Hello friends. Today I made a selection with the largest islands in the world. I'm not going to make a long introduction, but let's get straight to the interesting one.
The world's largest island - Ice Greenland
The largest island in the world settled down among arctic ice North America. This is Greenland, covering an area of 2,130,800 km². The territorially described island belongs to Denmark and is its independent unit.
And, although the name "Greenland" is translated as " green Island», There is practically no vegetation here, in addition, it is very cold in Greenland. In winter, the air temperature can drop to -50 ° C, and in summer to -12 ° C, so only 56,295 people live on this section. 7% of the surface of the entire territory is occupied by ice, the thickness of which reaches 3 km.
The capital of the largest island in the world is the city of Nuuk, whose name translates as “city good hope". Greenland's main attraction is the world. And the most unusual national treasure is a toy - tupilak, created by local Eskimos from walrus skin and tusks and symbolizing an evil spirit - the lord of the northern ice.
Mysterious New Guinea
New Guinea- a huge island located in the west The Pacific... Its area is 786,000 km², the size of the island is the second largest on the planet and is one of the five largest islands in the world. Geographically, this piece of land is part of two different states. The western part belongs to Indonesia, and the eastern part is a separate state of Papua New Guinea.
This island is the most mysterious and least explored in the world. The local population is represented by thousands of different tribes, which until recently did not even know about the existence of each other. The flora and fauna of one of the largest islands on the planet are still poorly understood. The city of Tufi is rightfully considered the world capital of diving, its beauty underwater world will not leave indifferent even the most sophisticated diver.
Local residents live by their own laws - the most unusual in the world. For example, the law on witchcraft states that a person who considers himself bewitched does not bear consequences for his actions. On the territory of New Guinea, there are 18 active volcanoes, ancient power which is worshiped by the local population.
Borneo Island (Kalimantan)
The third largest island on the planet is Borneo (Kalimantan), which covers an area of 734 km². This island is located in the heart of the Malay Archipelago and is the only island belonging simultaneously to three different states: Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. Historically this island was discovered by the navigator Magellan in 1521, but ancient writings indicate that life on this land area existed long before that.
At the beginning of the 13th century, the island natives were actively engaged in the spice and fish trade with neighboring states. The main part of the island is covered mountain ranges and the jungle, and the millennial forests are the oldest in the world. Plants and animals, which are the most predatory on the planet, have been recorded on the territory of the island.
Borneo is home to the world's largest orangutan, and some species of giant plants are able to eat not only an insect, but also a large predator. The main attraction of Borneo is the suspended cable car, 480 m long and 20 m high. It is from this height that all the beauties of this wild land are revealed.
Majestic Madagascar
The fourth largest island on the planet belongs to the incredible Madagascar. The described island state covers an area of 587,000 km². A unique feature of Madagascar is the presence of absolutely amazing plants and animals that live on the island.
For several decades, world scientists have been trying to comprehend the secrets of the amazing state and study its nature, nevertheless, the amazing Madagascar surprises with new wonderful discoveries every time.
The island is home to over 30 species of lemurs. The local population considers this animal sacred. According to legends, the soul of a deceased person is transferred to a lemur and continues on its way on Earth.
The harshest island
Closes TOP of the largest islands in the world- the island of Baffin's Land, located in, and occupying an area of 507,451 km². Due to the harsh climate, the population of the described island is only 11,000 people. The nature of the Arctic north is mesmerizing with its beauty.
Local Inuit people travel by sled dogs and snowmobiles. And amazing reindeer move around the city quite calmly, without fear of people. The island natives have their own language and sacredly honor the traditions of their ancestors, however, they are very literate and intellectually developed inhabitants, fluent in several languages and developing infrastructure in such a harsh climatic conditions.
16/01/2018 28/07/2019 TanyaVU 771
This article lists the largest islands on Earth, some of which, in terms of area and population, could well go down to an entire continent. Most of the islands in this ranking are well known, but there are some that you might not have heard of. The islands on this list are distinguished by their special flora and fauna, peculiar only to them, which attracts tourists from all over the world and allows them to be considered as honeymoon destinations.
10. Ellesmere Island, Arctic Ocean
With an area of 122,000 sq. km:
- the tenth largest island in the world,
- third in Canada,
- most north island Arctic archipelago.
Most of Ellesmere Island is covered by the famous mountain range Cordillera. Second by size national park Canada is located on this island.
9. Victoria Island, Arctic Ocean
This island is located in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Victoria Island has an area of 135,000 sq. km and is the second largest in Canada. It is named after Queen Victoria and is amazing in its beauty. The island boasts a mild climate and offers tourists an escape from the hectic world in the midst of wild nature.
