Island states of Europe, Asia, America. List of island states of the world. The most beautiful island nations in the world

When hearing about islands, most people think of places that are beautiful and sunny, surrounded by the sea on all sides. Are there many of them, island states, in our world? Actually, yes, a lot. And they all share one feature, which we will discuss below.

What is an island state?

If you look at the world map, then such states look like islands of strawberry (or another, what do you like?) Jam in a bowl of semolina. It is not surprising that many people like the islands, the word “island” alone captivates the imagination - it seems that they are different from all other countries, because they are isolated, which means they are original by definition. What is an island state? This is a state that is located on one or more islands and at the same time has no connection with the continent. It would be logical to think about how an island state differs from others? It's simple - the lack of land borders with mainland countries.

Important: island states that do not have access to the sea do not exist, that is, they are all in the sea, which follows from the very definition of the word "island". An island is a piece of land located in the sea or ocean, water surrounds this area from all sides, even during its high tide, the island continues to rise above it. The small size is the main difference between the island and the mainland (continent). But, speaking of islands and island states, it should be noted that these are not identical concepts. An island state may consist of several islands, and an island may not be an island state at all, but simply be part of a country. For example, the most big Island– Greenland is an autonomous unit, owned by Denmark. On the other hand, for example, Australia is generally considered a continent (and not an island) because of its size, but the state located there has no land borders.

Island states - list

There are now 194 autonomous states in the world, 47 of them are islands. island states there are almost all parts of the world - in Europe, Asia, America, Africa and Oceania. Let's talk about island countries ah, grouping them by location.

Europe

European island states are located in the Northern Hemisphere of the Earth, there are not so many of them, but among them there are countries that can surprise travelers extraordinary nature, stunning architecture, cultural and historical heritage and the possibility of a wonderful holiday on the beach.

Great Britain– large state, which occupies the seventh place in terms of area among the island. The capital of the United Kingdom, London, is one of the world's major financial centers, this fact attracts millions of businessmen and business people there. The country itself is characterized by the presence of a market economy, which is partly regulated by the authorities. Great Britain attracts tourists from all over the world due to the beautiful nature, interesting history and architectural masterpieces. Who doesn't dream of walking across Tower Bridge, visiting medieval Pembroke Castle or seeing almost all of London from the Mary Ax skyscraper?
Ireland- this island nation occupies the largest part of the island of Ireland, the rest belongs to the UK. Ireland is considered an environmentally friendly place, which is often called the "Emerald Isle" due to the huge number of national parks and an abundance of vegetation that remains green throughout the year. The country is popular with tourists, especially during traditional holidays such as St. Patrick's Day.
Iceland- "ice" country, located in the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean. Interestingly, the name does not define the climate at all, it is not so cold in Iceland: in the summer in Reykjavik, the thermometer shows the standard 20 degrees. The weather is very changeable local residents there is a popular proverb: “If you don’t like the weather, then it’s worth waiting for some five minutes, and it will become much worse.” Fans of ecological and exotic recreation come to Iceland, as its nature is unique, it has everything: mountains, forests, waterfalls, lakes, glaciers, fjords, volcanoes and geysers.
Cyprus- located in the Mediterranean Sea geographic point view refers to Asia, but is part of the European Union. The state has a developed tourism industry, which is the main source of national income. Cyprus has wonderful beaches, many of which are marked with the EU Blue Flag for infrastructure and cleanliness. There is even a bay of Aphrodite, where, according to a mythical legend, the Greek goddess of beauty and love of the same name was born from sea foam. The sights of the country mainly consist of Christian churches and monasteries.
Malta- a Mediterranean state in the Maltese archipelago. It attracts tourists with a warm climate, a variety of beach holidays, yacht trips and gastronomic excursions.

Asia

The island states of Asia are very different from each other - big and small, rich and poor, developed and backward, countries with the most modern resorts and countries distinguished by their beauty untouched nature. The Asian islands are saturated with oriental flavor and unique exoticism; they offer tourists a wide variety of types of recreation for every taste.

