We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Geography

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the World's Largest Islands?

Michael Anissimov
By
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 11,463
Share

The largest islands in the world are Greenland, with an area of 822,706 sq mi (2,130,800 sq km), followed by New Guinea, with an area of 303,381 sq mi (785,753 sq km), and Borneo, with an area of 288,869 sq mi (748,168 sq km). These are followed by Madagascar, with an area of 226,917 sq mi (587,713 sq km), Baffin Island (Canada), with an area of 195,928 sq mi (507,451 sq km), and Sumatra (Indonesia), with an area of 171,069 sq mi (443,066 sq km). All the other largest islands have areas of less than 100,000 sq mi, like Honshū (Japan), Victoria Island (Canada), and Great Britain (UK).

Despite being foremost among the world's largest islands, Greenland is largely uninhabited, with a population of just 60,000. This makes it one of the least densely populated places on Earth outside Antarctica, with a population density of just 0.069 people per square mile (0.027 per sq km). For many years a province of Denmark, Greenland is now an independent democratic country within the larger Kingdom of Denmark, with its capital at Nuuk, also known as Godthåb ("Good Hope"). Though most of the island is covered in continental ice sheet (the only area outside of Antarctica to have one), much of the ice is melting and opening up larger portions of the island to oil and gas prospecting.

The second of the largest islands in the world is New Guinea, located just north of Australia. Even though New Guinea only makes up less than a half of a percent (0.5%) of the Earth's surface, 5-10% of the world's plant and animal species can be found there, many of them endemic. This rainforest-covered island is famous for its great biodiversity and large swaths of land unexplored by biologists and anthropologists. It is believed that over 44 uncontacted tribes live in the highland regions of the island, a number second only to Brazil. The discovery of new species on New Guinea are announced regularly, and the island continued to be a popular destination for both eco-tourists and scientists.

The third of the largest islands of the world is Borneo, another rainforest island located a few hundred miles to the west of New Guinea. Divided between the countries of Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei, Borneo has a population of 16 million, making it the most populated of the world's largest three islands. Like New Guinea, Borneo displays a high degree of biodiversity and contains what is considered one of the three great rainforests of the world, along with the Amazon Rainforest and the Congo Rainforest. Many animals found here are found nowhere else, like the orangutan and the Sumatran Rhino.

Share
CulturalWorld.org is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Michael Anissimov
By Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov is a dedicated CulturalWorld.org contributor and brings his expertise in paleontology, physics, biology, astronomy, chemistry, and futurism to his articles. An avid blogger, Michael is deeply passionate about stem cell research, regenerative medicine, and life extension therapies. His professional experience includes work with the Methuselah Foundation, Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and Lifeboat Foundation, further showcasing his commitment to scientific advancement.
Discussion Comments
By anon107554 — On Aug 30, 2010

Ummm, I couldn't help but notice that you did not name Australia, which is considered as an island, and at that, the world's largest island. I would put Australia at the top of the list, followed by the other islands you named.

Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov is a dedicated CulturalWorld.org contributor and brings his expertise in paleontology, physics,...
Learn more
Share
https://www.culturalworld.org/what-are-the-worlds-largest-islands.htm
Copy this link
CulturalWorld.org, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

CulturalWorld.org, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.