What are the islands and their name. Paradise holidays on the beaches of Fernando de Noronha. Sardinia Location: Mediterranean Country: Italy

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 world map, then such states are 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 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 absence 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 largest 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. There are island states in almost all parts of the world - in Europe, Asia, America, Africa and Oceania. Let's talk about island countries, 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- a large state, occupying 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, given 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. The UK attracts tourists from all over the world thanks to 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 environmentally clean place, which is often called the "emerald isle" because of 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, the proverb is popular among the locals: “If you don’t like the weather, then you should wait for some five minutes, and it will become much worse.” Iceland is visited by lovers of ecological and exotic vacation, because 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 blue flag EU 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 its warm climate, variety beach holiday, 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 modern resorts and countries distinguished by the beauty of 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 to Saudi Arabia. For tourists, this country provides a huge choice - 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 the high cost of renting accommodation 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 the 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 elite vacation premium. 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 of 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 a beach holiday as on a cultural one - not a day passes here without bright events and festivals filled with music and dance.
Taiwan- an island in pacific ocean, located near the mainland of China, is controlled by the Republic of China. Taiwan is loved by business people and tourists, as the state's entertainment industry 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– The Land of the Rising Sun, which combines 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 unthinkable 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 each of them used to be a colony, now the consequences of this are visible in the architectural and cultural heritage of the 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 a civilized vacation, as 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 holidays. 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 occupied by the 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 southeastern 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 coastal reefs for diving enthusiasts, 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 the imagination of 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- is located in the Atlantic Ocean on the Cape Verde Islands, a country of mountains and plains, where fishing, diving, and surfing are developed. Tourists will be pleased with the level of service, here it is comparable to the usual European one.
Comoros – small state in the Indian Ocean, tourists rarely come here because of 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 off the east coast of South Africa. Located in the northern part of the island dormant 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 - wildlife, exotic, fantastic underwater and animal world - this is what 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, which have an interesting feature - they do not know how to sting.
Papua - New Guinea – is distinguished by a diverse and interesting flora and fauna, 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, reserves, coral reefs, a flea market and even a 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 southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean, is a leader in the tourism sector of Oceania. 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.

Every year, TripAdvisor ranks the best islands in the world. This year was no exception. Moreover, it is worth noting that this rating is not based on the traditional "expert" assessments of the editorial staff, but on the basis of recommendations and feedback from visitors to this interesting portal.

This year, the rating was headed by the island of Providenciales in the Caribbean, and only two representatives of the past laureates remained in the top ten - Thailand's Tau and the famous Bora Bora. And this fact should not surprise anyone, since the tourist market is difficult to predict and it is simply impossible to predict which destination will become popular this year.

Coral Paradise - Providenciales Island

This largest island of the Caribbean archipelago is part of such a little-known state as Turks and Caicos. The state is an extension Bahamas, so it is not surprising that its islands share the same luxury holiday features - white sandy beaches, a mild climate that allows you to relax all year round, turquoise waters and magnificent nature that creates beautiful scenery for walking.

However, the main reason for the frequent entry of the island into various ratings is not at all the usual snow-white beaches familiar to everyone, but the variety of recreation. Vacationers can have a great time doing yachting, windsurfing and snorkelling. And the main and most popular entertainment here is diving. This is facilitated by both warm sea waters and picturesque coral reefs, which can be easily reached from the shore on your own.

Maui island in Hawaii

The Hawaiian Islands have long been the canons of a good holiday. And if earlier Hawaii and Oahu were the most popular in the cohort of islands, now the island of Maui, which is more accessible to tourists, is taking the leading position.

First of all, when they talk about holidays in Hawaii, they immediately mean surfing and windsurfing. After all, the Hawaiian Islands are a mecca for those who like to swim on the board. In addition, it is on Maui with its small population that you can fully enjoy nature. Raging waterfalls of Haleacao National Park and amazing bamboo forest, not to mention the traditional warm sandy beaches, attract many tourists. Therefore, the island rightfully occupies the second place in the ranking.

Roatan - paradise in the Caribbean

How often do we hear the words - "The wrong country was called Honduras" in a negative sense, expressed in relation to their own country. However, if you look closely at the latter, then Honduras is just another good comparison. Especially if you look at the rest on the island of Roatan, which belongs to Honduras.

The island is surrounded by coral reefs and is covered with magnificent beaches, which makes it just the perfect holiday destination, both for the usual beach pastime and for all diving enthusiasts. An ideal place has been created here for lovers of ecotourism (the Carambola Botanical Garden is famous for its tropical park of exotic birds) and for all kinds of entertainment - from sea fishing to all aquatic species sports.