Bahrain- located in the Persian Gulf, the smallest Arab state, connected by a road bridge with Saudi Arabia. For tourists, this country provides huge selection- here you can ride camels, participate in car races, look for pearls on the seabed or just swim and relax on the beach.
Brunei- is one of the richest countries in the world, often referred to as "Islamic Disneyland". Tourism has been developing in Brunei for only about twenty years, previously it was not widespread due to high cost rental housing and restrictions on the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Now the main attractions of the state are the Sultan's Palace and the Omar Ali Mosque.
East Timor- a mountainous country, for which earthquakes and tsunamis are not uncommon. After civil war ended in 1999, East Timor's economy successfully shifted from agriculture to oil and gas production. Tourism is practically not developed due to the lack of infrastructure.
Indonesia- the largest island nation in terms of area, located in South-East Asia. This is a country of ethno-cultural diversity, full of exotic and pristine nature. Tourists come here for interesting cuisine and outdoor activities - diving, surfing and even rock climbing.
Maldives- people come here for an elite premium-class vacation. The waters around the state contain several completely different ecosystems, but they have gained the greatest popularity due to the coral reefs of extraordinary beauty and colorfulness, they are home to many interesting marine abodes: more than one thousand species of fish, several species sea turtles, whales and dolphins, crabs, shrimps and other aquatic inhabitants. The state consists of a huge number of small islands (atolls), as a rule, one hotel is located on one island. Tourists are attracted by the azure Indian Ocean, sandy and incredibly beautiful beaches, the highest level of service.
Singapore- they say that incompatible things are combined in this exotic city-state, it is not for nothing that the symbol of the country is the mythical creature Merlion with the head of a lion and the body of a fish. In Singapore wonderful climate, there are practically no temperature fluctuations, since the city is located almost on the equator. Singapore is classified as one of the "four East Asian tigers" due to the fact that its economy is developing at a very high pace. The tourism industry is focused not so much on beach holiday as well as cultural - not a day passes here without bright events and festivals filled with music and dances.
Taiwan- an island in pacific ocean, located near the mainland of China, is controlled by the Republic of China. Taiwan love business people and tourists, as the entertainment industry of the state has a high level.
Philippines- an island state that strikes the imagination with its diversity - there are more than seven thousand islands alone. Moreover, each of them has its own, unique feature: somewhere sandy beaches stretch for many, many kilometers into the distance, somewhere tropical forests surprise with colors, and some islands will delight those who love active, stormy and night rest.
Sri Lanka is a country of tea plantations, national parks, Buddhist monuments and, of course, wonderful beaches. On this island people like to play cricket and drink tea.
Japan- A country rising sun, combining all the most modern trends in science and technology and ancient traditions. Japan has first-class tourist resources - there are nature reserves, botanical gardens, museums, cultural and historical monuments and an unimaginable number of entertainment venues and complexes. Some go to Japan to immerse themselves in the anime and manga industry, while others are drawn to the wonderful beaches of Okinawa.

America

The island countries of America have an interesting and rich history, since before each of them was a colony, now the consequences of this are visible in the architectural and cultural heritage islands. Caribbean romance, rum, monuments to sailors, palaces and planters' houses will not leave any tourist indifferent.