8.Great Britain, coast of Northwest Europe
Most big Island British Isles, it covers an area of 143,000 square meters. km. The UK had approximately 61 million inhabitants in 2011, making it the third most populous island after Java and Honshu. It is surrounded by 1000 small islands and is famous for its history, magnificent architectural monuments and excellent ecology.
7. Honshu, Japan Pacific Sea
Honshu is the most populous island in Japan... Pay attention to . It includes the largest cities in Japan:
- Kyoto,
- Tokyo,
- Osaka.
It is the second most populous island after Java. According to 2005 estimates, the population was 103 million. The island is almost 1,300 km long and 50 to 230 km wide, with a total area of 143,500 sq km, about 60% of the total area of Japan.
6. Sumatra, Northeastern Indian Ocean
This island, located in Western Indonesia, is part of the Sunda Islands. Sumatra covers an area of 294,283 square kilometers and has a population of over 50 million. Medan - The largest city island, has 4,300,000 inhabitants... Its landscapes are overshadowed by two geographic regions: the marshy plains in the east and the Barisan mountains in the west.
The wild and mountainous island has great natural resources. The main attraction of Sumatra is natural beauty: volcanoes, lakes and jungles.
5. Baffin's Land, North Atlantic Ocean
The largest Canadian island, which lies in Nunavut. Its area is 315,312 sq. Km, the population in 2007 was about 11,000 people. Alpine mountains are different high peaks and ridges, however, plateaus are also present. The Barnes and Penny ice caps are the largest on the island. Baffin's Land is a spectacular wilderness, an exciting home for the Eskimos and an arctic land open to the brave and the extreme.
4. Madagascar, Indian Ocean
This island is island nation v Indian Ocean, officially known as the Republic of Madagascar ( formerly Malagasy Republic). It covers an area of 434,500 sq km, making it the 47th largest country in the world and the fourth largest island.
Due to its long isolation from the adjacent continents, it is home to animals and plants that do not exist anywhere else. Various ecosystems of the island are endangered due to the emergence of environmental hazards.
3. Borneo, West Central Pacific
It is not only the third largest island in the world, but also the largest in Asia. It is split between three countries:
- Indonesia,
- Malaysia,
- Brunei.
Almost 73% of the island is the territory of Indonesia. This island is home to one of the world's oldest rainforest species (about 140 million years old). Borneo has an area of 462,365 sq km, which is 1% of the world's land but contains almost 6% of the world's biodiversity. Amazing land like an island in the clouds.
2. New Guinea, Pacific Southwest
The second largest island, located in the Southwest Pacific Ocean, covers an area of 138,500 square meters. km. The population of the island is 11,306,940 people. The land on it contains an uninterrupted chain of mountains with peaks over 4,000 meters, which are crowned with ice caps.
The country's climate is mostly tropical, with an average annual maximum temperature between 30 and 32 degrees in the lowlands. While daytime temperatures in the highlands are generally above 22 degrees all year round. The island is distinguished by colossal biodiversity, it contains more than 5% of the total number of species inhabiting our planet.
1. Greenland, North Atlantic
Greenland is the largest non-continental island in the world. Located within the Arctic belt. The island has an area of 3.5 million square meters. km, but is the least densely populated country with a population of 56,452 people. Greenland is an independent country within the Kingdom of Denmark... More than three-quarters of the island is covered by the only modern ice sheet outside Antarctica.
The islands are the most exciting and mysterious geographic objects... Imagine: a piece of land surrounded on all sides by water. You can sail or fly on it and live in complete solitude, regardless of civilization. Perhaps it was this that attracted and attracted people at all times.
Suffice it to recall how many times they were mentioned in art: Mysterious Island, Dr. Moreau Island, Treasure Island, Avalon, uninhabited island Robinson Crusoe, Neverland ... But few of them can contain as many secrets and mysteries as the real ones. And the larger the island, the more of those secrets and mysteries in it. And just imagine how much the largest islands can accommodate ... So we will talk about them today.
Greenland, 2 130 800 km²
This very large island surpasses most modern states in area. It is only three times smaller than Australia, albeit the smallest, but still a continent.
This geographical miracle belongs to Denmark, which is several times smaller than its island, it occupies an area of slightly more than 43 thousand square kilometers. Such an island could significantly increase the area of the state, if not for its climate and relief: more than 80% of its area is covered with an ice sheet. Which is not surprising, given that it is located in close proximity to the North Pole and is washed by the waters of the Arctic and partially - Atlantic oceans.
And this is not photoshop
This makes it one of the most beautiful, majestic, vibrant - and uninhabited places in the world, only 15 thousand people live there. The landscapes of Greenland take your breath away, they are so beautiful. But few people will be able to live there, because even in summer the temperature rises slightly above zero. And there is nothing to say about winter, -40-50 degrees is normal.