Tranquility and romance in Santorini

The islands of the Cyclades amaze everyone with their amazing natural beauty. The most mysterious and beautiful in this archipelago is Santorini, which owes its birth to volcanic lava.

This island is often called romantic, but unlike most of the "paradise" ocean islands, which received their title due to wild nature and snow-white beaches, Santorini has earned this title thanks to the houses carved into the rocks, which attract tourists from all over the world with their snow-white facades and bright blue roofs.

Unlike most of the islands on the list, people come to Santorini not for diving or extreme entertainment, but to kindle a real fire in loving hearts. And most of the tourists are newlyweds, whom the island pleases with its unforgettable romance and positive.

Bright diving on Koh Tao island in Thailand

Water Gulf of Thailand sheltered cozy with palm trees Koh Tao or "Turtle Island". The island got its name due to the numerous colonies of sea turtles that have chosen its snow-white sandy beaches. Once the island was uninhabited and only turtles were its only inhabitants. White sand and the azure clear water around the island cannot but delight tourists, who, like the majestic reptiles many centuries ago, have now chosen these beaches.

However, not only snow-white sandy hills and sunny 300 days a year, allowing you to lazily sunbathe on the beach, this resort island. However, the island attracts most tourists with its underwater beauties.

It is diving on Koh Tao that is the most popular type of outdoor activity. Coral reefs are rich marine life, more than 30 dive sites of various difficulty categories, including shipwrecks and a short distance to dive sites - all this makes Koh Tao the "Diving Mecca" of Southeast Asia.

A safe haven for travelers - Madeira Island

The Portuguese island of Madeira has for many centuries served as a haven for all travelers who rushed to conquer the Atlantic. This paradise in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean for six centuries, thanks to its mild and temperate climate, has been a holiday destination not only for sailors, but also for the wealthy European elite.

At the same time, most tourists come here not to bask on the beaches, since they simply do not exist here, but for an active pastime. The island is a real expanse for lovers of hunting and fishing, diving and windsurfing, and green tourism. The main attractions of the island are national reserve Madeira and its Botanical Gardens. It is here that you can see all the worldwide diversity of flora that the Portuguese have collected over the three centuries of their rule of the sea.

Island of the Gods - Bali

In Indonesia, between the two largest islands of Lombok and Java, there is a cozy picturesque corner, which attracts tourists with its majestic volcanoes Gunung-Angung and Kintamini, pristine rainforests and blue lagoons.

The island's shores hide delightful temple complexes and a sacred monkey forest, where mischievous primates will give tourists a little boost of energy in exchange for small sweets for them. In addition, Bali is a kind of Indian enclave in the middle of Muslim Indonesia, and it is here that you can relax on the coast, strengthening your spirit in yoga classes.

While the island's main draw is its white sandy beaches, along with the coral landscapes that surround it, attracting divers from all over the world, Bali has a few other must-see spots. One of them is the 20,000-hectare Barat National Park. It is in it that you can see all kinds of combinations of flora and fauna in the primordial wild world without bars and aviaries.

A sandy paradise in mesmerizing Mauritius

Mauritius has long been included in the cohort of the most beautiful holiday destinations. This tropical paradise, which is sometimes also called the "key to the Indian Ocean", despite its modest size, has more than a hundred kilometers of snow-white beaches.

It was the bright combination of the turquoise waters of the lagoon, coral reefs and bizarre mountains that caused the rest on the island to be ranked among the highest category. Moreover, on local beaches you can often see famous artists and billionaires who are attracted here by a high level of comfort and individual relaxation of the highest level. Local authorities are trying to make the resort not just an ordinary place of mass pilgrimage. Therefore, you will not often meet an ordinary budget tourist on the island, and once here you will be completely sure that you will have a top-class vacation in the luxe category.

Mauritius is almost completely surrounded by reefs, so it is an ideal place for diving and fishing. It is here that you can see and catch the very fish that every fisherman dreams of getting into his trophies - different kinds marlin, sailfish and bright representatives of the shark family.

Bora Bora - the island of romantics in love

Bora Bora is largest island among the 118 islands of French Polynesia. It has the status of the unofficial capital of romantics and honeymooners and is considered romantic and exotic place on the planet. The island, like most of its neighbors, was formed after a chain of volcanic eruptions and is now a mountain range with three peaks piercing the sky above a dazzling blue lagoon.

