The Largest Islands in the World

Greenland is the world’s largest island, and the least densely populated, with a population of around 56,000. It is located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, northeast of Canada and northwest of Iceland. Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, and is the world’s largest non-continental island, covering an area of 2,166,086 square kilometers. The majority of the island is covered in ice, and is therefore home to some of the world’s most incredible glaciers and ice caps. The Greenland Ice Sheet is the second-largest ice sheet in the world and covers approximately 84% of the island. Greenland is also home to some of the world’s most beautiful fjords and bays, as well as diverse wildlife such as polar bears, narwhals, and walruses. Greenland is a sparsely populated country, with much of the population concentrated in the coastal regions. The majority of the population are of Inuit descent, and the official language is Greenlandic, a dialect of the Inuit language. 

New Guinea, located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, is the world's second-largest island after Greenland. It is divided into two regions: the western part, known as West Papua or Papua Barat, is a province of Indonesia, while the eastern part is the independent nation of Papua New Guinea. New Guinea is renowned for its remarkable biodiversity and stunning natural landscapes. Its dense tropical rainforests are home to an incredible array of plant and animal species, many of which are unique to the island. The island is considered one of the world's last frontier regions, with numerous undiscovered species still awaiting scientific exploration.

Borneo is the third largest island in the world, located in Southeast Asia, and is the largest island in Asia. It is located between the South China Sea and the Celebes Sea and is divided between Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. The majority of Borneo is located within the Indonesian province of Kalimantan, which makes up roughly 73% of the island. Kalimantan is home to a wide variety of ecosystems, from coastal mangroves to tropical rainforests, and from mountains and highlands to lowland swamps. The Malaysian state of Sabah and the sultanate of Brunei make up the rest of the island. Borneo is home to a wide variety of plants and animals, and it is estimated that there are over 15,000 species of plants and animals found on the island. This includes a number of endangered species, such as the Sumatran rhinoceros, the Bornean orangutan, and the Bornean clouded leopard. Borneo is also home to a number of unique tribes and cultures, who have inhabited the island for centuries. Borneo is an important part of the global economy, and is a major producer of oil, timber, and rubber. 

Madagascar, located off the southeastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean  and it is the world's fourth largest island. Its unique geography and isolation has created a diverse array of flora and fauna, many of which are found nowhere else on the earth. The majority of Madagascar is composed of plateaus, with the central plateau making up the country's highest elevation at 8,670 feet. The central plateau is surrounded by mountains, including the Ankaratra Massif, the Tsaratanana Massif, and the Marojejy Massif. These mountains form a natural barrier against the wind and rain, allowing the central plateau to remain dry and arid. In the west of Madagascar, the landscape is largely composed of rugged mountains and plateaus, with the Tsiribihina River cutting through the island. 

Baffin Island is located in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and is the largest Island in Canada. It lies in the territory of Nunavut and is the fifth largest island in the world. It is separated from Greenland to the east by the Davis Strait and is bounded by Foxe Basin on the west, Hudson Strait on the south, and the Arctic Ocean on the north. Baffin Island is composed of four distinct regions: Baffin, the Parry Islands, the Belcher Islands, and the Arctic Islands. The highest peak is Mount Odin, which reaches an elevation of 2,147 metres. The island is covered in tundra, with grassland and barren areas also present. The island’s coastline is rugged and includes many fjords.

Sumatra is the sixth largest island in the world by area, located in western Indonesia. It is the largest island that is located entirely in Indonesia. Sumatra is part of the Sunda Islands, and is the westernmost of the major Sunda Islands. Sumatra is characterized by its high mountains and extensive rainforests. The highest peak on the island is Mount Kerinci, at 3,805 meters above sea level. The northern tip of the island is dominated by the Barisan mountain range, which is home to numerous volcanoes, including Krakatau and Toba. 

Honshu is the largest and most populous of the four main islands of Japan. It is the seventh largest island in the world and the second most populous island after Java. Located in the Pacific Ocean, Honshu is situated to the east of the Sea of Japan, and to the west of the Philippine Sea. It is separated from the island of Hokkaido by the Tsugaru Strait, and from Shikoku by the Kanmon Strait. Honshu is composed of several distinct regions, each with its own unique geography and culture. The northern regions of Tohoku and Hokkaido are characterized by rugged terrain and snow-covered mountains, while the central regions of Kanto and Kansai are more densely populated and developed. The western regions of Chubu and Shikoku are known for their lush forests and beautiful coastline. Honshu has a diverse climate, ranging from humid subtropical in the south to subarctic in the north. The climate is influenced by the ocean, with warm sea breezes bringing in more humid air from the south and cool air from the north. The northern regions experience cold and snowy winters, while the warmer southern regions experience milder temperatures and more rainfall. Honshu is home to some of Japan's most iconic landmarks, including Mount Fuji and the ancient capital city of Kyoto. The island is also known for its vibrant cities, such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya, which are hubs of industry, commerce, and culture. 

Victoria Island is a large island located off the coast of British Columbia in Canada. It is the largest island in the Pacific Northwest and the second largest island in the country after Newfoundland. It is situated off the south end of Vancouver Island and is separated from it by the Strait of Georgia. Victoria Island is home to a variety of landscapes, including temperate rainforest, old-growth forests, and rugged coastline. The two main parts of Victoria Island are the Northern and Southern regions. The Northern region is known for its rugged and mountainous terrain, while the Southern region is flatter and contains many lakes and rivers. 

Great Britain is an island located off the northwestern coast of Europe, and is a part of the British Isles. It is the ninth largest island in the world by area. Great Britain is divided into three countries: England, Scotland, and Wales. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the North Sea to the east, and the Irish Sea to the northwest. England, the largest of the three countries, covers an area of 130,395 sq km and is home to 84% of Britain’s population. IScotland covers an area of 78,772 sq km and is home to 8.3% of Britain’s population. Wales covers an area of 20,779 sq km and is home to 5.7% of Britain’s population. 

Ellesmere Island is the tenth largest island in the world and the largest island in the Arctic Archipelago of Canada. Located in Nunavut, the most northern region of the country, Ellesmere Island is the northernmost landmass in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and lies within the Arctic Circle. Ellesmere Island is the third largest island in Canada and accounts for over one-fifth of Nunavut’s landmass. The island is largely covered in glaciers and ice fields, with only about 4% of the landmass being free of ice.