Incredible facts

It is incredibly difficult to calculate the total number of islands on our planet.

Every year new islands appear in the world, but the largest islands still remain in their places.

Here you can learn about both the world's largest islands and the largest island states ah and even the largest lake islands.

NOTE: Australia is still considered more of a continent than an island, but if we consider it an island, then it is the most big Island on Earth, with an area of ​​7,618,493 sq. km.

1. Greenland Island

On our planet the most big island Greenland thinks. Its local name is Kalallit-Nunaat. The area of ​​the island is 2,166,086 square meters. km.

Population (2016): 57,728 people.

Highest point: Gunbjorn (3,700 meters).

Region: Greenland.

A country: Denmark.

Facts about Greenland

* The capital of Greenland, Nuuk, is the smallest capital city in the world. Its population is only 15,105 people (as of July 2009).

* It is believed that Greenland was inhabited in prehistoric times by various Paleo-Eskimo groups. However, archaeological research suggests that the Inuit settled here around 2500 BC.

* The first Europeans arrived here in 985. They were Norwegians and Icelanders. They were called the Norwegian Greenlanders.

You can find out the most interesting things about the beautiful island of Greenland just below or by clicking HERE .

2. Island of New Guinea

Area – 785,753 sq. km.

Highest point: 4884 meters.

Population (2010): 9,500,000 people.

Countries: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea.

Facts about New Guinea

Mount Bagan - active volcano. Height 1730.

* The western part of the island of New Guinea is located on the territory of Indonesia, and its eastern part is located on the territory of the state of Papua New Guinea.

* New Guinea is the largest island divided between countries.

* It is home to 11,000 species of plants, 600 rare species of birds, more than 400 species of amphibians, more than 450 species of butterflies, and approximately 100 species of mammals.

* In ancient times, this island was connected to the Australian continent.

* New Guinea was discovered for Europe in the 16th century by Spanish and Portuguese sailors.

* The island received its name from the Spanish navigator Inigo Ortiz de Retes. When he arrived on the island in 1545, it seemed to him that the local people were very similar to the aborigines who live in African Guinea.

3. Borneo Island

Area - 748,168 sq. km.

Archipelago: Malay Archipelago.

A country: Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia.

Highest point: Mount Kinabalu, 4095 meters.

Population (2010): 19,800,000 people.

Facts about Borneo Island

* On this island grows the world's largest flower - Rafflesia, the smell of which, according to local residents, is similar to the smell of a decomposing corpse.

* Borneo has a tropical forest that is more than 130 million years old. It is home to many species of rare animals: the Sumatran rhinoceros, Asian elephant, Bornean clouded leopard and others.

4. Madagascar Island

Area - 587,713 sq. km.

A country: Madagascar.

Highest point: 2961 meters.

Population (2008): 20,042,552 people.

Facts about Madagascar

* Millions of years ago, Madagascar was part of the same land, Gondwana, and about 60 million years ago, this island was the first to separate from the mainland and thereby became the first island on our planet.

* The first people came to Madagascar about 2000 years ago.

* The first European to notice this island was the Portuguese navigator Diego Diaz. This happened at the beginning of the 16th century, and after that Madagascar became one of the most important trading points on the way to India.

*Malagasy, French and English are spoken on the island.

* Since the island is rich in iron and aluminum, it was nicknamed the Great Red Island.

* The country of Madagascar ranks first in the cultivation and export of vanilla.

5. Baffin Island

Area - 503,944 sq. km.

A country: Canada.

Region: Nunavut.

Highest point: 2147 meters.

Population (2007): 11,000 people.

Facts about Baffin Island

* Baffin Island is a very cold and virtually uninhabited place.

* Thor Peak, named after the Norse god, can be found here. It is worth noting that Thor Peak is the highest cliff on our planet.

* Baffin Island was named after the famous British explorer William Baffin, who first described the island in 1616. It is believed that Baffin is its discoverer.

* More than half of the island's territory is located beyond the Arctic Circle. For this reason, there are polar days and nights here.

