diamonds.
Victoria Island measures 348 km (216 mi) across east-to-west and 320 km (200 mi) north-to-south. It is named after the British monarch Queen Victoria. The indigenous Inuit have lived on the island for thousands of years. The island is now accessible by air travel and sea routes.
9. Ellesmere Island – 196,236 km2
The 9th largest island in the world is Ellesmere Island, part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region of the Canadian territory of Nunavut. It lies off the northwestern coast of Greenland. With an area of 196,236 square kilometers (75,767 sq mi), it is the world’s tenth largest island and Canada’s third largest island.
The Lincoln Sea, Wandel Sea and part of the Arctic Ocean border the icy shores of mountainous Ellesmere Island. Glaciers like the Milne, Agassiz and Ellesmere cover large parts of the island. Wildlife includes the muskox, Peary caribou, brown lemming and marbled Arctic fox. The island has evidence of ancient biodiversity in fossils found at locations like Strathcona Fiord.
Human settlement on Ellesmere Island was largely limited to the Inuit, fur trappers, and expeditions like the British Arctic Expedition. Today it is the focus of various ecological surveys and climate studies.
10. Great Britain – 209,331 km2
The island of Great Britain occupies a major part of the archipelago of British Isles and is the tenth largest island in the world at 209,331 square kilometers (80,823 sq mi) in area. Geographically, Great Britain refers just to the largest island itself, while politically it includes surrounding smaller islands.
England, Scotland and Wales are the three countries located on the island of Great Britain. Some of the world’s greatest literature, science, democracy and industry originated here. The capital city London remains an important global center of culture and finance. Iconic landmarks include Stonehenge, Big Ben, Edinburgh Castle and the Lake District.
Great Britain’s mild rainy climate supports rolling green fields. Oak, ash, elm and beech are native trees in the woodlands. Red deer and otter are common wildlife species. Great Britain’s coastline is indented with bays, estuaries, peninsulas and headlands.
11. Sri Lanka – 65,268 km2
The tropical island nation of Sri Lanka islocated in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of India. With an area of 65,268 square kilometers (25,200 sq mi), it ranks as the 25th largest island in the world. Sri Lanka has a relatively small landmass but a high population density.
Sri Lanka possesses a rich cultural and natural heritage. Ancient cities, temple complexes and forts testify to a vibrant civilization dating back thousands of years. Lush forests and diverse wildlife including Asian elephants, sloth bears and leopards are protected in national parks. These natural blessings coupled with sandy beaches have made tourism a leading income source for the island.
Agriculture is another pillar of the economy in the fertile plains of Sri Lanka. Tea, rice, fruits and spices are cultivated commercially across the island. Sri Lanka has transitioned to a lower middle-income country since gaining independence from Britain in 1948.
12. Sakhalin Island – 72,492 km2
The long narrow island of Sakhalin in the North Pacific Ocean is the largest island of the Russian Federation. Sakhalin lies just north of Japan, separated by the narrow La Pérouse Strait. Its land area of 72,492 square kilometers (28,000 sq mi) makes it the 12th largest island in the world.
Sakhalin stretches 948 km (587 mi) from north to south parallel to the continent of Asia. Two-thirds of the island are rugged mountainous terrain with numerous glaciers. The island has deposits of petroleum, natural gas and coal along with hot springs and mineral water springs.
The original inhabitants were indigenous peoples like the Ainu, Nivkh and Oroks. Sakhalin has passed between Russia and Japan over the centuries with parts claimed by both countries until the mid-20th century. The island contains the subarctic indigenous peoples, mainland Russians and some Japanese influences.
Conclusion
This tour of the world’s dozen largest islands reveals how they run the gamut from remote frozen lands to steamy tropical paradises. Despite their isolation, these islands have gone on to gain strategic, economic and cultural importance on the global stage.
The unique geology, biodiversity, history and civilizations of the largest islands continue to intrigue people worldwide. Several face environmental challenges and pressures from factors like climate change and population growth. However, their immense size and natural gifts ensure that the largest islands on Earth will always have an aura of mystery and grandeur.