There are many islands on our planet Earth that vary in many factors like size, geography, climate, flora and fauna. It is assumed that there are about 2000 islands located in different Oceans. We are listing the 15 largest Islands in the world that are located in a different part of the world. Here are the top 15 largest islands in the world by land area,
Largest Island in the World
1. Greenland Island- 2,130,800 km2
If you ask me what is the largest island in the world? then the answer is Greenland. Greenland with a total area of 2,130,800 square kilometers is the largest island in the world. It is located between the Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean. One of the best places to see the northern lights, Greenland is the territory of Denmark.
The 80 percent area of Greenland is covered with ice and glaciers. There are only 57600 persons living on this island. There are no roads connecting the towns of Greenland. Greenland has the second-largest ice sheet in the world just behind Antarctica. The island was discovered by Viking’s in the 10th century. Also, Greenland is among the countries with the longest coastlines.
Related: Top 10 Largest Seas and Oceans in the World
2. New Guinea Island- 785,753 km2
The New Guinea Island exists in the western Pacific Ocean and it is the second-largest island with an area of 785 square kilometers. The island comes under two countries. The western part comes under Indonesia, and the eastern part comes under Papua New Guinea. The New Guinea Island has a vast deposit of Gold and Copper.
You must also know about beautiful lakes around the world. The New Guinea Island has a maximum number of beautiful bird species that exist on this earth. There are many smaller groups of the island on Papua New Guinea that includes Bismarck Archipelago, New Britain, New Ireland, and the North Solomons. Some of these are unexplored and volcanic.
Related: 10 Most Amazing Man-Made Islands
3. Borneo Island- 748,168 km2
Borneo Island exists in the west mid-Pacific Ocean. This is the third largest island in the world after Greenland and New Guinea. Borneo Island is the only island in the world that is administered by three countries. The three countries are Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. The majority of the portion comes under Indonesia. Borneo Island is the third largest island in the world, and it has almost doubled the land as of Germany.
The highest peak in Southeast Asia namely Mount Kinabalu is located on this island only. The rainforest of Borneo Island is one of the oldest among all the rainforest. The rainforest of Borneo island is one of the oldest in the world date back to 130 million years. Also, there are around 200 different ethnic groups in Borneo. We also recommend you to read about a few beautiful lakes around the world.
4. Madagascar Island- 587,041 km2
Madagascar Island exists on the East Coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. It is the fourth largest in the world with an area of 587,713 square kilometers. It is considered that Madagascar Island was formed 88 million years ago by its separation from the Indian subcontinent. There are approximately about 250000 species found on this island.
The unique fact is that 70 percent of animals found nowhere else in the world. This island is also called an alternate world. You will also like reading fascinating waterfalls in India. The cat-like looking lemurs are only found in the forests of Madagascar Island. All plants and animals found on this island are unique to this island and Madagascar is known for two seasons a dry cooler season that starts in May and will end in October and the second one is the hot rainy season which starts in November and last until April.
Also Read: Top 10 Deadly Islands In The World
5. Baffin Island- 507,451 km2
Baffin Island located in Canada. It is the largest island of the Canada country with 507,451 square kilometers in area. Baffin Island is extremely cold Island with an average temperature of -8 degrees Celsius. Baffin Island is named after the person who explored Britain William Baffin. There are many famous species of animals that live here like Polar bears, Arctic wolves, and lemmings.
The Baffin Island has two National Parks namely Sirmilik and Auyuittuq. There are many glaciers that lie in these national parks. It is also one of the remote islands due to the unfriendly climate. The heavy snow can hot this reason at any time in a year. The yearly temperature of the island is around 14.9 degrees F
You can also read: Top 10 Best Islands in Greece To Visit
5. Sumatra Island- 443,066 km2
- Sumatra Island located in Indonesia. It is the fifth-largest island in the world with 480,848 sq. Km of land. Sumatra Island is also the second-largest island in Indonesia. Sumatra Island has very frequent earthquakes and Tsunamis. The reason behind this is that Island is located in the subduction zone of Indo-Australian and Eurasian tectonic plates.
