An island is a landmass that is completely surrounded by water from all directions. The continental landmasses Australia, Antarctica, Americas, and Afro-Eurasia are not considered islands. In this article, we will see what are some of the largest islands in the world. Let’s read.
Top 10 largest islands in the world
1. Greenland
The main island of Greenland is the largest island in the world. The island has an area of 2.13 million square kilometers/ 0.822 million square miles. Greenland is surrounded by the Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans and has a small population of only about 56,000. Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark but remains autonomous. The Greenland ice sheet that covers 80% of Greenland is the second largest ice sheet/ice accumulation in the world after the Antarctic ice sheet.
2. New Guinea island
New Guinea island is the second-largest island in the world. It has an area of 785,750 square kilometers/303,380 square miles. The island is divided almost equally with the western region being part of Indonesia and the eastern region being an independent country Papua New Guinea.
3. Borneo
With an area of 748,200 square kilometers/288,900 square miles, the Borneo island located in Southeast Asia is the third-largest island in the world. The island is divided into three countries- Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. Brunei is a small country located completely on Borneo island. Indonesia and Malaysia have a major portion of their land area on the Borneo island.
4. Madagascar
Madagascar is a large island located in the Indian Ocean, east of the main African landmass. The island has an area of 587,000 square kilometers/226,650 square miles. Madagascar is one of the most biologically diverse nations in the world with various climatic zones and ecosystems.
5. Baffin island
Baffin Island is the largest island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Part of the Nunavut territory of Canada, Baffin island has an area of 507,450 square kilometers/195,927 square miles. There are only a few human settlements on Baffin island. The largest of them is Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut. Iqaluit has a population of 7000-8000.
6. Sumatra
Sumatra is one of the main islands of Indonesia. The island has an area of 443,065 square kilometers/171,068 square miles and is the sixth-largest island in the world. Sumatra is a part of the Greater Sunda island group that includes Java and Borneo islands as well.
7. Honshu
Honshu is the largest and the most populous island of Japan/Japanese archipelago. The island has an area of nearly 228,000 square kilometers/88,030 square miles and a population of 104 million. Most major cities of Japan like Tokyo, Osaka, and Yokohama are located on Honshu island.
8. Victoria island
Victoria Island is the second-largest island of the Canadian Arctic archipelago. The island has an area of 217,300 square kilometers/83,900 square miles and a small population of about 2000, most of which resides in the Cambridge Bay hamlet.
9. Great Britain
Great Britain is the ninth largest island in the world. The island has an area of 209,331 square kilometers/80,823 square miles. Located in the British isles, Great Britain is three countries-England, Wales, and Scotland. Great Britain is the largest island in Europe and is the third most populous island in the world.
10. Ellesmere island
Number 10 on the list of largest islands in the world is the Ellesmere island of Canada. The island has an area of 196,236 square kilometers/75,767 square miles and a small population of only about 200.
Did you know: Greenland is a part of the North American continent, not Europe.
| Island name | Approximate area | |
| 1 | Greenland | 2.13 million square kilometers/ 0.822 million square miles |
| 2 | New Guinea | 785,750 square kilometers/303,380 square miles |
| 3 | Borneo | 748,200 square kilometers/288,900 square miles |
| 4 | Madagascar | 587,000 square kilometers/226,650 square miles |
| 5 | Baffin Island | 507,450 square kilometers/195,927 square miles |
| 6 | Sumatra | 443,065 square kilometers/171068 square miles |
| 7 | Honshu | 228,000 square kilometers/88,030 square miles |
| 8 | Victoria Island | 217,300 square kilometers/83,900 square miles |
| 9 | Great Britain | 209,331 square kilometers/80,823 square miles |
| 10 | Ellesmere Island | 196,236 square kilometers/75,767 square miles |
| 11 | Sulawesi | 180,680 square kilometers/69,760 square miles |
| 12 | South Island of New Zealand | 150,437 square kilometers/58,084 square miles |
| 13 | Java | 138,800 square kilometers/ 53,591 square miles |
| 14 | North Island of New Zealand | 111,583 square kilometers/43,082 square miles |
| 15 | Luzon island of Philippines | 110,000 square kilometers/42,471 square miles |
| 16 | Newfoundland | 108,860 square kilometers/42,031 square miles |
| 17 | Cuba | 105,800 square kilometers/40,850 square miles |
| 18 | Iceland | 101,826 square kilometers/39,315 square miles |
| 19 | Mindanao island of Philippines | 97,530 square kilometers/37,657 square miles |
| 20 | Ireland | 84,421 square kilometers/32,595 square miles |
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