Islands
⭐ MasteredAn island is land completely surrounded by water. Greenland is the largest island, and Australia is considered a continent.
Indonesia has over 17,000 islands.
All about Islands
An island is a piece of land completely surrounded by water. Islands can be formed by volcanoes, by coral reefs or by land that was once connected to a continent and later became separated by rising seas.
Greenland is the largest island in the world. Australia is so large that it is usually counted as a continent instead. Islands often have unique plants and animals that evolved in isolation, such as the Galapagos finches.
Some islands are part of a continent's coast, while others are far out in the ocean.
Islands can form in many ways. Some are made by volcanoes erupting under the sea, while others are coral islands built by tiny animals.
🎮 Try it yourself!
Loading…
👀 What the animation shows
This animation shows a map of islands in the ocean, with some rising from the sea floor. Watch how the islands appear as land surrounded by water.
Real-life uses of Islands
- Providing homes and farms for island communities
- Attracting tourists to beaches and reefs
- Serving as places for scientists to study unique wildlife
Frequently asked questions about Islands
What is the difference between an island and a continent?
A continent is a very large landmass. An island is smaller land surrounded by water. Australia is both a continent and an island.
How are islands formed?
By volcanic eruptions, by coral growth, by sea-level changes or by the movement of tectonic plates.
Which country has the most islands?
Sweden has many islands, and Indonesia and the Philippines are made up of thousands of islands.