The most region of the island is covered with the dense rainforest. Sumatra Island is also home to many endangered species. The species are a Sumatran tiger, Sumatran orangutan, Sumatran Rhinoceros, and Sumatran Ground-cuckoo. You must also know about the longest rivers in the world along with the largest islands.
7. Honshu Island- 225,800 km2
Honshu Island is the largest island in Japan. It has a wide area of 225,800 square kilometers. The island is also unique since it covers 60 percent of the land cover of Japan. There are five important cities in Japan that come under this island. They are Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Yokohama, and Osaka.
The Honshu island is the second most populated island and one of the largest Islands of the World after Java. Japan’s highest mountain Mount Fuji is located on Honshu island only. It has the largest lake in Japan namely Lake Biwa. It is also listed under beautiful lakes around the world.
8.) Victoria Island- 217,291 km2
Victoria Island is located in Canada. It is the second-largest island of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. It has a total area of 217291 square kilometers. The Island was explored by Thomas Simpson, who is also known for the explorer of the Arctic region. It was discovered in 1838. As the name suggests, the Island was named after Queen Victoria. According to the 2006 census, only 1875 human life on this vast island. Also, please read about the beautiful glaciers in the world.
9. Great Britain Island- 209,331 km2
Great Britain Island located in The Northwest of the European continent and considered one of the largest Islands of the World. It has an area of 209331 square kilometers which is making it the largest island in Europe and the ninth-largest in the world.
It is part of three regions England, Scotland, and Wales. Great Britain has pleasant and nice weather throughout the year. Great Britain is also the most populated region of Europe. It is considered that Human inhabitation started 500000 years ago on this Island.
10. Ellesmere Island- 196,236 km2
The Island is located in the Nunavut province of Canada and one of the largest islands of the world. It has a total area of 196,236 square kilometers. It is the third-largest island in Canada and the tenth-largest island in the world. Ellesmere Island comprises many ice fields and mountains. It is considered that Ellesmere Island has remains of the last Ice age. We have also listed a few endemic animals of the Galapagos Islands. Ellesmere Island has the highest peak of Nunavut province at an altitude of 2616 meters.
11. Sulawesi- 180,681 km2
The eleventh largest island in the world with an area of 180,681 km2 know for its different shape and it is dominated by four peninsulae that include the Semenanjung Minahassa, the East Peninsula, the South Peninsula, and the South-east Peninsula, however, the central part is mostly mountains and hence these Peninsulas have been remote to each other. Some of the highest peaks of the islands Mt. Rantemario (11,286 ft) and Mt. Rantekombola (11,335 ft).
12. South Island- 145,836 km2
Also known as Te Waipounamu is larger of the two islands in Newzealand, however, other being the smaller but more populous North Island. The larger island has a 32 percent larger landmass than the North Island and hence it is popular as the “mainland” of New Zealand. The 12th largest island in the world covers approximately 145,836 km2 area and known for its temperate climate.
13. Java- 138,794 km2
The 13th largest island in the world with an area of 138,794 km2 has a population of 136 million. One of the densely populated islands in the world is inhabited by 60% of Indonesia’s population and the capital city Jakarta is situated in western Java. Talking about history, Java was the center of Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms and the Islamic Sultanate. Also, it is the heart of the colonial East Indies and the center of the Indonesian independence campaign.
14. North Island- 111,583 km2
Also known as Te Ika-a-Māui is the 14th largest island in the world with an area of 111,583 km2 and it is one of the most popular islands of New Zealand. The island is separated by much less populous South Island by Cook Strait. The population of the island is approximately 3,596,200 and there are twelve main urban areas located on the island that includes Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua, Gisborne, New Plymouth, Napier, Hastings, Whanganui, Palmerston North, and Wellington. Wellington is the capital city situated on the south-west extremity of the island.
15. Luzon- 109,965 km2
The largest Philippine island is the 15th largest island in the world with an area of 109,965 km2. The island is situated on the northern part of the archipelago and along with Visayas and Mindanao, it is collectively known as Luz Luzon, Vi for Visayas and Minda for Mindanao. The largest population of the country is located on the island of Luzon making it the country’s economic and political center.
These are the largest islands in the world. Do post your comments.