Despite its miniature size (you can drive around it in an hour by car), nature has so generously endowed the island with its beauty that it rightfully proudly bears the title of “an emerald in a turquoise setting with a pearl necklace – that’s how it can be described by looking at it above.
Bora Bora has plenty of things to do, from coral garden expeditions to visits majestic mountains to extreme snorkeling and diving. And one of the most interesting entertainment is feeding from the hands of local stingrays and sharks.

Paradise holidays on the beaches of Fernando de Noronha

Fernando de Noronha is the name of an archipelago located near Brazil, and consisting of more than twenty islands. However, the inhabited and, accordingly, the most popular of this cohort is the largest island, which attracts all beach lovers. In addition, this archipelago has been on the list for fifteen years cultural heritage UNESCO because it is in its waters that large populations of dolphins, sea turtles and cetaceans live.

It is here that the Baia do Sancho beach is located, which has become a real mecca for all lovers of sea holidays and has firmly entered the list of the best beaches in the world. This famous beach in the shape of a crescent, it is surrounded by rocks on all sides and in order to get to it you need to go down seventy-meter stairs. However, it's worth it - the bay around the beach is a real natural treasure. The bay is a natural pool surrounded by solidified lava, in which the water is always crystal clear.

Contents 1 Islands with a population of more than 10,000,000 people 2 Islands with a population of 1,000,000 to 10,000,000 people ... Wikipedia

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French Polynesia consists of 118 islands and atolls located in the Pacific Ocean, 67 of which are inhabited. total area land area 3660 km² (without water surface area). Population 259,596 (2007). Below is a list ... ... Wikipedia

Islands of Croatia. Feature of the Dalmatian coast Adriatic Sea is a large number of islands, also known as Dalmatian Islands. Most of the islands are located close to the coast and have a shape elongated along the coast. ... ... Wikipedia

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Faroe Islands, Faroe Islands (Far. Føroyar, Førjar, "Sheep Islands", Dan. Færøerne, Norwegian Færøyene, Old Norse / Norse: Færeyjar) is a group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean between Scotland ( Shetland Islands) and Iceland. They ... ... Wikipedia

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The coast of Largo del Sur The Caribbean islands consist of several groups of large and small islands, namely: from the Large and Small Antilles and the Bahamas. The surface of all islands is 244,890 ... Wikipedia

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Do you know how many times the largest island in Russia is smaller than the big island peace? Read the post and find out.

No. 10. Ellesmere (Canada) - 196,236 km2

Ellesmere is the most north island Canada is one of the ten largest islands in terms of area in the world. Due to the harsh climate, the population of the island is about 150 people.

The remains of prehistoric animals have been repeatedly found on the territory of Ellesmere. The first settlers were nomads from Siberia. In 1250, the Thule people, the ancestors of the Eskimos, settled on the territory. But by the middle of the 18th century, the island became deserted.

The island was discovered in 1616 by the English navigator William Baffin.

No. 9. Victoria (Canada) - 217,291 km2

In ninth place in terms of area is Victoria Island (Canada). The island was discovered in 1838 during the expedition of the British explorer Thomas Simpson.

In the 50s of the 20th century, there were several settlements on the island in which meteorologists lived. By the end of the 20th century, the population increased to detect the Eskimo settlers who took up fishing activities here.

No. 8. Honshu (Japan) - 227,970 km2

Honshu is the largest island in the Japanese archipelago and is the 8th largest island in the world. The island of Honshu is home to the largest Japanese cities: Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, Kyoto, Hiroshima, etc.

The island is covered with many volcanoes, some of them active. The population of the island is over 103 million people.

No. 7. United Kingdom (UK) - 229,848 km2

Great Britain ranks 7th in the list of the largest islands in the world and is the most big island in the British Isles and in Europe as a whole.

The beginning of the history of Great Britain is considered the period of the Roman conquest in 43 BC, but the island had more early history.

Great Britain was inhabited by the Noto people several hundred thousand years ago. Modern man arrived at British Isles before the beginning of the last ice age, but retreated to southern Europe due to the glaciers that cover the territory of the island. According to archaeological finds, after 12,000 BC. e. The British Isles were repopulated. Around 4000 BC e. the island was inhabited by people of the Neolithic culture.

To date, the population of the island of Great Britain is more than 61 million people, which makes it the most densely populated area in Europe.

No. 6. Sumatra (Indonesia) - 443,066 km2

Sumatra is the sixth largest island in the world. It is located in two hemispheres at once, since the Equator passes almost in the middle of the island. The island belongs to Indonesia and is part of the Malay Archipelago. It is located in a zone of frequent earthquakes and tsunamis.