6. Sumatra Island

Area - 443,066 sq. km.

A country: Indonesia.

Highest point: 3800 meters.

Population (2010): 50,600,000 people.

Facts about Sumatra

* The island is home to the Toba volcano, which is believed to have caused the last ice age. About 70,000 years ago, this volcano exploded and released thousands of cubic kilometers of ash into the air, obscuring the rays of the Sun for many years. Today, in the caldera of the Toba volcano there is a beautiful lake of the same name, and in its center there is another island - Samosir, inside which there is also a lake - Sidokhni.

* Scientists believe that the eruption of the Krakatoa volcano on the island led to the formation of a strait between the islands of Sumatra and Java. In 1883, the volcano exploded and, together with the island on which it was located, they sank to the bottom of the sea. Today in its place there is a new mountain- Anak-Krakatoa (“Child of Krakatoa”), which grows 7 meters every year.

* Batak tribes still live on the island. Before the adoption of Christianity, these tribes were cannibals.

* The most expensive coffee in the world, Kopi Luwak, is grown here in Sumatra. The fact is that there is only one animal on the island - the kopi luwak, which loves coffee berries. Of course, he chooses only the best berries. They are not completely digested by kopi-luwak. Locals they are collected, washed and roasted to create coffee.

7. Honshu Island

Area - 225,800 sq. km.

A country: Japan.

Highest point: 3776 meters.

Population (2010): 100,000,000 people.

Facts about Honshu Island

* On the island of Honshu there is Mount Fuji - the symbol of the land of the rising sun.

* Earthquakes are common here since Honshu is located at the intersection of 3 formation plates.

* The largest Japanese cities in Japan are also located here - Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Kyoto.

8. UK Island

Area - 229,957 sq. km.

Archipelago: British Isles.

A country: Great Britain.

Regions: England, Scotland, Wales.

Highest point: 1,344 meters.

Population (2011): 61,371,315 people.

Facts about Great Britain

* Great Britain is also called Albion, as it was previously known as the land of albinos. The Romans called the British Isles with the word “Britain” (lat. Britannia), which is where the name of this island came from. But they decided to add “Great” to the word “Britain” so that the country would be listed as a political unit. Today we have the island of Britain and a geopolitical unit called Great Britain.

* The Prime Meridian intersects the axis of the Greenwich Observatory located in London.

* Since the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a single state, then any person living on its territory can be called “British”, even if he is from Scotland or Northern Ireland.

9. Victoria Island

Area - 220,548 sq. km.

A country: Canada

Regions: Nunavut, Northwest Territories

Highest point: 665 meters

Population (2001): 1707 people.

Facts about Victoria Island

* Thomas Simpson was the first to discover this island in 1838. The British explorer decided to name the island in honor of the English Queen Victoria, who was also the Queen of Canada from 1867 to 1901.

* Here is the largest island within an island within an island.

10. Ellesmere Island

Area - 183,965 sq. km.

A country: Canada

Region: Nunavut.

Highest point: 2616 meters

Population (2006): 146 people.

Facts about Ellesmere Island

* Island decorated big mountains and ice fields. Ellesmere is the highest mountain part of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.

* The island has been shrouded in ice since the last ice age, but only 1/3 of its territory is covered by glaciers.

10 largest island states in the world

1. Indonesia - 1,912,988 sq. km.

2. Madagascar - 587,041 sq. km.

3. Papua New Guinea - 462,840 sq. km.

4. Japan - 377,837 sq. km.

5. Philippines - 300,000 sq. km.

6. New Zealand- 270,534 sq. km.

7. UK - 242,910 sq. km.

8. Cuba - 110,860 sq. km.

9. Iceland - 103,000 sq. km.

10. Ireland - 70,273 sq. km.

10 largest volcanic islands

These islands were formed as a result of volcanic eruptions at the bottom of the sea.

