Islands are among Earth’s most diverse and fascinating environments, ranging from icy Arctic expanses to tropical rainforests teeming with life. While continents like Australia are much larger, these ten islands stand out as the biggest landmasses surrounded entirely by water.
Each of these islands represents a different region, climate, and culture. Some are bustling centers of civilization, while others remain vast wildernesses of glaciers, forests, and mountain ranges. Together, they tell a global story of geography, biodiversity, and human history.
Here Are the Top 10 Largest Islands in the World
1. Greenland
Location: North Atlantic / Arctic
Area: 836,330 sq mi (2,166,086 sq km)
Greenland is the world’s largest island, covered mostly by ice sheets and surrounded by cold, icy seas.
2. New Guinea
Location: Southwest Pacific
Area: 317,150 sq mi (821,400 sq km)
Shared by Papua New Guinea in the east and Indonesia in the west, New Guinea is known for its extraordinary biodiversity.
3. Borneo
Location: Southeast Asia
Area: 288,869 sq mi (748,168 sq km)
Divided among Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei, Borneo is home to tropical rainforests and endangered wildlife such as orangutans.
4. Madagascar
Location: Indian Ocean
Area: 226,657 sq mi (587,041 sq km)
Off the coast of Africa, Madagascar is famous for its unique species, 90 percent of which are found nowhere else on Earth.
5. Baffin Island
Location: Canadian Arctic
Area: 195,928 sq mi (507,451 sq km)
The largest island in Canada, Baffin Island features rugged terrain, fjords, and Arctic wildlife such as polar bears and caribou.
6. Sumatra
Location: Indonesia
Area: 171,068 sq mi (443,066 sq km)
One of Indonesia’s major islands, Sumatra is home to rainforests, volcanoes, and critically endangered species like the Sumatran tiger.
7. Honshu
Location: Japan
Area: 87,992 sq mi (227,898 sq km)
The largest island of Japan, Honshu is home to most of the nation’s population and major cities including Tokyo and Osaka.
8. Victoria Island
Location: Arctic Ocean / Canada
Area: 83,896 sq mi (217,291 sq km)
Victoria Island lies in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and is known for its tundra landscapes and extreme climate.
9. Great Britain
Location: North Atlantic / Europe
Area: 80,823 sq mi (209,331 sq km)
Great Britain includes England, Scotland, and Wales, forming the largest part of the United Kingdom and a hub of European culture and history.
10. Ellesmere Island
Location: Arctic Ocean / Canada
Area: 75,767 sq mi (196,236 sq km)
Remote and glaciated, Ellesmere Island is the northernmost major island of Canada and one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth.
People Also Ask
Why is Australia not on the list of islands?
Australia is considered a continent due to its massive size, distinct geology, and continental shelf, not an island.
What is the most populated island in the world?
Java, Indonesia, is the most populated island, though it is smaller than those on this list.
Which island has the most biodiversity?
New Guinea and Madagascar are recognized for their remarkable biodiversity and high number of endemic species.
Are ice-covered areas included in an island’s size?
Yes. Permanent ice, such as that covering Greenland, is included in the total area measurement of islands.
Which of these islands has active volcanoes?
Sumatra, Honshu, and New Guinea all contain active volcanoes due to their locations along tectonic plate boundaries.
