Largest Island in the World, List of Top-10

Islands have always captivated the human imagination, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, biodiversity, and cultural richness. In 2023, the largest islands in the world continue to be awe-inspiring destinations, each with its own distinct charm. From the icy expanses of Greenland to the tropical paradises of Indonesia, let’s embark on a journey to discover the top 10 largest islands on our planet.

World’s Largest Island 2023

Greenland, the largest island in the world as of 2023, spans an impressive land area of 836,330 square miles (2,166,086 square km) – a magnitude three times that of Texas. While officially part of Denmark, Greenland has a self-governing authority overseeing domestic affairs. Inhabited primarily by the Inuit people, Greenland’s vast icy expanses, fjords, and glaciers create a breathtaking landscape. This colossal island, depicted in the image [insert hyperlink], stands as a testament to the grandeur of nature and the unique cultural heritage of its resilient inhabitants.

Know More About the Largest Island in the World, Greenland

Here are the some of the important facts related to the Greenland, the world’s largest island which help you to know more about this island:

• Size: Greenland is the largest island in the world, covering an expansive land area of 836,330 square miles (2,166,086 square km), which is three times the size of Texas.
• Geography: It is located in the North Atlantic Ocean and is known for its vast tundra and immense glaciers, creating a stunning landscape of icy beauty.
• Government: While Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, it has a home-rule government responsible for most domestic affairs. The majority of Greenlanders are Inuit, referring to themselves as Kalaallit, Inugguit, or Iit, depending on their region.
• Capital: Nuuk, also known as Godthåb, serves as the capital of Greenland.
• Climate: Greenland experiences an Arctic climate, with rapid weather changes and average winter temperatures ranging from the low 20s F (-7 °C) in the south to approximately -30 °F (-34 °C) in the north.
• Ice Sheet: The island’s major physical feature is its massive ice sheet, second only to Antarctica’s in size. The Greenland Ice Sheet has an average thickness of 5,000 feet (1,500 meters) and covers over four-fifths of Greenland’s total land area.
• Wildlife: Greenland is home to diverse wildlife, including polar bears, musk oxen, reindeer, Arctic foxes, and various marine species like seals and whales.
• Economy: Historically dependent on fishing, Greenland has diversified its economy, with a growing emphasis on tourism. The island has significant potential in hydrocarbon and mineral resources, and oil drilling in Arctic waters began in 2010.
• Language: The official languages are Kalaallisut (West Greenlandic) and Danish. Greenlandic is the principal language of instruction in schools.
• Autonomy: Greenland was granted home rule by Denmark in 1979, allowing the island to govern its domestic affairs. In 2009, it achieved an expanded form of home rule, retaining a greater share of oil and mineral revenue. Calls for greater autonomy and potential independence have been part of the political landscape.

List of Top-10 Largest Islands in the World

Greenland, with the total land area of 2,166,086, holds the title of the largest island in the world, followed by New Guinea, Borneo, Madagascar and Baffin.

Here is the list of top-10 largest islands in the world:

Largest Islands of the World
S. No.	Island	Land Area (in sq. km)	Location	Fact
1.	Greenland	2,166,086	Denmark	Part of Denmark, primarily Inuit population
2.	New Guinea	821,400	Papua New Guinea	Extremely wet climate, sparsely inhabited
3.	Borneo	748,168	Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei	Dense rainforest, incredibly diverse flora
4.	Madagascar	587,295	Africa	Unique wildlife, including numerous lemurs
5.	Baffin	507,451	Canadian territory of Nunavut	Largest island in Canada, uninhabited
6.	Sumatra	443,066	Indonesia	UNESCO World Heritage site with 3 parks
7.	Honshu	227,898	Japan	Contains Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest peak
8.	Victoria Island	217,291	Canada	World’s largest island within an island
9.	Great Britain	209,331	England, Scotland and Wales	Comprises England, Scotland, and Wales
10.	Ellesmere	196,236	Canada	Located in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago

Largest Island in the World – Greenland

Area: 2,166,086 square kilometers

Location: Denmark

Greenland, the world’s largest island, surpassing the size of Texas threefold, is a constituent of Denmark. However, the island operates with a home-rule government, managing its internal affairs independently. The majority of its population comprises Inuit residents.

World’s Second Biggest Island – New Guinea

Area: 821,400 square kilometers

Location: Papua New Guinea

As the second-largest island globally, New Guinea’s Fly-Digul shelf and adjacent highlands are renowned for being some of the wettest places on Earth, with an annual rainfall surpassing 300 inches, contributing to its low population density.

World’s Third Largest Island – Borneo

Area: 748,168 square kilometers

Location: Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei

As the third-largest island globally, Borneo boasts a dense rainforest that serves as a habitat for some of the planet’s most extraordinary flora and fauna. Among its unique species is the world’s largest flower, the monster flower (Rafflesia arnoldii).

Fourth Largest Island in the World – Madagascar

Area: 587,295 sq. km

Location: Africa

Situated approximately 250 miles off the African coast, Madagascar ranks as the fourth largest island globally. This extraordinary island boasts a distinct biodiversity, hosting nearly 40 lemur species—exclusive to Madagascar—and a remarkable array of 800 butterfly species.

Fifth Biggest Island in the World – Baffin

Area: 507,451 sq. km

Location; Canada

As the fifth largest island on the planet, Baffin Island is situated in the northern Canadian territory of Nunavut. Its name honors the 17th-century English navigator, William Baffin. With the exception of a handful of small coastal villages, the island remains uninhabited.