List of islands by area

This list includes all islands (insular landmasses) in the world larger than 1,000 km2 (390 sq mi). For size and location reference, the four continental landmasses are also included. All landmasses are arranged in descending order.

Dymaxion map (Fuller map) with continental landmasses (I, II, III, and IV) and largest islands (1–30) roughly to scale
Map of the world showing the 25 largest islands (insular landmasses)

Continental landmasses

Continental landmasses are not usually classified as islands despite being completely surrounded by water. However, because the definition of continent varies between geographers, the Americas are sometimes defined as two separate continents while mainland Australia is sometimes defined as an island as well as a continent. Nevertheless, for the purposes of this list, mainland Australia along with the other major landmasses have been listed as continental landmasses for comparison. The figures are approximations and are for the four major continental landmasses only.

Islands

Islands 100,000 km2 (38,600 sq mi) and greater


Islands 25,000–99,999 km2 (9,700–38,600 sq mi)

Islands 10,000–24,999 km2 (3,861–9,652 sq mi)

Islands 5,000–9,999 km2 (1,931–3,861 sq mi)

Islands 2,500–4,999 km2 (965–1,930 sq mi)


Islands 1,000–2,499 km2 (386–965 sq mi)



See also

Notes

  1. The United States Geological Survey is a notable exception. The United States-based scientific agency considers all landmasses surrounded by ocean water, including continental mainlands, as islands. Under their definition, Africa, Australia, Eurasia, North America, and South America are classified as continental mainland islands.
  2. Physiographically, there are only four continents (including offshore continental islands which sit on the nearby continental shelves) that are completely surrounded by water: Afro-Eurasia (57% of the global land area), the Americas (28.5%), Antarctica (9%), and Australia (5%). The remaining 0.5% is made up of remote oceanic islands, mostly scattered within Oceania in the central and south Pacific Ocean.
  3. Including landmasses which are above water and over 2,500,000 km2 (970,000 sq mi). The submerged continent of Zealandia (approx. 5,000,000 km2 (1,900,000 sq mi)) is excluded.
  4. Figure derived from the Global Islands Explorer website, by adding the areas of mainland Africa (29,370,907 km2 (11,340,171 sq mi)) and mainland Eurasia (50,439,819 km2 (19,474,923 sq mi)).
  5. Egypt has a small portion of its land located on mainland Eurasia. Equatorial Guinea's capital city is located on an island.
  6. Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Turkey each have a small portion of their land located on continental Europe. Malaysia has a significant portion of its land located on an island.
  7. Abkhazia and South Ossetia are both located south of the Greater Caucasus watershed, and thus they are geographically parts of Asia.
  8. Russia has a big portion of its land located on continental Asia. Denmark's capital city is located on an island.
  9. Figure derived from the Global Islands Explorer website, by adding the areas of mainland North America (20,090,075 km2 (7,756,821 sq mi)) and mainland South America (17,609,548 km2 (6,799,084 sq mi)).
  10. Depending on the definition, a significant portion of Panama (land east of the Panama Canal) could be considered a part of mainland South America.
  11. Area of mainland Antarctica, without the ice shelves and nearby islands.
  12. Seven countries have made eight territorial claims. All territorial claims in Antarctica are in abeyance under the Antarctic Treaty System.
  13. Figure derived from the Geoscience Australia website, the area of mainland Tasmania (64,519 km2 (24,911 sq mi)) has been deducted. The Global Islands Explorer website has given a slightly larger figure of 7,618,696 km2 (2,941,595 sq mi) for the area of mainland Australia.
  14. A dispute exists between the governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom concerning the sovereignty over the Falkland Islands. The disputed territory is described as "Falkland Islands (Malvinas)" by the United Nations.

Citations

  • Haug, Per Ivar (August 2005). "Islands of Greenland". Gazetteer of Greenland. Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Archived from the original on 15 June 2011.
  • "Islands by Land Area". Island Directory Tables. United Nations Environment Programme. 18 February 1998.
  • "The Atlas of Canada". Natural Resources Canada. 4 June 2015.
  • "World Island Information". Joshua Calder. 2010.

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