Antigua and Barbuda- a state located on the islands of the same name and the island of Redonda. The country will appeal to those who like it civilized rest, since everything is available to travelers here: hotels for every taste and budget, beautiful beaches, restaurants, dance floors and other entertainment venues.
Bahamas- the dream of many people, an archipelago where only 30 islands out of 700 are inhabited. Tourism is developed in the Bahamas, people come here for expensive vacation. Indeed, there are plenty to choose from - diving, the beach, gambling and nightclubs, there are even golf courses.
Barbados- a wonderful and fabulous tropical state, surrounded on all sides by coral reefs.
Haiti– « Mountain country", is located in the western part of the island, the eastern part is Dominican Republic. Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world, therefore, there are practically no tourists there.
Grenada- a volcanic island and a small group of islands with tropical climate in the southeast caribbean. There are a lot of unusual birds in Grenada that you can see while walking in the mountains. There are national parks on the island for those who like hiking, and offshore reefs for snorkellers, and picturesque waterfalls for connoisseurs of beauty. Despite the points listed above, there are not so many vacationers in Grenada, since the infrastructure is poorly developed, most often people who want to admire nature come to the islands.
Dominica- a small country washed by the Caribbean Sea. There are few beaches on the island due to its volcanic origin, therefore, tourism is developing extremely inactively, although there is something to see in Dominica - boiling lakes and geysers will amaze any tourist.
Dominican Republic- a state of secluded beaches with clear blue water, coral reefs, tropical forests and coconut palms.
Cuba- located in the northern part of the Caribbean Sea, occupies several islands. A country whose sights will be difficult to review in one visit there. Many travelers choose Cuba for its exceptionally delicious cuisine, cigars and rum, known throughout the world.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines- beautiful islands where people come in search of a beach holiday. Many episodes from the popular movie "Pirates of the Caribbean" were filmed here.
Saint Kitts and Nevis a state made up of two mountain islands volcanic type. Its main economic sectors are tourism and agriculture.
Saint Lucia- small island country discovered by Columbus on Saint Lucy's Day.
Trinidad and Tobago- the islands synthesize several cultures, for example, the USA and Great Britain. Tourists come here specifically to watch and participate in the famous carnivals. And few people know that calypso (the famous Afro-Caribbean style in music) originated in Trinidad and Tobago.
Jamaica- the sunny "island of springs", famous due to the fact that there was formed modern style music - reggae, introduced to the world by Bob Marley. Tourism is remarkably developed in Jamaica - there is the possibility of a simple beach holiday, and various excursions to cultural and historical attractions, of which there are a huge number on the island.

Africa

The African island states fascinate with the beauty of nature - diverse landscapes, green jungles and tall palm trees in which exotic animals and birds hide. Among the island countries of Africa there are also states that have all the modern components have a nice rest– five star hotels, developed infrastructure, kilometers of beaches, etc.

Cape Verde- located in Atlantic Ocean on the Cape Verde Islands, a country of mountains and plains, where fishing, diving, surfing. Tourists will be pleased with the level of service, here it is comparable to the usual European one.
Comoros- small state Indian Ocean, tourists rarely come here due to undeveloped infrastructure and the possibility of getting malaria.
Mauritius- the island is called the pearl of the Indian Ocean, or rather, the emerald (because of the abundance of greenery). Mauritius is one of the most beautiful, but also the most expensive resorts.
Madagascar- the second largest island nation, it is located near the east coast South Africa. In the northern part of the island is the extinct volcano Marumukutru, which means "grove of fruit trees." Madagascar is a country with a developing economy, the tourism industry thrives here due to the presence of interesting excursion programs.
Sao Tome and Principe- the country is located on two islands of a volcanic type, named accordingly. The climate here is humid and hot, the rainy season lasts a long time - from October to May, but cocoa grows remarkably, making up the main percentage of income. The tourist niche is still empty, as suitable conditions have not been created for vacationers.
Seychelles– wild nature, exotic, fantastic underwater and animal world- this is what the Seychelles captivates travelers. Interestingly, the state consists of 115 islands, and only 33 are inhabited.

Oceania

Oceania is located in the central and southwestern regions of the Pacific Ocean, a part of the world consisting of small islands and atolls. The island states of Oceania are distinctive and unique, but the tourism industry in them, as a rule, is poorly developed due to difficulties with transport links and an insufficient level of service. Although, of course, there are exceptions here, which we will discuss below.