Nevertheless, tourists from all over the world come here to admire the scenery, see with their own eyes majestic ice, to observe the living worlds of this harsh, inhospitable, but such a beautiful island. Especially good for this summer months when you can admire the white nights.
New Guinea, 786,000 km²
New Guinea is a completely different matter, because this large island is completely located in the western part of the Pacific Ocean. Tropical climate, vibrant, varied and rich nature, warm sea, exotic tribes - this island can offer everyone an entertainment to their liking.
Interestingly, New Guinea is one of the few islands divided between states. Some of this beauty went to Papua new guinea, part - Indonesia. Each of these states would like to get everything, but even half is not bad either.
There is even a volcano of its own
New Guinea can be called one of the last unexplored corners of the world on Earth. Only recently have scientists discovered an area on the island that they called New Eden. Here they were awaited by dozens of unknown or previously considered extinct species of animals and plants. Interestingly, the inhabitants of this Garden of Eden were not at all afraid of people.
Kalimantan, 743 330 km²
Another champion island, which occupies an honorable third place thanks to its 743,330 square kilometers of area. In terms of area, it lagged slightly behind New Guinea, but not in the beauty of the landscapes and the richness of nature.
Its area is divided between three states: Indonesia got more than 70%, Malaysia took almost the entire remainder, and Brunei received only a small plot.
If there is paradise on Earth, then, probably - here
The equator passes through Kalimantan, and its climate is appropriate - humid and hot. Therefore, more than 80% of its area is occupied by wild tropical forests, which are home to the same wild tribes of bounty hunters. True, now they have become more civilized, they do not rush to tourists, but they are happy to show them combat dances and sell souvenirs.
Madagascar, 587,041 km²
What modern person has not heard of Madagascar? Since the release of the animated film of the same name, this largest island in the Indian Ocean has become a dream for many travelers.
The main attraction and wealth of Madagascar is its inhabitants. Flora and fauna are 80% endemic - species that are found only here and nowhere else. Numerous lemurs (and their Majesty King Julian!), Giant fossas, bats and common mice, geckos, chameleons and turtles - botanists and zoologists are thrilled with delight, publishing research after research. But still, there are regular reports of the discovery of another new species.
But even if the animal and vegetable world you are not too interested in beaches with crystal clean water will be given for real paradise vacation.
Baffin's land, 476,000 km²
This cold and inhospitable island rounds out the five largest islands in terms of area. But in terms of climate, it rather resembles the first - the same frosty and windy, but mesmerizing and attractive with its harsh beauty.
Cold, windy, frosty, uncomfortable. But how beautiful!
Like many others big islands, it is populated extremely poorly. It is home to only about 15 thousand people who could call it home.
This island belongs to Canada, but besides the Canadians, other "inhabitants" also live here - the Scandinavian gods. Mount Tora is one of the highest precipices in the world. It is unlikely that the thunder god really lives on this peak, but who forbids thinking so? And there is nothing to say about the Asgard Mesa.
Of course, these are not all of the largest islands. They are scattered all over the world, some belong to Indonesia, others to Japan. Smaller ones are scattered all over the world. But each of them has its own special nature, its own character and its own soul.
It would be even more interesting to visit the largest peninsula, but this is the goal for the next trip. And it will definitely be, but a little later.
December 28, 2013
Big islands
There are many different islands on our huge planet. The islands, as everyone knows, are surrounded by water on all sides. In fact, there are a lot of islands on Earth, even more than several tens of thousands.
The largest island is a planetary landform or the so-called continents, continents.
They can also be located one by one, since Sri Lanka is located. If the islands are located very close to each other, then they are called archipelagos. If the land area is small, then it is called an island.
Here are some of the largest islands:
Greenland - 2,176 thousand kilometers
New Guinea - 829 thousand kilometers
Kalimantan - 734 thousand kilometers
Madagascar - 590 thousand kilometers
Baffin's Land - 507 thousand kilometers
Sumatra - 435 thousand kilometers
Honshu - 230 thousand kilometers
Great Britain - 244 thousand kilometers
Victoria - 221 thousand kilometers
Ellesmere - 203 thousand kilometers
Greenland, New Guinea, Kalimantan
Greenland is the largest island on this list. It is located northeast of North America... This is already a territory that is independently administered and is part of Denmark. The length of the island is quite large - 2,690 kilometers from north to south, and a width of 1,300 kilometers. The area of the entire island is 5.6 thousand square kilometers. In Greenland animal world not rich at all. It is inhabited by such animals as: reindeer, polar bear, ermine, hare, lemming. It happens that very rarely even wolves can meet. The following animals are found in the water near the island of Greenland: black halibut, striped catfish, cod, flounder and several other species of fish. Shrimp can often be seen. It also happens that you can see some of the species of beluga whales, narwhal and walrus.
