79 is the largest island on earth. The largest island in the world. Greenland is the largest island on Earth
There are a great many islands on the world map. Namely, about 500 thousand. They are all completely different sizes. There are small ones that can literally fit a couple of people.
But there are also those whose area is comparable to entire countries. What are the largest islands in the world?
Ellesmere
Canada's Ellesmere Island is the third largest in the country (after Baffin Island and Victoria). And it is one of the ten largest islands on the planet. Ellesmere's area is 196 thousand square kilometers. Very few people live in this territory - only 170.But traces of prehistoric inhabitants were often found on it. Ellesmere itself is located in the north of the country, further than the other Canadian islands. However, it belongs to the province of Nunavut. Moreover, it is part of the Queen Elizabeth Islands. Ellesmere is washed on all sides by the Arctic Ocean.
Victoria
Victoria occupies ninth position in the list of the largest islands. The island is located in Canada and, naturally, occupies a larger area than Ellesmere. Namely, a little more than 217 thousand square kilometers. For a more visual representation, Victoria is about 500 kilometers in width and length. Exactly 1,707 people live on the island. That is, each person has a fairly impressive landmass. There are very few hills on the island, and all of them are no more than one kilometer above sea level. 
Victoria, like Ellesmere, belongs to the province of Nunavut, as well as the Northwest Territory of the Arctic Archipelago of Canada. The island boasts only two settlements - Holman and Cambridge Bay. On land there are numerous lakes, including Taha, Tahiryuak and Ferguson.
Honshu
This is the largest island of the Japanese archipelago. And it is the eighth largest on the planet. The area of the island of Honshu is almost 228 thousand square kilometers. And on this territory (which, by the way, is not too strikingly different from Victoria Island) 103 million people settled. However, this is not surprising for Japan. By the way, Honshu occupies a little more than half of the territory of the entire country. The island has a mountainous terrain. In addition, there are quite a lot of volcanoes on it. The mountains dictate their weather conditions, so in the southeast and northwest the difference in climate is obvious. It is worth noting that the largest mountain and the permanent symbol of Japan is located on Honshu - Fuji. Its height is 3 kilometers and 776 meters.UK Island
Great Britain is the largest island of the British Isles. The land area is about 230 thousand square kilometers. And 60 million people live here. 
England, Scotland, Wales - Great Britain contains most of the entire United Kingdom (its area is 244 thousand square kilometers). The highest point on the island reached 1,344 meters into the sky.
Sumatra
The sixth largest island is called Sumatra. The equator divided it into two almost identical parts. Therefore, it turns out that the island is located in both earth’s hemispheres. Sumatra is located in the west of the Malay Archipelago and belongs to Indonesia. Its area is 473 thousand square kilometers. Lives in an area of 50 million people. The coastline of Sumatra is almost unbroken; near the coast you can see beautiful coral reefs.Baffin Island
From the equator we will be transported again to the Arctic Ocean. It is home to the fifth largest island in the world. Its name is Baffin Island. This island is Canadian territory. And it is the largest of the country's islands. The area of Baffin Island is 507 thousand square kilometers. And most of the land now remains uninhabited. This happened due to unfavorable weather conditions. In total, 11 thousand people live on the island. The people mainly settled in the province of Nunavut. By the way, there are many freshwater lakes on Baffin Island. Two of them are of impressive size. These are Nettilling and Amajuaq.Madagascar
The island of Madagascar is located east of Africa. Its area is 587 thousand square kilometers. And this allows the island to take fourth place in the list of the largest islands in the world. 20 million people live in this paradise. 
They thrive in tropical climates. Madagascar is separated from the mainland by the Mozambique Channel. By the way, local residents nicknamed their homeland the island of boars.
Kalimantan
Malay Borneo or Kalimantan. It is the third largest island in the world. It is located in southeast Asia in the very center of the Malay Archipelago. The island's area is about 743 thousand square kilometers (about 16 million people settled on it). The land was divided among three states: Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia. Most of Kalimantan is under Indonesia (which is divided into four provinces). But the part that belongs to Malaysia is divided into two states.New Guinea
So, the second largest island on Earth. This is New Guinea with an area of 786 thousand square kilometers. 7.5 million people found their homeland here. The island is located in the Pacific Ocean and is a link between Asia and Australia. New Guinea is separated from Australia only by the Torres Strait. 