Vanuatu- in this state, tourism has only recently begun to develop, but now many newlyweds come here for their honeymoon. Diving, spa treatments and fishing are popular in Vanuatu, but not simple, but in deep waters.
Kiribati- an island country in Micronesia and Polynesia, the drought here is replaced by the rainy season, the climate cannot be called favorable, and the animal and plant worlds are not rich. Tourists rarely visit Kiribati, even because normal air traffic with the state is missing.
Marshall Islands- getting to this state is extremely difficult, long and expensive, and there is nothing special to see in terms of attractions, although there is a standard tourist set of entertainment - diving, sailing on a yacht, fishing.
Nauru- the smallest island state in terms of area, it is called a dwarf. Travelers rarely look here because of poor ecology - the nature of Nauru has suffered greatly due to the development of phosphorites.
New Zealand- a large and extraordinarily beautiful island state with a developed economy, one of the ocean leaders in the field of tourism. It attracts ordinary travelers and fans of ecotourism from all over the world. Images of the incredible nature of New Zealand often flash across the TV screen, for example, in the movie "Avatar".
Palau- a republic located in the Philippine Sea of \u200b\u200bthe Pacific Ocean, consists of 328 small islands. It is difficult to get to it, so there are not many vacationers here, although the nature on the islands is wonderful - there are tropical forests where orchids and other bright and exotic flowers grow. Jellyfish Lake is popular, where millions of jellyfish live, possessing interesting feature- they don't know how to sting.
Papua - New Guinea – features a diverse and interesting animal and flora, the nature of this island country fascinates with its bright colors. Tourism is developed here, but those who want to admire the local color go to the state, it will be difficult for lovers of civilization to find something to do here.
Samoa- air communication with this country was established not so long ago, therefore, more and more more people are flying here. There is something to see here - waterfalls, nature reserves, Coral reefs, swap meet and even the museum of Robert Louis Stevenson, who became famous for his novel Treasure Island.
Solomon islands- bright and original, they attract fans of natural attractions: there is a salt lagoon, which is considered the largest in the world, freshwater and huge lake Tengano, Rennell Coral Island, etc.
Tonga- the main types of recreation here are diving, sports fishing, camping, yachting.
Tuvalu- The hotel sector in this small Pacific country is very poorly represented, so there are few vacationers, although the islands have the potential to develop eco-tourism.
Federated States of Micronesia are located in the Caroline Islands. The economy of the state is based on fishing and agriculture and is highly dependent on US assistance. Tourists love to come to Micronesia to look at the sunken ships.
Fiji- a country consisting of coral and volcanic islands, in the Southwest Pacific, is the leader in Oceania tourism. Fiji has seclusion and civilization, passive beach holidays and active exploration sea depths in the form of diving, the opportunity to fish and just look at the sea.

Island states are numerous and beautiful in their own way thanks to unique nature, sea and history. Every person who wants to spend his holidays on the islands can choose something close to him.

A country whose territory is completely within the archipelago and is not connected to the mainland in any way is called an "island state". Of the 194 officially recognized countries in the world, 47 are considered as such. They should be distinguished from coastal areas and political entities that do not have access to the sea at all. Most often, the island states of the world are located near the outskirts of the continents, but some, such as the archipelagos of Oceania, may be located at a sufficient distance from the coastline. For convenience of classification, the countries are divided into groups. The main criterion for separation is belonging to one or another part of the world or mainland. Let's take a closer look at each of them.

Europe

2. Japan

The oldest East Asian state. It is located on (the largest of them is Honshu, followed by Hokkaido, Shikoku and Kyushu) and the Ryukyu archipelagos (the largest object is Okinawa) and Nampo. A dangerous seismic zone passes through the country. The capital Tokyo is located in the center of the island of Honshu.

3. Philippines

Often, island states are located on the archipelagos of the same name. The Republic of the Philippines is a vivid confirmation of this. The capital of this country in Southeast Asia is the city of Manila on the island of Luzon. This state is considered one of the poorest in Asia.