1. Sumatra, Indonesia - 473,481 sq. km.

2. Honshu, Japan - 225,800 sq. km.

3. Java, Indonesia - 138,794 sq. km.

4. Northern, New Zealand - 111,583 sq. km.

5. Luzon, Philippines – 109,965 sq. km.

6. Iceland – 103,000 sq. km.

7. Mindanao, Philippines - 97,530 sq. km.

8. Hokkaido, Japan – 78,719 sq. km.

9. New Britain, Papua New Guinea – 35,145 sq. km.

10. Halmahera, Indonesia – 18,040 sq. km.

10 largest lake islands

1. Manitoulin, Lake Huron, Canada - 2,766 sq. km.

2. René-Levasseur, Manicouagan Reservoir, Quebec, Canada – 2,000 sq. km.

3. Olkhon, Lake Baikal, Russia - 730 sq. km.

4. Isle Royale, Lake Superior, Michigan, USA - 541 sq. km.

5. Ukerewe, Lake Victoria, Tanzania - 530 sq. km.

12/1/2015 at 00:40 · Pavlofox · 27 620

Top 10 largest islands in the world

An island is a piece of land separated from other continents. There are more than half a million such land areas on planet Earth. Moreover, some may disappear, others may appear. So the youngest island appeared in 1992 as a result of a volcanic eruption. But some of them are striking in their scale. In the ranking largest islands in the world the 10 most impressive positions in .

10. Ellesmere | 196 thousand sq. km

Opens ten largest islands on the planet. Its territory belongs to Canada. It is the third largest island of this state with an area of ​​just over 196 thousand sq. km. This piece of land is located north of all the Canadian islands. Due to severe climatic conditions it is sparsely populated by people (the average number of inhabitants is 200 people), but is of great value to archaeologists, since the remains of ancient animals are constantly being found there. The land has remained covered in ice since the Ice Age.

9. Victoria | 217 thousand sq. km

Ninth place among the most large island ov on earth takes . Like Ellesmere, Victoria belongs to the Canadian Islands. It got its name from Queen Victoria. The land area is 217 thousand sq. km. and is washed by the waters of the Arctic Ocean. The island is famous for its numerous lakes fresh water. The surface of the entire island has virtually no elevations. And only two settlements are located on its territory. The population density is very low, as just over 1,700 people live in this zone.

8. Honshu | 28 thousand sq. km

Eighth in the ranking largest islands located, belonging to the Japanese archipelago. It covers an area of ​​228 thousand sq. km. The largest Japanese cities, including the capital of the state, are located on this island. The most high mountain, which is the symbol of the country - Fuji is also located on Honshu. The island is covered with mountains and has many volcanoes, including active ones. Due to the mountainous terrain, the climate on the island is very changeable.
The area is densely populated. According to the latest data, the population is about 100 million people. This factor puts Honshu in second place among the islands in terms of population.

7. UK | 230 thousand sq. km

, ranked seventh on the list largest islands in the world by area, is also the largest among British Isles and in Europe as a whole. Its territory occupies 230 thousand sq. km., where 63 million people live. Great Britain owns the bulk of the United Kingdom. The high population makes Great Britain the third largest island in the world in terms of population. And this is the most densely populated region in Europe. The capital of the Kingdom, London, is also located on the island. The climate is more temperate than other lands in this natural area. This is due to the warm Gulf Stream current.

6. Sumatra | 43 thousand sq. km

settled in sixth position in the ranking largest islands on the planet. The equator divides Summata into two almost equal halves, so it is located in two hemispheres at once. The island's area is more than 443 thousand sq. km., where more than 50 million people live. The island belongs to Indonesia and is part of the Malay Archipelago. Sumatra is surrounded by tropical vegetation and washed by warm waters Indian Ocean. It is located in an area of ​​frequent earthquakes and tsunamis. Sumatra has large deposits of precious metals.

5. Baffin Island | 500 thousand sq. km

Opens the top five largest islands. This is also the largest island in Canada, whose territory exceeds 500 thousand sq. km. It is covered with numerous lakes, but is only half populated by people. The population of the island is only about 11 thousand people. This is due to the harsh climatic conditions of the Arctic. The average annual temperature remains at -8 degrees. Here the weather is dictated by the waters of the Arctic Ocean. Baffin Island is cut off from the mainland. The only way to get to the island is by air.

4. Madagascar | 587 thousand sq. km

Next on the list the most impressive islands in terms of area - Madagascar. The island is located east of Africa, it was once part of the Hindustan Peninsula. They are separated from the mainland by the Mozambique Channel. The area of ​​the site and the state of the same name Madagascar is more than 587 thousand sq. km. with a population of 20 million. Locals call Madagascar the red island (the color of the island's soil) and the wild boar island (due to its large wild boar population). More than half of the animals found in Madagascar cannot be found on the mainland, and 90% of the plants are found only in this geographic area.

3. Kalimantan | 748 thousand sq. km

Third level of rating largest islands in the world occupied with an area of ​​748 thousand sq. km. and with 16 million inhabitants. This island has another common name - Borneo. Kalimantan occupies the center of the Malay archipelago and belongs to three states at once: Indonesia (most of it), Malaysia and Brunei. Borneo is washed by four seas and covered with dense tropical forests, which are considered the oldest in the world. The most important attraction of Borneo is high point South-East Asia- Mount Kinabalu with a height of 4 thousand meters. The island is rich natural resources in particular, diamonds, which gave it its name. Kalimantan means diamond river in the local language.

2. New Guinea | 786 thousand sq. km

- second place on the list largest islands in the world. 786 thousand sq. km. located in the Pacific Ocean between Australia and Asia. Scientists believe that the island was once part of Australia. The population is approaching 8 million people. New Guinea is divided between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. The name of the island was given by the Portuguese. "Papua", which translates to curly, refers to the curly hair of the local Aboriginal people. There are still places in New Guinea where no man has ever been. This place attracts flora and fauna researchers, as they can meet rare species of animals and.

1. Greenland | 2130 thousand sq. km

The largest island in the world is Greenland.. Its area exceeds the area of ​​many European countries and amounts to 2130 thousand sq. km. Greenland is part of Denmark, and several dozen times larger than the mainland of this state. Green, as this island is also called, is washed by the Atlantic and Arctic oceans. Because of weather conditions most of it is uninhabited (about 57 thousand people live) and is covered with ice. Glaciers contain huge reserves of fresh water. In terms of the number of glaciers, it is second only to Antarctica. Greenlandic national park considered the northernmost and largest in the world.

Readers' Choice:

As you know, an island is considered to be any piece of land completely surrounded by water. However, not all land areas that are in water can be classified as islands. In addition to the latter, there are also continents and continents, the most famous of which is certainly Australia. The total area of ​​this continent (not to be confused with the island) is approximately 7,600,000 square meters. km.

The TOP 5 largest islands in the world presented below include islands whose area is noticeably smaller than Australia, but no less impressive.

The largest islands in the world: Greenland

So, the largest island of our planet, whose name literally translates as “ green country", is Greenland. Located in the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, 80% covered eternal ice, the autonomous Danish territory has a temperate climate and with total area 2,131,500 km². Known for its white nights, northern lights and local Eskimos, Greenland is also famous for its large reserves of natural resources (oil, gas). The main occupation of the island's 57 thousand population is fishing.

The largest islands in the world: New Guinea

The second largest island in the world by area is New Guinea. Washed by the waters Pacific Ocean island located between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, was discovered by the Portuguese in 1526. They also gave it its original name “Papua”, which means “curly” in Malay. The island owed this name to the dark-skinned aborigines with curly, thick hair who inhabited it at that time. Today New Guinea is tropical island with a total area of ​​786,000 km2 and real paradise for tourists. Despite a large number of the most different types plants, birds, mammals and amphibians living on the island, scientists are still discovering new species of various representatives of the animal and plant world in New Guinea. It is worth noting that most New Guinea animals are not at all afraid of people, so they can be easily picked up.

