The 10 Largest Island Countries in the World

Indonesia is an archipelagic nation located in Southeast Asia, consisting of over 17,000 islands. It is the world’s largest island country, with a total land area of 1,904,569 square kilometres (735,358 square miles). Indonesia is divided into three main geographic regions; Sumatra, Java, and Kalimantan. Sumatra is the largest and most western of the islands, known for its lush rainforests, deep valleys, and active volcanoes. Java is the most populous island, and is home to the Indonesian capital city, Jakarta. Kalimantan is the third largest island and is made up of mostly dense jungles, rivers, and swamps. 

Madagascar is an island nation situated off the eastern coast of southern Africa. It is the fourth-largest island in the world and the second largest island nation in the world. Madagascar is roughly 587,041 square kilometres (226,658 square miles) in area and is home to some of the most unique and diverse wildlife and plant species on the planet. The island is divided into three distinct geographical regions known as the Highland Plateau, the Central Lowlands, and the Eastern Coastal Plains. The Highland Plateau is the highest region of Madagascar and is characterized by lush forests and grasslands. This region is also home to the island's highest peak, Maromokotro, which stands at 2,876 meters (9,436 feet). The Central Lowlands region is relatively flat and contains several rivers and lakes, including Lake Alarobia, the largest lake in Madagascar. 

Papua New Guinea is a Pacific Island nation located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It is the eastern half of the island of New Guinea, the western half being the Indonesian province of West Papua. Papua New Guinea is the third largest island country in the world, covering an area of 462,840 square kilometres (178,704 square miles). It is located just north of Australia, and is home to a diverse range of cultures, languages, and people. The country is divided into four provinces; Central, Eastern, Western, and North. The capital city is Port Moresby, located in the Central Province. 

Japan is the fourth largest island nation in the world, with an area of approximately 377,975 square kilometers (145,937 square miles). The Japanese archipelago is comprised of four main islands - Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku and Kyushu - and 6,852 smaller islands, of which 430 are inhabited. Honshu, the largest and most populous, contains major cities like Tokyo, Yokohama, and Osaka. Hokkaido, the northernmost island, is known for its rugged wilderness, vast farmlands, and thriving winter sports. Kyushu, in the southwest, boasts volcanic terrain, hot springs, and a subtropical climate. Shikoku, the smallest of the main islands, is famous for its beautiful temples and tranquil landscapes.

Malaysia has an area of approximately 330,803 square kilometers (127,720 square miles). The Malay Peninsula, the western part of Malaysia, is characterized by lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and dynamic cities. Kuala Lumpur, the capital, is a bustling metropolis known for its iconic Petronas Twin Towers. The peninsula also features the Titiwangsa Mountain Range, with Mount Tahan as the highest peak. To the east of the peninsula lies the island of Borneo, shared with Indonesia and Brunei. Here, dense rainforests are home to unique wildlife, including orangutans and pygmy elephants. The state of Sarawak and Sabah offer incredible opportunities for eco-tourism, with attractions like the Mulu Caves and Kinabalu National Park.

The Philippines is an archipelago nation located in Southeast Asia, consisting of 7,641 islands. Philippines has a total land area of approximately 300,000 square kilometres (115,831 square miles). Most of the country is located in the tropical climate zone with temperatures ranging from hot to humid. The archipelago is divided into three main geographical regions: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Luzon is the largest and most populous region of the Philippines, home to its capital city, Manila. It is the center of the country’s economic, political, and cultural life. In addition to Manila, the region also includes other cities such as Quezon City and Makati. The Visayas region is located in the center of the country and consists of several islands. This region is known for its beaches, coral reefs, and beautiful landscape. The Mindanao region is the southernmost region of the Philippines and is known for its diverse culture and unique cuisine. The Philippines is also home to numerous mountain ranges, including the Sierra Madre, the Cordillera Central, and the Caraballo Mountains. 

New Zealand is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean, to the east of Australia. It is comprised of two main islands, the North Island and the South Island, which are separated by the Cook Strait. The total area of New Zealand is 268,838 square kilometre (103,798 square miles). The North Island is the most populous of the two islands, and it is home to the capital city of Wellington. It is known for its stunning landscapes, from its beaches and volcanoes to its rolling hills and mountain ranges. The South Island is the larger of the two islands, with a more rugged and mountainous terrain. It is known for its spectacular alpine scenery, including glaciers, fjords and lakes.

The United Kingdom is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe. It is a country of 243,610 square kilometers (94,058 square miles), making it the 8th largest island nation in the world by area. The UK is made up of four constituent countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Each country is further divided into regions, districts, and counties. England is the largest of the four constituent countries and is home to more than 84% of the UK's population. London, the capital city, is located in the south-east of England, and is the largest city in the UK. Other major cities in England include Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, and Bristol. The country is known for its rolling green hills, rugged moorlands, and stunning coastline. Scotland is located in the northern part of the UK and is home to over 5.5 million people. Its capital city, Edinburgh, is located on the east coast, and is an important cultural and financial center. Scotland is famous for its lochs, mountains, and picturesque villages. Wales is located to the west of England, separated by the Cambrian Mountains. Wales is known for its stunning coastline, which includes a number of islands, and its rugged hills and mountains. Cardiff is the capital city and is a major industrial center. Northern Ireland is located in the north of the UK, on the island of Ireland. Belfast is the capital city and is known for its strong maritime heritage. Northern Ireland is known for its dramatic mountain ranges and its picturesque coastline.

Cuba is an island nation located in the Caribbean Sea and is the largest island in the region. It has an approximate area of 110,860 square kilometres (42,804 square miles) and is located approximately 145 km (90 miles) south of the Florida Keys, and 150 km (93 miles) west of the island of Hispaniola, which is shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The geography of Cuba is diverse, with a mountainous terrain in the southeast, central plains in the north, and coastal plains in the northwest. The highest point in Cuba is Pico Turquino, which is located in the Sierra Maestra mountain range and stands at 1,974 meters (6,476 feet).  The coastline of Cuba stretches for a total of 3,539 km (2,199 miles), and is dotted with numerous beaches, bays, and inlets. The largest city in Cuba is Havana, and other major cities include Santiago de Cuba, Camaguey, and Holguin. 

Iceland is an island nation located in the North Atlantic Ocean. It covers an area of 103,000 square kilometres (39,769 square miles). Iceland is the second-largest island in Europe and the 18th-largest island in the world. It is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the Greenland Sea, and the Norwegian Sea. Iceland is a volcanic island characterized by its rugged and mountainous terrain. Glaciers cover 11% of the land area and over 1,000 volcanoes dot the landscape. Iceland’s coastline is jagged and deeply indented by numerous fjords. Iceland is home to many of Europe’s tallest waterfalls, including the iconic Gullfoss and Dettifoss. Iceland is known for its diverse and unique landscape of geysers, hot springs, lava fields, and black sand beaches. It is home to some of the world’s most active volcanoes such as Mount Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull.