Largest Islands in the World: Top 10 Islands by Area

Islands! They spark images of serene beaches and distant shores. While many are small havens, some are colossal, almost mini-continents surrounded by water. Let’s explore the ten largest islands in the world and their unique traits, geography, and human stories. We’re ranking them by land area, revealing how these massive landforms shape our planet. These huge ocean islands are really important for the planet’s nature and often have special plants and animals you can’t find anywhere else. Their big size also changes the weather in nearby areas and how people live there.

List of Top 10 Largest Islands in the World – Area and Location

S.No.	Largest Island in the World	Area (approx. sq km)	Location
1.	Greenland	2,166,000	North Atlantic Ocean (Danish territory)
2.	New Guinea	785,753	North of Australia (Indonesia & Papua New Guinea)
3.	Borneo	748,168	Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei)
4.	Madagascar	587,041	Off southeastern Africa
5.	Baffin Island	507,451	Canadian Arctic Archipelago (Nunavut)
6.	Sumatra	443,065	Indonesia
7.	Honshu	227,938	Japan
8.	Victoria Island	217,291	Canadian Arctic Archipelago (Nunavut & NWT)
9.	Great Britain	209,331	Europe (United Kingdom)
10.	Ellesmere Island	I196,236	Canadian Arctic Archipelago (Nunavut)

1. Greenland (Approx. 2,166,000 sq km)

Greenland is one of the largest islands in the world, covering approximately 2,166,000 square km of area, which contains the second biggest sheet of ice in the world after Antarctica. This ice has cut deep valleys called fjords into the land along the edges, which also affects the global climate. The weather here is always cold, no matter whether it’s winter or summer, and animals like polar bears, Arctic foxes, and seals are found here. The original people of this region, called Inuit, have a strong culture that is connected to the land and ocean, and there are also so many facts present in Greenland. The interesting fact is that ice in Greenland holds about 10% of all freshwater frozen on Earth.

2. New Guinea (Approx. 785,753 sq km)

New Guinea is the second largest island in the world that is situated above Australia and also comes under Indonesia and a country called Papua. The land here is very diverse, with tall mountains (some snowy), thick rainforests, and a wetland. Because of their warm nature, they are full of life, like tropical spots. Amazing and different species of animals and plants live here, and also tribes. Each one is living their own kind of life. People have been living on this island for a very long time, almost 50,000 years.

3. Borneo (Approx. 748,168 sq km)

Borneo is an island in Southeast Asia that is shared by three different countries. (Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei). Its land features rainforests, mountains, and rivers, all flourishing in a hot climate. Its humid climate is also the reason for the sustained ancient forest. Orangutans and proboscis monkeys, which are also impacted by deforestation, call these places home. Numerous indigenous groups, as well as later migrations of Malay, Chinese, and Europeans, have woven a rich cultural tapestry. Furthermore, Borneo’s rainforests also play an important role in maintaining the climate in the surrounding region.

4. Madagascar (Approx. 587,041 sq km)

Imagine an island all alone off Africa – that’s Madagascar! Because it was cut off for ages, it has super special wildlife. The weather varies everywhere because the land is constantly changing, from deserts to rainforests. You won’t find rare animals like lemurs and baobab trees anywhere else but here! The locals, known as Malagasy, have a hip culture that blends African and Asian concepts. Seriously, almost 90% of the animals and plants there are found only in Madagascar!

5. Baffin Island (Approx. 507,451 sq km)

Baffin Island is freezing and is located in the Canadian territory of Nunavut. This island is known for its rough mountains, glaciers, and cold flat land. Some Arctic animals like foxes and polar bears live there. The people who live there are called Inuit, and their culture is fully dedicated to nature. Auyuittuq National Park is the place where you can experience the island’s amazing natural beauty.

6. Sumatra (Approx. 443,065 sq km)

Samutra also comes in between the largest islands in the world that are also renowned for their coffee. It has thick, green rainforests and mountains that can erupt, and it can be a good place to grow things near the middle of the Earth, which makes the place both hot and cold. Sumatran tigers and different species of orangutans can be found here. You will find different groups of people with their own special ways of life living on the island, and Sumatran people are mostly Muslims.

7. Honshu (Approx. 227,938 sq km)

Honshu is the biggest island in Japan, which holds interesting facts and is the place where Tokyo is situated. The land there is really interesting— they have got mountains (Mount Fuji), flat areas, and a lot of coastline. They have a pretty mild climate with all four seasons. Even though many people live there, there are still many different kinds of natural environments. It’s like the heart of Japan, with a long history but also a very modern way of life. They’ve built tunnels and bridges to connect it to Japan’s other main islands.

8. Victoria Island (Approx. 217,291 sq km)

Victoria Island is one of the coldest parts of Canada, which is also called the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The land here is mostly flat and bare, with some rocky hills and many lakes. This island is not very lively because of the cold, but some animals like muskoxen and caribou live there with small groups of Inuit people who still like to live with their roots. The most interesting part of this planet is this island inside it, and inside that island is another island!

9. Great Britain (Approx. 209,331 sq km)

Great Britain is the largest island in the world. it is also the largest in Europe and includes England, Scotland, and Wales. Their land varies a lot, with smooth, round hills in some places and rocky, uneven mountains in others. The weather generally is mild because it is near to the ocean. Even with all the people living there for centuries, there are still many different kinds of natural environments. This island has a very interesting and important history and culture that has influenced the world. There are also many smaller islands surrounding Great Britain.

10. Ellesmere Island (Approx. 196,236 sq km)

Ellesmere Island, which is located in Nunavut, has a very severe polar desert climate, meaning it is extremely cold and does not get much rain or snow. The land here is mostly made up of rough mountains and glaciers. Not so much life is seen there, but some animals like muskoxen and Arctic wolves are found, along with some research stations and small Inuit communities. The very northernmost piece of land in Canada, Cape.

These massive islands significantly influence the global climate and harbour immense biodiversity, often with unique species. They are also home to diverse human populations with rich histories. Learning about the largest island in the world helps us to have a better understanding of Earth’s geography, and its amazing diversity of life and human cultures at the same time that have developed around the oceans. From the frozen landscapes of Greenland to the extremely cold nature of Ellesmere Island, these landmarks around the sea are truly extraordinary and show the true beauty of nature.

FAQs

Find more interesting reads below!

Deepest Lakes in the World	Birds That Cannot Fly
The Invention of the Wheel	The  Evolution of Computers
Strangest Animals in the World	Facts About History of Printing

This was all about the largest islands in the world. If you find the read interesting and wish to read more, then stay tuned to the General Knowledge page of Leverage Edu.