Island

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An **island** is a landmass lying in a sea or inland waters, even at high water levels, completely surrounded by water, but not a continent.

Definition and Demarcation Issues

The definition of an island can be somewhat ambiguous due to the varying sizes and shapes of landmasses. However, it is generally agreed that an island must be a separate piece of land surrounded by water on all sides.

Island Size and Habitability

Island size can vary greatly, from small rocky outcrops to large land areas capable of supporting entire countries. The largest island in terms of area is Greenland, which is approximately three times smaller than the smallest continent, Australia. Islands can also be classified based on their habitability, with some being uninhabited and others supporting large populations.

Island Varieties

Islands can be categorized based on their origin and location relative to continents. They are typically divided into two main types: those located in sea waters and those found in fresh waters. Within these categories, islands can be further classified based on their geographical location, such as oceanic or continental islands.

### Oceanic Islands

Oceanic islands are landmasses that are completely surrounded by water and are not connected to any continent. Examples of oceanic islands include the Hawaiian Islands and the Maldives.

### Continental Islands

Continental islands, on the other hand, are landmasses that are connected to a continent but are still surrounded by water. Examples of continental islands include Sicily and Cyprus.

Island Groups and Archipelagos

When several islands are located close together, they can form an **island group** or **archipelago**. An archipelago is a collection of islands that are clustered together in a specific region, often with intervening waters between them. Examples of archipelagos include the Malay Archipelago and the Kuril Islands.

Island States

According to the United Nations, 47 out of 193 sovereign states recognized by the organization are island states. These countries are characterized by their geographical location as islands and often have unique cultural, economic, and environmental characteristics.

Examples in the Solar System

In addition to Earth, there are other examples of islands in our solar system. The largest known island is Titan's island on Saturn's moon Titan, which has a surface area similar to that of Australia.

Terminology

The term "island" can be translated into various languages, with some having distinct meanings or connotations. For example, the Arabic word for "island" (جَزِيرَة) means "cutting" or "separation," reflecting the island's geographical isolation from the mainland.

References

* United Nations
* Various sources on geography and geology