Countries with the Most Islands in the World

According to the UN, an island is classified as a “natural landmass surrounded by water, which is above the water surface”. Greenland, New Guinea, Borneo, Madagascar and Baffin Island (north of Canada) are the largest islands in the world. The world’s smallest island is aptly called “Just enough island”. Countryaah has listed the countries with the most islands in the world. We start at the bottom of the list.

11. Thailand, 1,430 islands

In eleventh place, the Swedes’ favorite destination. That there are many beautiful islands in Thailand is nothing new. But probably fewer than you think, compared to the rest of the world. Thailand has 1,430 islands, both in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea.

10. Greece, 6,000 islands

The number of inhabited islands out of a total of 6,000 in the country known for their fine boating is between 166 and 227. The islands are divided into clusters: the Ionian Islands, the Saronic Islands, the Sporades, the Northeast Aegean Islands, the Dodecanese Islands and the Cyclades. Crete is the largest island and is not part of these clusters.

9. England, 6,289 islands

England itself is an island in the archipelago of Great Britain, the largest of the British Isles, the largest European island and the ninth largest island in the world. But in addition, the country has well over 6,000 islands, more specifically 6,289. Jersey, the Isle of Wight, the Isle of Man, and the Isles of Scilly are some examples.

8. Japan, 6,853 islands

Of Japan’s total 6,853 islands, around 430 are inhabited. The three largest islands are Honshu, Hokkaido and Kyushu.

Japan

7. Philippines, 7,107 islands

The Philippine archipelago is the epitome of paradise and a given destination for diving enthusiasts. There are 7,107 islands of varying sizes, often with swaying palm trees, crystal clear turquoise water and powdery sand. Over 5,000 of the islands are still unnamed.

Philippines

6. Australia, 8,222 islands

The country “down under” boasts 8,222 islands, of which Tasmania, Melville island and Kangaroo island are the three largest.

5. Indonesia, 17,508 islands

The Indonesian archipelago consists of 17,508 islands, of which the three largest islands are New Guinea, Borneo and Sumatra.

4. Canada, 52,455 islands

Canada is one of the world’s most sparsely populated countries. However, there are plenty of islands. Canada comes in fourth place and can list over 50,000 islands scattered across the Atlantic and Pacific.

3. Norway, 55,000 islands

The nature in Norway is characterized by fjords, glaciers and 55,000 islands. The three largest islands are Spitsbergen, Nordaustlandet (Svalbard) and Edgeøya (Svalbard).

Norway

2. Finland, 188,000 islands

“A thousand lakes land” can also boast several thousand islands, including Åland, Karlö and Ålörunt. Around 300 of the islands are located in the beautiful Helsinki archipelago.

1. Sweden, 221,800 islands

In the Kingdom of Sweden, there are many different archipelago areas, not only on the coasts but also in lakes. In the Gulf of Bothnia archipelago, for example, there are over 4,000 islands and 30,000 in the Stockholm archipelago. Other large archipelagos are found in Gothenburg, Bohuslän, Blekinge, Luleå, Sundsvall, Fjällbacka and Oskarshamn. Together, all these archipelagos, including our largest islands such as Öland, Gotland, Södertörn, Orust, Hisingen and Värmdö make Sweden a superior winner in the number of islands in the world.

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