The island is divided equally between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. It is worth noting that the Indonesian part belongs to Asia.
Greenland
Well, the largest island in the world. Greenland has a record size - 2 million 131 thousand square kilometers, but not a record population - more than 57 thousand people. And not surprisingly, most of the land is occupied by glaciers, which make it difficult for people to live on the territory.Greenland. The largest island in the world
The shores of the island are washed by two oceans: the Atlantic and the Arctic. Greenland belongs to Denmark and is an autonomous unit. The largest settlement on the island is Nuuk. It is located in the western part. Well, the highest point in Greenland, Mount Gunbjorn, rises to 3 thousand 383 meters. By the way, until 1921 it was believed that a cape called Morris Jesup on the island was the closest part of the land to the pole.
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Finding out the exact number of islands on Earth is difficult. It is believed that there are about 2000 islands in the world. They differ from each other in size, topography, climate, flora and fauna. The largest island in the world is named Greenland.
The largest island is Greenland
This autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark is least densely populated area in the world. The population density of the island 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 (Kalaallits) or descendants of mixed marriages between Danes and Eskimos. In 2009, the Greenlanders gained the status of a separate people, and Denmark was assigned the protection of Greenland and the management of foreign affairs.
“Sandwiched” 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 place for adventure tourism.
Total area of Greenland
Greenland covers 2,130,800 km². Moreover, 81% of the island area is covered by ice cover. If we imagine that this ice completely melted, this would lead to a rise in global sea level by 7 meters.
Where did the name "Greenland" come from?
This name, which is more reminiscent of “false advertising,” has generated controversy among researchers. Some believe that at the time of the discovery of Greenland, the local climate was much milder, and the coastal areas in the southwest of the island were generously covered with vegetation, while others believe that the name “Greenland” was chosen by the discoverer Eirik the 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 dates back to the 13th century, and it is believed to have been supplemented by various authors. Therefore, one can be skeptical about this explanation of the name “Greenland”.
But Iceland was much more unlucky than Greenland. This land, washed by the warm Gulf Stream, was called “ice” 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 ranking of the largest islands on Earth opens with the Indonesian beauty, which is one of the most popular tourist destinations. It offers excellent conditions for diving in coral thickets, clean beaches, exotic fauna and lush tropical forests. Those who are more interested in architecture and culture than nature can visit the Rotterdam Fort, the palace and tomb of the Govan kings and take part in the magnificent local ceremonies.
The main religion of the island is Islam, so 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 resemble an orchid on the map.
9. Ellesmere – 183965 km²
Like another participant in 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 sparsely populated - only 146 people. It is also the most mountainous island in the Canadian Arctic archipelago and quite inhospitable, so it’s hardly worth going here for entertainment.
8. Great Britain - 209331 km²
Is the largest island in Europe. Its territory includes England, Scotland and Wales.
Great Britain is a less impressive island than most of the islands on this list. There are no active volcanoes, exotic flora or ferocious animals on its territory. But it does have rolling hills, rocky coastlines, picturesque villages and the best tea in the world.
7. Victoria – 217291 km²
The largest island in the world, of those that are entirely within the Arctic Circle. However, despite its size, Victoria Island is surprisingly small, with fewer than 2,000 people living there.
Instead of people, Victoria was overrun by tens of thousands of caribou and musk oxen, both of which are endemic to Canada.
6. Honshu – 225800 km²
Honshu is the largest of Japan's four main islands. It is also the most densely populated island on the list of the largest islands in the world. The population of Honshu is 103 million people.
It is the second most populous island on Earth after the Indonesian island of Java with its 139 million inhabitants. This is not surprising, given that the metropolis of Tokyo, home to 38 million Japanese, is located on Honshu.
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 – 443066 km²
Eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis are typical for Sumatra, but this does not stop tourists from wanting to experience the wild and mysterious nature of the jungle. Orangutans, tigers, rhinoceroses and elephants inhabit the forests of Sumatra, and picturesque beaches will provide rest for weary travelers. Water sports are also very developed in Sumatra, 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 them 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 to study nature, which is almost untouched by human influence.
3. Madagascar – 587713 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 animal and plant species.
2. Borneo – 743330 km²
The world's third largest island after Greenland is made up of three countries, although about 73% of Borneo is Indonesian territory. The sovereign state of Brunei makes up just one 1% of the island, and the remaining territory is Malaysian.
