The largest island in the world, 10 largest

Finding out the exact number of islands on Earth is difficult. It is believed that there are about 2,000 islands in the world. They differ from each other in size, relief, climate, flora and fauna. The largest island in the world is named Greenland.

Largest island - Greenland

This autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark is least densely populated area in the world... The density of the island's population is 0.028 / km 2, and the number of people living there is 57,728 people. And these, for the most part, are not Europeans, but Greenlandic Eskimos (kalaallites) or descendants from mixed marriages of Danes with Eskimos. In 2009, the inhabitants of Greenland acquired the status of a separate people, and Denmark was assigned the protection of Greenland and the management of foreign affairs.

Squeezed between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, Greenland is not a very hospitable land against the backdrop of even harsher waters. However, this island has long attracted the attention of polar explorers and is currently positioned as a destination for adventure tourism.

Total area of ​​Greenland

Greenland covers 2,130,800 km². At the same time, 81% of the island's area is covered by ice cover. If we imagine that this ice completely melted, then this would lead to a rise in world sea level by 7 meters.

Where did the name "Greenland" come from?

This name, which is more reminiscent of "unfair advertising," has generated controversy among researchers. Some believe that during the discovery of Greenland, the local climate was much milder, and the coastal areas in the south-west of the island were richly covered with vegetation, while others believe that the name "Greenland" was chosen by the discoverer Eirik Red in order to attract settlers to the island. The source of the second version is the work of Ari the Wise, an Icelandic chronicler of the 11th century. However, the first copy of his work belongs to the 13th century, and it is supposedly supplemented by various authors. Therefore, this explanation of the name "Greenland" can be viewed with skepticism.

Iceland, on the other hand, was far more unlucky than Greenland. This land, washed by the warm Gulf Stream, was called "icy" because the settlers landed on it during severe frosts.

Photos and videos about Greenland

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10 largest islands in the world by area

10. Sulawesi - 180,681 km²

The rating of the largest islands of the Earth is opened by an Indonesian handsome man, which is one of the most popular tourist destinations. It offers superb coral diving conditions, pristine beaches, exotic fauna and lush rainforest. Those who are more interested in architecture and culture than nature can visit the Rotterdam Fort, the palace and the tomb of the Govan kings and take part in the lavish local ceremonies.

The main religion of the island is Islam, so the locals do not drink or sell alcohol to tourists.

Another feature of Sulawesi is its unusual shape.Four more peninsulas adjoin this island, making Sulawesi look like an orchid on the map.

9. Ellesmere - 183,965 km²

Like another member of the ranking of the largest islands in the world (namely Victoria Island), Ellesmere also lies entirely within the Arctic Circle. It is not surprising that it is very thinly populated - only 146 people. It is also the most mountainous island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and rather inhospitable, so it is hardly worth going here for entertainment.

8. Great Britain - 209331 km²

Is an the largest island in Europe... On its territory are England, Scotland and Wales.

The UK is less impressive than most of the islands on this list. There are no active volcanoes, exotic flora or ferocious animals on its territory. But on the other hand, there are many rolling hills, rocky coastlines, picturesque villages and the best tea in the world.

7. Victoria - 217,291 km²

The largest island in the world, of those that are entirely within the Arctic Circle. At the same time, despite its size, Victoria Island is surprisingly small in number, less than 2,000 people live there.

Instead of humans, Victoria is overrun with tens of thousands of caribou and musk oxen, which are also endemic to Canada.

6. Honshu - 225,800 km²

Honshu is the largest of Japan's four main islands. It is also the most populous island on the list of the largest islands in the world. Honshu has a population of 103 million.

It is the second most populous island on Earth after the Indonesian island of Java with 139 million inhabitants. This is not surprising, given that it is on Honshu that the Tokyo metropolis is located, which is home to 38 million Japanese.

The island has excellent conditions for skiing and mountaineering, as all 30 of Japan's highest peaks are located on Honshu (including Fuji).

5. Sumatra - 443,066 km²

Eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis are typical of Sumatra, but this does not stop tourists who want to join the wild and mysterious nature of the jungle. Orangutans, tigers, rhinoceroses and elephants inhabit the forests of Sumatra, while the picturesque beaches provide rest for weary travelers. Also in Sumatra, water sports are very developed, including surfing and diving.

4. Baffin Island - 507451 km²

Canada has the longest coastline in the world and an unknown number of islands. The largest of these is Baffin Island. It is distinguished by mountainous, harsh and primitively beautiful landscapes. Almost the entire population of the island, which is over 10 thousand people, lives on the coast. Only scientific expeditions are sent to the central part of the island, studying nature, which has hardly been touched by human influence.

3. Madagascar - 587 713 km²

Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world and the largest island in the Indian Ocean. This incredibly diverse area contains 5% of all known species of animals and plants.

2. Borneo - 743,330 km²

The third largest island in the world after Greenland is made up of three countries, although about 73% of Borneo is Indonesian territory. The sovereign state of Brunei makes up only one 1% of the island, and the remaining territory is Malaysian.

Borneo is home to one of the oldest rainforests in the world. It is also home to many exotic and rare wild animals: nosed monkeys, gibbons, Malay bears and saltwater crocodiles that lie in wait in the waters of the South China Sea.

1. New Guinea - 785,753 km²

This island has the highest mountain in Oceania and one of the highest mountains in the world - Jaya.

New Guinea is also a world famous diving destination with excellent scuba diving conditions most of the year.

The underwater world is teeming with colorful coral masses and variegated fish. And after World War II, a large number of shipwrecks remained in the waters near the island.

List of islands by area, comparative table