Top 10 Largest Islands in the World

The world's largest islands are magnificent landmasses that have captured human imagination for centuries. These vast territories, surrounded by water yet large enough to support diverse ecosystems and human populations, represent some of Earth's most fascinating geographical features. From the icy wilderness of Greenland to the tropical biodiversity of New Guinea, these islands showcase the incredible diversity of our planet's geography. For more geographical discoveries, explore our guides to the largest countries by area and tallest mountains in the world.

Methodology

This ranking is based on total land area measurements for each island, using the most recent and accurate geographical data available as of September 2025. The criteria for inclusion are:

Inclusion Criteria:

• Natural landmasses completely surrounded by water
• Total land area including all parts of each island
• Measurements based on official geographical surveys and satellite data
• Excludes continental landmasses (like Australia) and artificial islands

Data Sources:

• United Nations Statistics Division
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• Geological surveys and satellite imagery
• International geographical databases

Important Considerations:

• Land area measurements include all land within an island's boundaries but exclude surrounding water
• Some measurements may vary slightly due to different calculation methods or coastal changes
• Rankings are based on total area, not population density or economic significance
• Data reflects the most current official measurements available as of September 2025

Verification Process: All area measurements have been cross-referenced with multiple authoritative sources and represent the most current and accurate data available. For islands with disputed territories, the measurements reflect the areas claimed by the controlling nations.

List of Largest Islands in the World

10. Ellesmere Island - 196,236 km²

Ellesmere Island is Canada's northernmost island and the 10th largest in the world. Located in the Arctic Archipelago, it's known for its extreme polar climate and stunning glacial landscapes. The island is largely uninhabited, with only a few small research stations and Inuit communities.

Key Facts:

• Population: ~146 (mostly researchers and Inuit)
• Location: Canadian Arctic Archipelago
• Climate: Polar desert
• Famous for: Extreme cold, glaciers, Arctic wildlife

Interesting Facts:

• Ellesmere Island is home to some of the world's most northerly land areas
• The island has the world's most northerly mountain range, the United States Range
• It's home to the world's most northerly lake, Lake Hazen
• The island experiences 24-hour darkness in winter and 24-hour daylight in summer

7. Honshu - 227,898 km²

Honshu is Japan's largest island and the 7th largest in the world. It's the cultural and economic heart of Japan, home to major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. The island features diverse landscapes from mountains to coastal plains.

Key Facts:

• Population: ~104 million
• Location: Japan
• Climate: Temperate with seasonal variations
• Famous for: Tokyo, Mount Fuji, traditional culture

Interesting Facts:

• Honshu is home to about 80% of Japan's population
• The island contains Mount Fuji, Japan's highest peak and most iconic symbol
• It's the most populous island in the world
• Honshu is connected to other Japanese islands by bridges and tunnels

8. Victoria Island - 217,291 km²

Victoria Island is the second-largest island in Canada and the 8th largest in the world. Located in the Arctic Archipelago, it's shared between the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. The island features a mix of tundra, lakes, and small communities.

Key Facts:

• Population: ~2,100
• Location: Canadian Arctic Archipelago
• Climate: Arctic tundra
• Famous for: Arctic wildlife, traditional Inuit culture

Interesting Facts:

• Victoria Island is larger than Great Britain but has a population of only about 2,100 people
• The island is home to the world's largest caribou herd
• It contains over 1,000 lakes and numerous rivers
• The island was named after Queen Victoria in 1839

9. Great Britain - 209,331 km²

Great Britain is the largest island in the British Isles and the 9th largest in the world. It's home to England, Scotland, and Wales, making it one of the most historically significant islands on Earth. The island features diverse landscapes from the Scottish Highlands to the English countryside.

Key Facts:

• Population: ~67 million
• Location: British Isles, Europe
• Climate: Temperate maritime
• Famous for: London, Edinburgh, rich history, diverse culture

Interesting Facts:

• Great Britain is the most populous island in Europe
• The island has over 1,000 smaller islands surrounding it
• It's home to some of the world's most famous landmarks, including Big Ben and Stonehenge
• The island has a rich literary tradition, being the birthplace of Shakespeare and many other famous writers

6. Sumatra - 443,065 km²

Sumatra is Indonesia's largest island and the 6th largest in the world. Located in Southeast Asia, it's known for its tropical rainforests, volcanic mountains, and rich biodiversity. The island is home to endangered species like orangutans and Sumatran tigers.

Key Facts:

• Population: ~58 million
• Location: Indonesia, Southeast Asia
• Climate: Tropical rainforest
• Famous for: Orangutans, volcanoes, coffee, rubber

Interesting Facts:

• Sumatra produces some of the world's finest coffee, particularly from the Gayo region
• The island is home to the critically endangered Sumatran tiger and orangutan
• It's one of the world's most biodiverse islands, with thousands of species found nowhere else
• Sumatra has over 35 active volcanoes, making it one of the most volcanically active regions on Earth

5. Baffin Island - 507,451 km²

Baffin Island is Canada's largest island and the 5th largest in the world. Located in the Arctic Archipelago, it's known for its dramatic fjords, glaciers, and polar bear populations. The island is largely uninhabited, with most people living in small coastal communities.