4. Sri Lanka

Small South Asian state. The territory is located right on the island of the same name, south of Hindustan. The capital city is Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. She is best known for her historical name- Ceylon, and since ancient times is famous for its unique varieties of mountain tea.

5. Republic of China

Partially recognized state located in Southeast Asia. Located on the island of Taiwan and several adjacent archipelagos, the capital is the city of Taipei. Large commercial and economic region of the Asian coast.

6. East Timor

State in the south Malay Archipelago takes eastern part Timor and not big islands Ataura and Jacques. Capital and The largest city- Dili.

7. Brunei

The state belongs to Southeast Asia. It is located on which is part of the Greater Sunda Archipelago. One of the smallest states in the Asian region and the whole world. The capital is a large and picturesque city With exotic name Bandar Seri Begawan, which translates from the local language as "The City of His Excellency."

8. Bahrain

A small island state, territorially located in Southwest Asia, on the island of the same name in the Persian Gulf. Very rich in oil, is one of the active members of OPEC. The capital and main economic center of the country is the city of Manama.

9. Singapore

This country belongs to the region of Southeast Asia. It lies on the territory of 63 islands, the largest of which are Singapore, Ubin, Sentosa. It is a free trade and economic zone of Asia. The capital is the city of the same name on the main island with the same name.

10. Maldives

A state located on a group of atolls of the same name in South Asia. It is not a secret for many that this is the most picturesque and attractive country for tourism in the world. The only city of Male is the capital and a major tourist center. Approximately 97% of the territory is occupied by the water surface.

America

Almost all the island states of America are located in the Atlantic Ocean and are washed by warm waters. Gulf of Mexico and the restless Caribbean. Sometimes this part of the world is called the West Indies. In the past, these territories were under the rule of large European colonizers, but at present they have the status of independent countries.

The island states of this region are located on the territory of the Large (the largest is Cuba, followed by Haiti and Puerto Rico) and Small (Lee and Windward) Antilles, Bahamas and other small archipelagos. The countries are distinguished by a special warm Caribbean climate and picturesque nature with lush reed beds.

The island states of America: Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bahamas, also Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica, Saint Lucia, along with them Barbados, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and countries such as Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Other island states

In addition to these countries, island and Oceania should be singled out as a separate group. The independent African territories in the east include Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius and the Seychelles, and in the west - Sao Tome and Principe, Cape Verde. Basically, the territories of these countries are located on the archipelagos of the same name.

Islands are divided into Melanesia, Polynesia and Micronesia. But many of them are uninhabited or are dependent territories. Independent island nations of the Pacific: Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, Nauru, also New Zealand, Solomon islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Tonga, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau and of course the Marshall Islands.

Many countries, such as Spain, are not only mainland, but also the islands - in this case, the famous Ibiza, Tenerife, Mallorca, etc. However, there are countries that are completely located exclusively on the islands. At the moment, among the 194 independent states of the world, 47 are islands. In principle, Australia can also be counted among them. Although this country is located on the continent, there are no land borders in it, and this is typical for island states. Many of these countries can offer luxurious conditions for recreation and magnificent views. 13 of the most beautiful island nations in the world are presented to your court.

Singapore

Singapore is one of the wealthiest island countries in the world. The city-state is located on an island next to south end The Malay Peninsula, whose area is only about 720 square kilometers, which makes Singapore one of the smallest countries in Southeast Asia. The beauty of this country lies not so much in natural formations, but in amazing buildings, unusual structures and Asian charm.

Jamaica

The name of this country and the island comes from a distorted Native American word "haymaka", which literally means "island of springs". Indeed, there are many small but very picturesque rivers and streams on the island. And also an island in the Caribbean Sea - these are wonderful hills, coral sand beaches, high mountains and dense forests, occupying a fifth of the island.

Seychelles

Seychelles is a beautiful archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean with the most beautiful beaches and gorgeous exotic nature. No wonder the Seychelles is so popular with tourists from all over the world!