The largest islands in the world: Kalimantan

It is not for nothing that Kalimantan takes an honorable third place in the TOP 5 largest islands in the world. This island, also known as Borneo, has an area of ​​737,000 km². Kalimantan is washed simultaneously by four seas and two straits. Unlike Greenland, 80% of Kalimantan's entire territory is covered by tropical forests. In this connection, the island’s timber industry is extremely developed and brings considerable income to the three states located on its territory. In addition to the forest, Kalimantan is also known for its large reserves of oil, gas and diamonds, the extraction of which has been actively carried out here for centuries, as clearly evidenced by the name of the island (translated from Malay, Kalimantan means “diamond river”).

The largest islands in the world: Madagascar

The fourth place in our ranking is the island of Madagascar, recently known from the cartoon of the same name. The entire territory of the island (587,040 km2) is occupied by the sovereign state of the Republic of Madagascar. The island is rich in minerals, including gold and iron rocks; more than 80% of all animals living in Madagascar are exclusively representatives of the local fauna. Due to the fact that the island was inhabited for a long time by a large number of wild boars, the local natives called it “Madagascar” (“Boar Island”).

The largest islands in the world: Baffin Island

Canada's largest island, Baffin Island, located west of Greenland, rounds out the TOP 5 largest islands in the world. And at the same time the most interesting places, where you need a wedding photographer for your personal event! Due to the harsh climatic conditions, despite its vast territory - 508,000 km², the population of Baffin Island is just over 11 thousand people. The island got its name from the famous English traveler and explorer William Baffin, who was the first to describe the island in the 17th century. An interesting fact is that, despite the ubiquitous human presence on the remaining islands, the central part of Baffin Island has not yet been fully explored, which means that there are places on the island where no human has ever set foot.

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The largest island in the world is Greenland. All researchers and scientists unanimously came to this conclusion as a result of numerous expeditions and analysis of available data. By a strange coincidence, the island with the largest area is less than half populated. The thing is that 80–85% of the territory of Greenland is covered with eternal ice, the thickness of which reaches several kilometers. The spacious territory allows villages and cities to be located here at a significant distance. The most interesting thing is that, between settlements there is absolutely no transport system. There are no railroad tracks or highways.

Despite the rather cold climate and monotony of the surrounding landscape, the largest island is very popular among tourists. They come here to get vivid impressions, to see the stunningly beautiful " northern lights"and long "white nights".

The most common occupation of local residents is fishing, processing and selling. This remains the main activity of the entire (almost 60 thousand population). In addition to fish, the island has a large number of polar predators. There are plants that are not afraid of the cold.

Temperature fluctuations on the island are quite significant. At the height of summer it’s +10 degrees, and in winter it can be minus 45. Under the thickness of the ice they hide large reserves oil and gas. Recently, their development has been actively pursued.

The largest island in the world belongs to Denmark and is washed on both sides by the oceans - the Atlantic and the Arctic. The capital of Greenland is the city of Nuuk, which is also the largest on the island, which is also Autonomous Okrug Denmark.

It is believed that Greenland is the final point of any round the world tour. Experienced travelers say that those who have not been to Greenland have not seen anything interesting. After all, every self-respecting tourist is obliged to conquer the cold, but at the same time beautiful island. One more interesting fact It is believed that the literal translation of the word Greenland is “green land,” but in fact there is practically no greenery there.

The next largest island is rightfully occupied by the Pacific New Guinea. It has gained its popularity among tourists due to its warm climate, rich colors and rich flora and fauna. Dendrologists, ornithologists and entomologists have been studying the island's animals and plants for years. However, every year more and more new representatives of flora and fauna appear on the largest island.

New Guinea was discovered in the 16th century, but until 1871 it was practically not visited. The inhabitants of the island had a reputation as cannibals, and there were no people willing to visit this green kingdom. Only in 1871, thanks to the efforts of the Russian scientist Miklouho-Maclay, the attitude towards the islanders changed.