To date, the population of the island of Sumatra is more than 50 million people. The main cities of Sumatra: Medan, Palembang, Padang. People of many nationalities live in Sumatra, about 90% profess Islam.

Approximately 73 thousand years ago, the Toba volcano exploded on the island of Sumatra. This event resulted in 1800 years of ice age and the reduction of the human population to 2000 people.

The name of the island comes from the Sanskrit word samudra - "ocean" or "sea".

No. 5. Baffin Island (Canada) - 507,451 km2

Baffin Island is the largest island in Canada and the fifth largest in the world. Due to the harsh climatic conditions of the island, the population is about 11 thousand people. largest locality islands - Iqaluit.

The first description of the island was made by William Baffin in 1616, and the island was named after him.

No. 4. Madagascar (Madagascar) - 587,713 km2

The fourth line of the ranking is occupied by the island of Madagascar. Located in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa. The island is the state of Madagascar (the capital of Antananarivo). To date, the population of the island of Madagascar is more than 24 million people.

The locals call Madagascar the red island because of the color of the soil. More than half of the animals living in Madagascar cannot be found on the mainland, and 90% of the plants are endemic.

No. 3. Kalimantan (Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei) - 748,168 km2

Kalimantan or Borneo is the third largest island in the world. It is divided between 3 states: Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. The island is located in the center of the Malay Archipelago.
Kalimantan on local language means diamond river. It is named so due to its rich resources, in particular, a large number of diamonds.

The first people settled in Kalimantan about 40 thousand years ago. To date, the population of the island is about 20 million people. More than 300 ethnic groups live on the island.

No. 2. New Guinea (Indonesia, Papua New Guinea) - 785,753 km2

There are still places in New Guinea where no man has been. This place attracts researchers of flora and fauna, as they can meet the rarest species of animals and plants here. It is home to over 11,000 plant species, 600 unique bird species, over 400 amphibian species, 455 butterfly species, and about a hundred known mammal species.

New Guinea has been inhabited by humans since at least 45,000 BC. e. from Asia. More than a thousand Papuan-Melanesian tribes originated from the first settlers. The absence of large animals suitable for domestication on the island hindered the development of agriculture and made cattle breeding impossible. This contributed to the preservation of the primitive communal system in large territories New Guinea up to the present day. The mountainous landscape contributed to the isolation of people from each other, as a result of which a huge variety of languages \u200b\u200bappeared on the island.

New Guinea was discovered by the Portuguese Don Jorge de Menezes, who landed on the island in 1526. According to legend, he gave the island the name "Papua", which translates as curly, this is due to the curly hair of the local natives.

To date, the population of the island of New Guinea is more than 9.5 million people.
On the territory of New Guinea, there is an ancient agricultural settlement of Cook, showing the isolated development of agriculture over 7-10 millennia and included in the List world heritage UNESCO.

No. 1. Greenland (Denmark) - 2,130,800 km2

The largest island in the world is Greenland. The Green Country, as this island is also called, belongs to Denmark. Due to ice cover (84% of the surface) and unfavorable climatic conditions most of the island is uninhabited. To date, the population of Greenland is more than 57 thousand people. The largest settlement of the island is Nuuk (Gothob).

Several thousand years before the arrival of Europeans, the Greenlandic Eskimos, who call themselves Inuit, lived on the island. The Inuit have adapted to the extreme conditions of the Arctic climate and feel quite comfortable. They have been fishing and hunting for centuries.

Of the Europeans, the Norman Gunbjorn was the first to enter the island in 875. In 982, Erik Raudi settled on the island with several comrades, expelled from Iceland for the crimes he had committed. Later they were joined by the Norwegian Vikings. In 983, the first Norman colony was founded in Greenland.

After the settlement of Greenland by Europeans, the island was repeatedly passed from hand to hand. Until 1536, the island belonged to Norway, then became part of Denmark, in accordance with the union between Denmark and Norway. In 1721, a Danish colony called Gotthob was officially established on the island. In 1814, after the dissolution of the union between Norway and Denmark, Greenland became wholly the possession of Denmark.

The main activity of the people of Greenland is fishing. But at the end of the 20th century, reindeer and sheep breeding and oil production appeared. Tourism and air transport play an important role. More than 20,000 tourists visit Greenland every year.

The largest island in Russia (Sakhalin) is 27 times smaller than the largest island in the world (Greenland).

The largest islands of Russia:
Sakhalin - 76600 km2
Northern - 48904 km2
Southern - 33275 km2
Boiler house - 23200 km2
October Revolution - 13708 km2