Borneo is home to one of the oldest tropical forests in the world. It is also home to many exotic and rare wild animals: proboscis monkeys, gibbons, Malayan bears and saltwater crocodiles that lie in wait in the waters of the South China Sea.
1. New Guinea – 785,753 km²
On this island is the highest mountain in Oceania - Jaya.
New Guinea is also a world-famous diving destination, with excellent diving conditions throughout most of the year.
The underwater world is teeming with colorful corals and colorful fish. And after World War II, a large number of shipwrecks remained in the waters near the island.
List of islands by area, comparison table
| № | Island | Area (km²) | A country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greenland | 2130800 | Greenland, autonomous province of Denmark |
| 2 | New Guinea | 785753 | Indonesia and Papua New Guinea |
| 3 | Kalimantan | 748168 | Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia |
| 4 | Madagascar | 587713 | Madagascar |
| 5 | Baffin Island | 507451 | Canada |
| 6 | Sumatra | 443066 | Indonesia |
The largest island on Earth is Greenland. The population of Greenland consists of Greenlandic Eskimos and emigrated Norwegians and Danes. The indigenous inhabitants of the island are called Inuit. Their main language is Greenlandic, and Danish is popular among expats. The Inuit living in the north of the island still maintain a long tradition of building igloos.
Islands of the world
Which island is the largest on Earth? There are a lot of islands on our planet, but only four of them are truly amazing in size:
- Greenland. Greenland is the largest island in Europe and the world. It is located in the northeast of North America and is washed by two oceans. Greenland is an autonomous unit subordinate to Denmark.
- New Guinea. The main advantage of Guinea is not the nature and rich fauna, but the culture of the various tribes living on the island.
- Kalimantan. The island is divided between three states.
- Madagascar. Madagascar is an island country known throughout the world for its unique animals and rich flora. A third of the entire territory is occupied by highlands. There are many extinct volcanoes on the island, and earthquakes sometimes occur.
The largest island on Earth and the first settler
Erik the Red is a simple Norwegian Viking. Despite the severity that is attributed to the Scandinavians, he was an easy-going and peaceful person. As the legend goes, Eric saw that his friend had ruined the path running near his house. For this, the Viking killed his neighbor with a shovel. The act did not go unpunished. Eric was sent from Norway to a strange and deserted island in the Arctic Circle.
Eric didn’t want to live alone on a huge island, so he decided to attract more people here. For this he named the island Greenland, or Greenland. As soon as Eric's exile came to an end, he returned to Norway and began actively inviting people to the island with him. He described Greenland to everyone as the most beautiful place on the planet.
Independent republic
Until the end of the 13th century, the island of Greenland was an independent territory, but soon the population recognized the King of Norway as their overlord. In return, the crown promised to supply the island with products and materials that the inhabitants could not obtain or produce on their own. Despite the vassalage, the island had its own customs and laws, different from European ones.
After some time, Denmark began to lay claim to the largest island. The territorial claims were quite justified, since not all Norwegians were able to adapt to the difficult climate, so many Danes came to the island. In 1536, Norway and Denmark united into one country, and Greenland was legally assigned to Denmark.
Greenland is the largest island on Earth
The area of Greenland is 2,130,800 km². Due to the large extent of the island, the climate of one part is radically different from the climate of the other. Not everywhere in Greenland is cold: in some places in the summer the temperature rises above +20 °C, although on average it rarely exceeds 0 °C. In winter, the temperature drops below –20 °C. Very cold winds blow near the coast, and in summer it is covered with fog.
Despite the fact that the island is called Green Land, there is no place to develop agriculture here. People mainly engage in fishing or hunting animals, and here live: polar bear, arctic fox, and reindeer. The island exports:
- Cod.
- Shrimp.
- Salmon.
Greenland is the largest island on Earth, rich in minerals. The following is mined on the island:
- Lead.
- Tin.
- Coal.
- Copper.
The colorful expanses of Greenland attract tourists from all over the world. You can enjoy the amazing landscapes and beauties of the island at any time of the day. One of the most famous natural phenomena is the northern lights. It is best observed from early autumn to mid-spring.
Flora and fauna of the island
The largest island on Earth by area has a fairly sparse variety of vegetation. But the fauna is impressive: it is rich and unique. The area of Greenland is huge, but there is no railway on it, and the length of all highways is 150 km. The most convenient way for the local population is to use dog sleds.