It is worth keeping in mind that the inhabitants of this island come from a variety of nationalities. Even though the large island is now constantly welcoming tourists, in its depths live tribes who have never encountered light-skinned people. By the way, Papuans consider white people dangerous. That is why a tourist trip can be filled with real adrenaline.

Green Kalimantan

The third largest island in the world is Kalimantan. It is also known as Borneo. Its territory also has a uniform cover, but, unlike Greenland, it is green forests and tropics. Centuries-old, majestic trees decorate the entire island. This makes it possible to develop the forestry and woodworking industries. In addition, the island has serious oil and gas deposits. All this makes a significant financial contribution to the three states between which its territory is divided. Another profitable industry here is the long-term mining of diamonds, of which there is quite a lot on the island. This direction made it possible to call Borneo the “diamond river”.
The flora and fauna here are very diverse. It is in Kalimantan that one of the most beautiful plants grows - the black orchid.

The majority of the island's inhabitants are Chinese, Malaysians and aborigines (who live according to the customs of their ancestors). In general, residents have a fairly positive attitude towards tourists and prove themselves to be hospitable hosts.

Madagascar – a paradise for holidaymakers

Biggest tourist island- Madagascar. Its population is more than 20 million people. Geographically, it is located in eastern Africa, located in the tropical zone, and has a warm climate. The island is famous for its breathtaking sunsets. There are also several dozen small but very beautiful waterfalls here.

Local residents call their homeland “boar island” or “red island”. The last name is associated with the color of the soil. Its fauna is very diverse. Many rare exotic animals and insects live there. It is a paradise for scientists and researchers. Lives in the tropics of Madagascar rarest species spiders, from whose webs various items of clothing are woven.

Residents of Madagascar engage in hunting and fishing. Animal meat is eaten, but special preference is given to turtles. Its turtle meat produces extraordinary dishes that have become a source of pride for local cuisine.

Baffin Island - rugged beauty

The largest Canadian island in the world can be called Baffin Island. A huge area, more than 500,000 square km and very few people living here (about 12 thousand people). This situation is due to the fact that the island is located in the Arctic Ocean and has a rather cold climate. You can get here only by air, and you can only do hunting or fishing there. There are quite a lot of fresh lakes on the island, some of which are quite large.

Harsh climatic conditions do not affect the fact that the island is visited by tourists. Local residents managed to create all the necessary conditions for extreme tourism. In addition, there is a certain number of people who want to celebrate a wedding or other celebration in such unusual conditions.
This largest and coldest island in the world has historical park. It contains various household items from all tribes and peoples who lived in the harsh terrain.

Each island has a number of advantages and features. On some it is a hot climate, beautiful beaches and the purest ocean water, and on others stunning animal world and rare natural phenomena. It is impossible to say which island is better. They are all large, mysterious and fascinating. The same applies to the population. On all the islands, the indigenous people have their own cultural characteristics, interesting traditions and customs.

There are countless islands in the world. They differ from each other geographical location relatively, methods of formation and sizes. On island territories accounts for 6% of the Earth's land area. No matter how large the islands are, they are significantly smaller than the smallest mainland. This article provides a list and short description the ten largest islands on the planet in order of increasing area.

10. Ellesmere

Area 196,235 km². The island is located in northern Canada. The length is 830 km, width -645 km. Ellesmere's origin is continental, it lies on the Canadian geological shield. Most of The island is covered with glaciers; Hazen is located in the northern part. The vegetation is dominated by mosses and lichens; trees and shrubs are absent. The fauna is represented by polar hares and Caribou Piri deer. During the summer, many birds nest on the island. The population does not exceed two hundred people. The island belongs to Canada.

9. UK

Area 209,331 km². The island is located in the northeast Atlantic and is of continental origin. Forests occupy a tenth of the territory. The most common forests are pine and birch. Currently, the island is home to 56 species of mammals. The territory belongs to the state of Great Britain, and is inhabited mainly by the English, Scots, Irish and Welsh.