Mauritius

Mauritius is located in the Indian Ocean East Africa. The republic includes two large islands, Mauritius and Rodrigues, as well as the Cargados-Carajos archipelago, the Agalega Islands and many small islands. The nature of Mauritius is good: the shores are fringed with coral reefs, sugar cane plantations sway in the picturesque valleys, plateaus and mountains are cut by hundreds of small streams, waterfalls rumble in the jungle, and the craters of extinct volcanoes exude thin smoke.

Iceland

Transferring from warm islands to the islands of the North Atlantic. Iceland is an intriguing and fascinating country, and it is located on a large island of the same name and small islands around it. By the way, Iceland is the largest island of volcanic origin, and some volcanoes periodically erupt lava, breaking through the ice crusts.

Japan

The fourth largest island nation is one of the most original countries peace. Here the West meets the East, giving birth to amazing culture. Japanese megacities are whole multi-layered anthills, and japanese nature, especially cherry blossoms, inspired many poets and writers. Japan is covered with a dense network of short deep rivers, there are many quiet lakes, and probably everyone has heard about Mount Fuji.

Fiji

An amazing country in the South Pacific Ocean is very fond of surfers around the world for its gorgeous waves and luxurious beaches. Fiji is 332 volcanic and coral islands covered with mangroves, tropical rainforests and savannahs.

Saint Lucia

This state is one of the smallest among the islands: its area is only 620 km². The island in the Caribbean was discovered by Columbus in 1502 on Saint Lucia's Day - hence the name. True, the warlike Carib Indians lived on the picturesque island, so at first it was not possible to relocate the Europeans there. Today, the official language of the state is English, although Patois is common among a significant part of the population.

Palau

Palau is even smaller than Saint Lucia. This state is located in the east of the Philippines, in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, on a placer of small atolls formed on the peaks underwater volcanoes. The underwater world off the coast of Palau is so good that it was even announced underwater miracle Sveta; the gardens and forests of the islands are thickets of orchids and exotic flowers, and millions of jellyfish live in the lakes.

Madagascar

Let's jump from one of the smallest island states to the second largest - Madagascar. An island in the Indian Ocean, south of the African continent, is home to 5% of all animal and plant species on this planet, of which more than 80% are endemic.

Cuba

A charming island with an acclaimed history boasting white sandy beaches, blue waters and the best coral reefs in the world, but the Cuban culture is surprisingly interesting and colorful. Viva la Cuba!

Kiribati

Most likely, you have never heard of this state. But in vain, because this is one of the most beautiful island countries in the world. Located in the Pacific Ocean, the state is located on 33 atolls, twenty of which are uninhabited. Only 100 thousand people live in the whole country - the natives of the Tungara and Banaba, who speak their own language of Kiribati.

Maldives

The area of this state is only 298 sq.m., but it is known throughout the world for its expensive exclusive resorts with a high level of service. Islands in the heart of the Indian Ocean are often chosen by newlyweds for honeymoon- it's so romantic there!

"Asia", which refer to its territory. total area islands of Asia is more than 2 million km. sq.

Most of the islands in Asia are located in its southeastern part. This is where the Malay Archipelago is located. largest archipelago in the world. It includes such islands as the Greater Sunda, Lesser Sunda, Moluccas, Philippine, and others, with the exception of the island of New Guinea, which already belongs to Oceania. The largest islands of the Malay Archipelago, as well as throughout Asia as a whole, are the islands of Kalimantan and Sumatra. The island of Java of the same archipelago is the most inhabited island peace. A significant part of these islands belongs to Indonesia.

There are also many islands in the east of Asia, among them the largest are the Japanese Islands, Sakhalin Island, Kurile Islands, the islands of Taiwan and Hainan, etc. The largest of these islands is the island japanese island Honshu is the third largest in Asia.

In South Asia, in the waters of the Indian Ocean, there is a large island of Sri Lanka, as well as a number of smaller islands - the Maldives, Andaman Islands and etc.