The largest island on Earth can hardly be called a favorable land for living, traveling or exploring, but the beauty of the Arctic nature will not leave anyone indifferent. This helps to survive all the hardships of harsh life on the island and not entirely suitable conditions for relaxation.
Greenland Population: 58 thousand | Area: 2,130,800 km²
Greenland is the largest island on Earth. Its area is 2,130,800 km2. The island is washed by two oceans: the Arctic and the Atlantic. It is part of the autonomous unit of Denmark - Greenland. The largest settlement is called Nuuk, located in the western part of the island. The highest point in Greenland (Mount Gunbjorn) with an altitude of 3,383 thousand meters. Until 1921, Cape Morris-Jesup was considered the closest landmass to the North Pole.
Population: 7.5 million | Area: 786,000 km²
New Guinea is the 2nd largest island, with an area of 785,753 km2, located in the Pacific Ocean. New Guinea links Australia with Asia. In turn, the island is separated from Australia by the Torres Strait. New Guinea is divided almost equally between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. The Indonesian part belongs to Asia. This island is the largest of all the islands divided between countries.
Population: 16 million | Area: 743,330 km²
The third largest island, Kalimantan (or Malay Borneo), has an area of 748,168 km2. This sea island is divided between 3 states: Indonesia, Brunei and Malaysia. Kalimantan is located in southeast Asia in the center of the Malay Archipelago. Most of the island belongs to Indonesia and is divided into 4 provinces. The part that belongs to Malaysia, in turn, is divided into 2 states.
Madagascar Population: 20 million | Area: 587,041 km²
Next on the list of the largest islands in the world is Madagascar. This island has a tropical climate and is located close to the east of Africa. The Mozambique Channel flows between the mainland and the island. Its dimensions are approximately 1600 km in length and 600 km in width, with a total area of 587,713 km2. The island is occupied by the state of Madagascar, whose capital is Antananarivo. And local residents call their corner of space the island of wild boars.
Population: 11 thousand | Area: 507,451 km²
We are transported to the Arctic Ocean and find the fifth largest island there, called Baffin Island. The island belongs to Canada and is the largest of the country's islands. The area of the island is 507,451 km2. Most of it remains uninhabited due to bad weather conditions. The island's population lives in the Canadian province of Nunavut with its capital Iqaluit. It is noteworthy that the island has many freshwater lakes, the two largest of which are Nettilling, with an area of 5,542 km2, of which only 5,050 km2 is occupied by water, and Amajuaq - 3,115 km2 with a water surface of 3,058 km2.
Population: 51 million | Area: 473,000 km²
The sixth largest island, Sumatra, is divided by the equator into almost equal parts, as it is located in both hemispheres of the Earth. The island is located in the west of the Malay Archipelago. Belongs to the group of large Sunda Islands, to which small islands are adjacent. Sumatra has an area of 443,066 km2 and belongs to Indonesia. Its coastline is slightly indented, and there are coral reefs near the coast.
Great Britain Population: 60 million | Area: 229,848 km²
The largest island of the British Isles is Great Britain. Its area is 229,848 km2. Wales, Scotland and England - Great Britain contains most of the entire United Kingdom. The area of the entire kingdom is 244,100 km2. The length of the coastline of the island from south to north is 966 km, and the width is 483 km. The highest point on the island is 1,344 meters.
Honshu Population: 103 million | Area: 227,962.59 km²
The largest island of the Japanese archipelago and the eighth largest in the world is the island of Honshu. Its area is 227,970 km2, which in turn is equal to 60% of the area of all of Japan. It is slightly smaller than the British Isles. Honshu has a mountainous terrain, and among the mountains there are many volcanoes. The mountains are responsible for the climatic difference in the southeast and northwest of the island. The largest mountain, which is the permanent symbol of Japan, is Fuji with a height of 3,776 meters.
Ellesmere is also an island in Canada, it is the third largest after Baffin Island and Victoria, and is also included in the list of the largest islands in the world and is located in tenth place. The island is located in the north, further than all the other islands of Canada, but still belongs to the province of Nunavut and is also part of the Queen Elizabeth Islands. The area of the island is 196,236 km2, the highest point is 2,616 m. The population of Ellesmere is extremely small, but traces of prehistoric animals have often been found there.