New Guinea is the second largest island after Greenland. He is the most unique and beautiful island on earth, there are more than 1000 indigenous languages.
This island is located in the Pacific Ocean, slightly north of Australia and connects Asia and Australia. New Guinea is very large in size, which is divided between countries. This island is inhabited by 5.6 million people. All residents speak English language and it is official. The vegetation there is very good, there are 11 thousand species, including 2500 species of unique orchids and 1200 trees. About 500 species of different birds, 400 amphibians, 180 mammals and 450 butterflies live here, so the fauna is quite diverse.
Kalimantan is the largest of the Sunda Islands. Its area is approximately 734 thousand square kilometers. Kalimantan is the oldest island in the Malay archipelago. There are absolutely no volcanoes on this island, and is a bit like a fold of the earth's crust.
Madagascar, Baffin Land, Sumatra, Honshu
Madagascar is another island that ranks among the largest islands. The length from north to south is about 1600 kilometers, and from west to east 580 kilometers.
Judging by its size, it will be larger than France, Belgium, Holland and even Luxembourg. There are several other small islands near the northern part of the island.
Island Baffin's Land - got its name in honor of the navigator of the ship. The monetary unit on this island is the Canadian dollar.
Sumatra is one of the largest islands in Indonesia, which is known for its dark sand, ruins of ancient temple complexes. The climate on this island is quite hot and humid. There are many attractions on it: crocodile farm, picturesque canals of Palembang, green mountain valleys.
Honshu is the largest island in the Japanese archipelago. The climate on this island is monsoon, moderate in the north and subtropical in the south.
80 percent of Japan's population lives here. There are many different attractions collected here. There are many natural parks on this island that are striking in their beauty.
Every year new islands appear in the world, but the largest ones still remain in their places. Below is a list of the ten largest islands in the world by area.
Ellesmere - 196,236 km sq.
Ellesmere is the northernmost Canadian island, with a total area of 196,236 km2. sq. It is the third largest island in Canada and the tenth in the world. Despite the huge territory, according to data for 2006, only 146 permanent residents live on the island, in three settlements- Gris Fjord, Alert and Eureka.
Victoria Island - 217,291 km. sq.
Victoria is the second largest island in Canada and the ninth in the world (according to various sources, it is the eighth or ninth). Located in the Arctic Ocean and located in the southwestern part of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The island was named after Queen Victoria of England in 1839. It is home to 1707 people (2001).
Honshu - 227,970 km. sq.
Honshu is the largest island in Japan (approximately 60% of the entire country). Located south of Hokkaido Island. Honshu has a population of about 100 million in 2010, making it the second most populous island in the world (after the Indonesian island of Java).
Great Britain - 229 848 km. sq.
Great Britain is the largest british isles extending northwest of mainland Europe. 95% of its entire territory is divided between England, Scotland and Wales, which are part of the United Kingdom. It has a population of about 63 million people and ranks third in the world in terms of population after the islands of Java and Honshu.
Sumatra - 480 848 km. sq.
Sumatra is the sixth largest island in the world. Fully part of Indonesia. The number of inhabitants living on the island as of 2010 is more than 50 million people, making it the fourth largest island in the world in terms of population.
Baffin's Land - 507,451 km. sq.
Baffin's Land is an island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. It is the largest island in Canada and the fifth largest island in the world. It is home to just over 11,000 people (as of 2007) in eight settlements, the largest of which is Iqaluit.
Madagascar - 587,713 km. sq.
Madagascar is a large island located in the Indian Ocean, near east coast Africa. Although Madagascar is located not far from Africa, the flora and fauna of the island is unique - it contains 5% of all species of flora and fauna in the world, 80% of which exist only on this island.
Kalimantan (Borneo) - 748 168 km. sq.
Kalimantan or Borneo is the third largest island in the world and the largest island in Asia. Located in the center of the Malay Archipelago in South-East Asia... Divided between Indonesia (73%), Malaysia (26%) and Brunei (about 1%). The island is home to one of the oldest rainforests in the world. Has 19,800,000 inhabitants (as of 2010), most of who live in coastal cities. The population density in Borneo is 26 people per square kilometer.
New Guinea - 785,753 sq. km.
New Guinea is the second largest island on earth, located in the western Pacific Ocean north of Australia. Divided approximately equally between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The current population of the island is about eleven million (2015). It has large natural reserves of oil, gold, copper and other ores.
Greenland - 2,130,800 sq. km.
Greenland is the largest island on Earth. Located in the northeast of North America and washed by the Atlantic and Arctic oceans. It is part of Denmark as an autonomous unit. The population of the island as of July 2010 is 57,600 people.
