The largest island in the world. The largest islands in the world. What is the largest island in the world?

Almost every schoolboy can answer the question of what is called the largest island on our planet. This is Greenland. It is located between the Atlantic and Arctic oceans, at a distance of 740 kilometers from the North Pole. The island's territory, which covers an area of 2,130,800 square kilometers, is considered part of the North American continent. As for the political status, it has independent management, but belongs to Denmark.

The first settlers

According to historical information, this island was first discovered by Europeans in 877, when the expedition led by Gunbjorn was thrown back by a hurricane in the western direction from Iceland. As for the first settlers on this land, they are considered to be Vikings who arrived on its western coast in 982-983 under the leadership of Eirik Raudi Turvaldson. They chose a few flat areas, well protected from the effects of winds. This area so impressed the Vikings with its lush green vegetation, contrasting with the surrounding glacial desert in the summer, that they called the island Green Land, which translates as "Green Land". It should be noted that this name was originally applied only for the south-west coast. Completely spread to the largest island in the world it was only in the fifteenth century.

Features of the territory

Most of Greenland is covered with glaciers. They occupy an area exceeding 1800 thousand kilometers square. A significant proportion of them, like Antarctica, is a continuous ice block, which practically does not stand even in a relatively warm summer time. Speaking about which island of the world is the largest, it is necessary to note the fact that in recent years there has been a tendency of active reduction of the volume of this shield. This threatens a global catastrophe, because if the entire ice of Greenland completely melts, according to rough estimates of scientists, the water level in the world's ocean will grow by as much as seven meters.

As for the remaining territory, it is a continuous strip, which is mainly in the north and south-western parts and stretches along the coast. In width, they reach places in the 250 km mark. In the areas of contact of the glacier with the banks there is a constant chipping away from it of icebergs of giant sizes. One of these in 1912 broke away from here and led to the collapse of the world-famous ship "Titanic".

Climate

The largest island in the world is characterized by a fairly volatile climate. In summer, the average air temperature in the coastal areas of Greenland is nine degrees. At the same time, there are periods when the thermometer can jump to twenty degrees of heat or go down to zero. The lowest temperatures are typical for the east coast. Here they are, on average, -27 ° C.

Flora and fauna

The largest island - Greenland - can not boast of an abundance of vegetation and animals. The flora here is mostly represented by forest-tundra plots, which are concentrated in the southern part. They consist mainly of dwarf birch. On the west coast, the dwarf willow, lichens and mosses are quite developed. The eastern part of the island is a polar desert, so there are no plants here. The common distinctive feature of the entire Greenland flora is that there are no tall trees here.

Scantiness is characteristic of the local fauna. The most common animals inhabiting the largest island in the world are polar bears, ermines, hares, reindeer, lemmings and Arctic foxes. Wolves are very rare. Birds, walruses, seals and narwhals live mainly on rocky coasts. What is rich in local neighborhoods is a fish that is represented by different species - flounder, cod, catfish and so on.

Population and cities

Speaking about which island of the world is the largest, it is necessary to note the fact that, despite the relatively harsh climate, Greenland is quite populated. Currently, about 58 thousand people live here. Most of them are descendants of indigenous people (Eskimos), as well as colonizers (Danes and Norwegians). Greenlanders are engaged mainly in industrial hunting and fishing. On the territory of the island are official two languages - Greenlandic and Danish.

The capital and at the same time the largest city in Greenland is Nuuk (the title is translated as "good hope"), the photo of which is located above. Its population is just over fifteen thousand people. This settlement was founded in 1756. The main local attraction is the Greenland National Museum.

Flag and coat of arms

The largest island in the world has its own symbolism. His coat of arms is the image of a polar bear (the most common animal here) on a blue background (which symbolizes the two oceans). As for the flag, it has a red-white color. It should be noted that the use of the second color is dictated by the political dependence of the island on Denmark. On the banner is also placed a circle, denoting the sun. However, there is another version regarding this symbolism. In particular, some researchers suggest that the circle denotes the main local landmark - glaciers.

Other large islands of the planet

The largest islands in the world are scattered in all its parts. In second place in size after Greenland is New Guinea, which is located in the Pacific Ocean. It was discovered by one of the Portuguese expeditions in 1526. The island covers an area of 786 thousand square kilometers and is considered a real paradise for tourists. Local flora and fauna are so diverse that even now scientists find new species of plants and animals from time to time.

On the third place in size is the island of Kalimantan, an area of 737 thousand square kilometers. It is simultaneously washed by two straits and four seas. In terms of vegetation (which is the largest island of the planet can not boast) it is the exact opposite of Greenland. The fact is that about 80% of its territory is covered by forests. On Kalimantan there are solid reserves of diamonds, gas and oil, due to which the locals live.

Not far from the African continent is the island of Madagascar, which is the largest in the Indian Ocean. Its area is 587 thousand square kilometers. The island of the same name is located on the territory of the island. The depths of the earth here are rich in various minerals, among which are iron and gold ores. As for the flora and fauna, about 80% of the species are found exclusively in Madagascar.

Honshu Island

Separate words deserve the largest island of Japan - Honshu. Its length is 1,400 kilometers, and the maximum width is 300 kilometers. About 60% of the Japanese territory is located on it. There is also the capital of the country - Tokyo, as well as some other major cities - Osaka, Yokohama and Nagoya. As for the administrative arrangement of the island, the whole of its territory is divided into 34 prefectures.

The local climate, vegetation and relief vary considerably in the regions. True, if the northern part is characterized by medium and low mountains, then in the south they are much higher. On the island there are numerous volcanoes. About twenty of them are considered active in our time. The largest and most famous is Fujiyama.

Honshu, among other things, is the most developed region in Japan from an economic point of view. Most national attractions are concentrated here, including unusual natural landscapes, parks, and architectural monuments.