8. Victoria

Area 217,291 km². Like Ellesmere, Victoria is located in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The length of the island is 700 km, and the width varies from 564 to 623 km. By origin Victoria is mainland island. Vegetable world scarce due to harsh climatic conditions. You can find mosses, lichens, and non-flowering plants. Victoria is home to polar bears, arctic foxes, and musk oxen. Seabirds nest on the coast. The population is represented by Eskimos; Anglo-Canadians and French-Canadians serve at the border outpost. The island belongs to Canada.

7. Honshu

Area 225,800 km². Honshu is one of the four major islands of Japan. The length is 1300 km, the width ranges from 50 to 230 km. The island was formed due to the activity of underwater volcanoes. The flora of subtropical forests grows on Honshu: pine, cypress, thuja, oak. In the northern part you can see maple, linden, elm, and ash. The small composition of the animal world is explained by the isolation of the island from the continent. Honshu is home to brown bears, raccoon dogs, wild boars, badgers, and foxes. The population is more than one hundred million people. The island belongs to Japan.

6. Sumatra

Area 473,481 km². The island is located in Western Indonesia, it is part of the Malay Archipelago. Its length is 1790 km and its width is 435 km. By its origin, Sumatra is an oceanic island. Due to the humid climate, rainforests. Oak, laurel, chestnut, ficus and palm trees grow in them. The fauna is very diverse. There are 196 species of mammals and 250 species of reptiles. The territory is densely populated; Indonesians, Thais, Chinese, and Vietnamese live here. Sumatra belongs to Indonesia.

5. Baffin Island

Area 507,451 km². The territory is located in northern Canada. Like other islands of the Canadian Archipelago, Baffin Island is of continental origin. Due to the cold climate, the flora is quite sparse. The animal world is represented by seals, walruses, arctic foxes, lemmings, reindeer and polar bears. The territory belongs to Canada. The majority of the population are Eskimos. English-Canadians and French-Canadians come on duty.

4. Madagascar

Area 587,041 km². The territory is located off the southeast coast of Africa. The length exceeds 1500 km, the width is 400 km. The island is of mainland origin. Millions of years ago, Madagascar separated from the continent of Gondwana. A tropical climate prevails here. The island has preserved unique representatives of flora and fauna. The symbols of Madagascar are baobabs, fire trees, and pandanuses. Lemurs are considered the most recognizable animals on the island. The entire territory of the island is under the control of the Republic of Madagascar. The majority of the population is Malagasy.

3. Kalimantan

Area 743,330 km². The island is located in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The length is approximately 1100 km. Kalimantan was formed as a result of the movement of continents, and is of continental origin. The average annual temperature is +26°C. The island has high humidity and it rains often. These conditions made it possible for numerous plants to develop. There are 2,000 species of trees and palms here. The island is home to rhinoceroses, elephants, and tapirs. Unique animals are flying dogs, dwarf anoa bulls, and Malayan bears. The world of birds and reptiles is diverse. Kalimantan is shared between Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. More than three hundred ethnic groups live on the island.

2. New Guinea

Area 785,753 km². The island is located in the western Pacific Ocean. The length exceeds 1600 km, and the maximum width is about 700 km. New Guinea is of continental origin. The island is dominated by evergreen savannas. Ficus, bamboo, mango, and breadfruit grow in them. There are many reptiles, crocodiles, chameleons, and alligators in New Guinea. The world of mammals has 180 species, most of them are. The island is shared between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Most of the population is Papuans.

1. Greenland

Area 2,130,800 km². Greenland is located northeast of and is the largest island on Earth. The length of the island is 2600 km, width - 1200 km. The island is of mainland origin. The subarctic climate on the coasts turns into a marine one. In the south you can see dwarf birch, rowan and willow. Closer to the north, the surface is covered with mosses and lichens. Among the animals, the musk ox is isolated, polar bear, polar wolf, arctic fox. Walruses and harp seals set up rookeries on the coasts. Bird markets are organized by eider ducks and gulls. The island belongs to Denmark. The population, represented by the Greenlandic Eskimos, lives on the west coast.