In southwest Asia, there are many small islands in the waters of the Red Sea, as well as the Socotra archipelago consisting of 4 islands in the Indian Ocean. Socorta Island used to be part of Africa, but separated from it. Now it belongs to the state of Yemen.

In the east of Asia, in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, there is the island of Cyprus, which is also referred to as the islands of Asia, although in its history and culture this island is a European island.

In the north in Asia, in the waters of the Arctic Ocean, there is an archipelago northern land as well as the archipelago New Siberian Islands and etc.

List of largest islands in Asia:

Kalimantan - 734,000 km. sq.
Sumatra - 427350 km. sq.
Honshu - 227921 km. sq.
Sulawesi - 178710 km. sq.
Java - 126650 km. sq.
Luzon - 105880 km. sq.
Mindanao - 95250 km. sq.
Hokkaido - 77980 km. sq.
Sakhalin - 76400 km. sq.
Sri Lanka - 65300 km. sq.
Kyushu - 36721 km. sq.
New Siberian Islands - 38,000 km. sq.
Severnaya Zemlya, archipelago - 37,600 km. sq.
Taiwan - 35800 km. sq.
Hainan - 33570 km. sq.
Timor - 30720 km. sq.
Shikoku - 18295 km. sq.
Halmahera - 17780 km. sq.
Seram - 17150 km. sq.
Kuril Islands - 15600 km. sq.
Sumbawa - 15450 km. sq.
Flores - 14250 km. sq.
Samar - 13080 km. sq.
Negros - 12710 km. sq.
Palawan - 11785 km. sq.
Panay - 11515 km. sq.
Bank - 11330 km. sq.
Sumba - 11150 km. sq.
Mindoro - 9815 km. sq.
Cyprus - 9251 km. sq.

I want to make a reservation right away that the compiled rating is exclusively individual, and is based only on the personal impressions of the author. Of course, we did not visit all the islands, but out of 30 or 40 islands, on which different time managed to visit, I want to choose the top ten. They are all very different, so the task is not easy. Some of the islands are world resorts, promoted and well known to many, while others, on the contrary, are little known. There are large islands, like Jeju, Langkawi, Penang, and there are very tiny ones, like Kapas, for example. We lived on some islands for a long time, we come to others many times, as they sunk into the soul, and continue to attract so far.

As the main selection criteria and priorities for me, beautiful nature, a rich and interesting underwater world with clean and clear water, snorkeling, diving, fishing, photography and a variety of leisure. Passive lying on the beach, even on the best, is not taken into account. Chic, hotels, restaurants, shopping and other benefits of civilization, of course, are also pleasant and important, but they are in the background. In the announcement for each island, I will try to briefly indicate its pros and cons, and those who are interested in the details can be found in the links indicated.

1. Pee-pee (Phi- Phi) Thailand

Beautiful nature, wonderful beaches, beautiful coral reefs near the shore, many sharks, excellent snorkeling and diving, good hotels, delicious food, lots of vegetables and fruits. Everything is here - secluded beaches, and civilization with shops, bazaars, restaurants, discos. Everyone will find for himself what he needs!

No cons

2. Tioman (Tioman) Malaysia

Exclusively clear water, beautiful coral reefs near the shore, many turtles, rich underwater world, beautiful nature, excellent snorkeling and diving

Cons: modest hotels in beautiful bays, limited territory, lack of fruits, sand fleas. In those places where expensive and luxurious hotels do not have what is indicated in the pros. There are no roads, communication between the bays is only by boat.

3. Kapas Malaysia

Very beautiful island big amount coral reefs and exceptional underwater world. Snorkeling is excellent! There is a diving club.

Capas Island - perfect place for those who like to relax in peace and quiet, who want to take a break from the bustle of the city and the noise of cars. Those who love expensive hotels, increased comfort, shopping and luxurious restaurants should not come here. It doesn't exist here. There are also no noisy discos and nightlife. But there is beautiful nature here, excellent beaches with crystal clean water, coral reefs and amazing underwater world!