Key Facts:

• Population: ~13,000
• Location: Canadian Arctic Archipelago
• Climate: Arctic tundra
• Famous for: Polar bears, fjords, Inuit culture

Interesting Facts:

• Baffin Island is larger than Spain but has a population of only about 13,000 people
• The island is home to the world's largest population of polar bears
• It contains some of the world's most spectacular fjords, including the Auyuittuq National Park
• The island was named after English explorer William Baffin

4. Madagascar - 587,041 km²

Madagascar is the world's 4th largest island and one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Located off the coast of Africa, it's known for its unique wildlife, including lemurs, chameleons, and baobab trees. The island has been isolated for millions of years, leading to incredible evolutionary diversity.

Key Facts:

• Population: ~30 million
• Location: Indian Ocean, off the coast of Africa
• Climate: Tropical and subtropical
• Famous for: Lemurs, unique biodiversity, vanilla, gemstones

Interesting Facts:

• Madagascar is home to over 100 species of lemurs, found nowhere else on Earth
• The island produces about 80% of the world's vanilla
• It's home to the world's smallest chameleon, which can fit on a match head
• Madagascar has over 10,000 plant species, with 90% found nowhere else in the world

3. Borneo (Kalimantan) - 748,168 km²

Borneo is the world's 3rd largest island and the largest in Asia. Shared between Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei, it's known for its ancient rainforests, diverse wildlife, and rich cultural heritage. The island is home to endangered species like orangutans and pygmy elephants.

Key Facts:

• Population: ~23 million
• Location: Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei)
• Climate: Tropical rainforest
• Famous for: Orangutans, ancient rainforests, oil, timber

Interesting Facts:

• Borneo is home to the world's oldest rainforest, dating back 130 million years
• The island is shared by three countries: Indonesia (73%), Malaysia (26%), and Brunei (1%)
• It's home to over 15,000 plant species, with many found nowhere else
• Borneo has the world's largest flower, the Rafflesia arnoldii, which can grow up to 1 meter in diameter

2. New Guinea - 821,400 km²

New Guinea is the world's 2nd largest island and the largest tropical island. Shared between Indonesia (West Papua) and Papua New Guinea, it's known for its incredible biodiversity, including thousands of species found nowhere else. The island features diverse landscapes from tropical rainforests to high mountain ranges.

Key Facts:

• Population: ~15 million
• Location: Southwest Pacific (Indonesia, Papua New Guinea)
• Climate: Tropical with highland variations
• Famous for: Biodiversity, tribal cultures, gold, copper

Interesting Facts:

• New Guinea is home to over 1,000 species of birds, including the world's largest pigeon
• The island has over 800 languages, making it the most linguistically diverse place on Earth
• It's home to the world's largest butterfly, the Queen Alexandra's birdwing
• New Guinea contains some of the world's largest gold and copper deposits

1. Greenland - 2,166,086 km²

Greenland is by far the largest island in the world, covering an area larger than Mexico. Despite its name, about 80% of the island is covered by ice, making it one of the most sparsely populated places on Earth. Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark and is known for its stunning Arctic landscapes and unique Inuit culture.

Key Facts:

• Population: ~56,000
• Location: North Atlantic, between North America and Europe
• Climate: Arctic and subarctic
• Famous for: Ice sheet, Northern Lights, Inuit culture, fishing

Interesting Facts:

• Greenland is the world's largest island and the least densely populated country
• The island's ice sheet contains about 8% of the world's fresh water
• Greenland is home to the world's largest national park, Northeast Greenland National Park
• The island experiences the midnight sun in summer and polar night in winter
• Greenland is technically part of North America but has strong cultural and political ties to Europe

Summary of the Top 10 Largest Islands

Conclusion

These 10 magnificent islands represent incredible geographic diversity and natural wonder. From Greenland's icy wilderness to Madagascar's unique biodiversity, each island offers its own distinct characteristics and challenges. The sheer size of these landmasses means they often contain multiple climate zones, diverse ecosystems, and rich cultural traditions.

Whether you're interested in exploring the Arctic landscapes of Canada's northern islands, the tropical biodiversity of Southeast Asian islands, or the cultural richness of Great Britain and Japan, these largest islands offer endless opportunities for discovery and adventure. For more geographical insights, check out our comprehensive guides to the largest countries by area and tallest mountains in the world.

This list is based on total land area and includes all territories within each island's boundaries. Rankings are current as of September 2025 and may vary slightly depending on measurement methods and coastal changes.