Cons: modest hotels, limited territory,

4. Boracay (Boracay) Philippines

Beaches with white sand, hotels for every taste, an abundance of cheap vegetables and fruits. In addition to good diving, there is surfing and sailing. Happy Island!

Cons: coral reefs near the coast destroyed by the cyclone and modest snorkeling

5. Udo(U-do)YU. Korea

Excellent spearfishing - flounder, triggerfish, octopus, squid, etc. Chic and cheap hotels for every taste. Fishing, biking, snorkeling. There is diving. The best time is september - warm water and lack of people.

Cons: limited territory, lack of infrastructure and no entertainment

6. Phuket Thailand

Large island, many interesting places to visit - shell museum, crocodile farm, serpentarium, elephant and monkey show, etc. The best place- Patong. There are sandy beaches, there are bays with rocks and clear clear water. Wonderful Carefour stores with very cheap prices for everything - food, clothes, souvenirs. Year-round abundance of vegetables and tropical fruits. Impressive Thai massage. From the island you can make a lot of radial interesting excursions to other islands. Night life no worse than in Pattaya.

Cons: a lot of people. For snorkeling and diving, you have to sail on a boat, which is not very convenient

7. Jeju (Jeju) South Korea

The largest and finest island in Korea, often referred to as the "Korean Hawaii". A lot of sights, interesting and unusual museums, beautiful nature, picturesque beaches, unique waterfalls, botanical gardens, caves and grottoes, extinct volcanoes and the most high mountain in Korea - Holasan! There are places for snorkeling and there are dive clubs. Good spearfishing. Service, as elsewhere in Korea, is on top. Hotels for every taste and budget.

Cons: a lot of people, noisy, you feel like in a city, not in nature.

8. Pangkor Malaysia

It is believed that the name of the island comes from a combination of two Thai words "Pang Ko", which means " beautiful island". And it really is! A beautiful island with beautiful nature and good beaches. The symbol of the island is Hornbill - a large, strong and beautiful hornbill, which in natural conditions can only be found here and on Borneo. There are many cozy bays with turquoise water.Silence, peace and tranquility are more conducive to passive recreation

Cons: insufficiently clear water for snorkeling, as well as on most islands West Coast Malaysia. No diving. Problems with alcohol and fruits.

9 Langkawi Malaysia

The island of Langkawi is considered to be the most romantic island Malaysia. Langkawi is also called the "island of legends". Perhaps this is one of the most popular and popular resorts not only in Malaysia, but throughout Southeast Asia. The atmosphere in Langkawi is conducive to a relaxing pastime away from the bustle of the city. Lots of attractions and interesting excursions. Beautiful nature. Perhaps many people will like the island of Langkawi, especially lovers of a relaxing beach holiday.

Cons: everything about amazing beaches, azure water, coral reefs - a complete fiction, this is not in Langkawi! M duck water, no snorkeling and diving. Noisy, dirty.

10. Penang (Penang) Malaysia

Penang Island is a mixture of Malay, Chinese, Indian, Nyon cultures with its colonial past. This is evident in many of the island's historical and cultural attractions. Antiquity and modernity coexist here: rickshaws and the latest cars, colonial mansions and modern villas, ancient temples and skyscrapers. In Penang, rest is, first of all, acquaintance with the sights, shopping, excursions, entertainment. There are good hotels and plenty of budget accommodation, a variety of restaurants, beautiful temples, parks and gardens. Sightseeing lovers will be amazed on Penang Island by the abandoned architectural and historical monuments that have gone back centuries. In fact, each Penang temple is beautiful and unique in its own way. It seems that every people living in Penang tried to build the most beautiful and luxurious temple. Dragon Mountain Temple is the pride of the Chinese, Anglican Church St. George - English, etc. There are many nightclubs and entertainment venues, restaurants and shopping centers, souvenir shops and night markets.