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Largest Islands in the World

The Largest Islands in Size and the Largest Islands by Population

By , About.com Guide

Greenland

The town of Ilulissat, Greenland. Greenland is the world's largest island in area but has a population of just over 56,000 people.

Uriel Sinai/Getty Images
Updated August 21, 2008
Below you will find a list of the largest islands in the world based on size or area followed by a list of the largest islands in the world based on population.

Largest Islands by Area

1. Greenland - North America - 840,004 square miles - 2,175,600 sq km
2. New Guinea - Oceania - 312,167 square miles - 808,510 sq km
3. Borneo - Asia - 287,863 square miles - 745,561 sq km
4. Madagascar - Africa - 226,657 square miles - 587,040 sq km
5. Baffin Island - North America - 195,927 square miles - 507,451 sq km
6. Sumatera (Sumatra) - Asia - 182,860 square miles - 473,606 sq km
7. Honshu - Asia - 87,805 square miles - 227,414, sq km
8. Great Britain - Europe - 84,354 square miles - 218,476 sq km
9. Victoria Island - North America - 83,897 square miles - 217,291 sq km
10. Ellesmere Island - North America - 75,787 square miles - 196,236 sq km

Source: Times Atlas of the World

Largest Islands by Population

1. Java - Indonesia - 124,000,000
2. Honshu - Japan - 103,000,000
3. Great Britain - United Kingdom - 56,800,000
4. Luzon - Philippines - 46,228,000
5. Sumatera (Sumatra) - Indonesia - 45,000,000
6. Taiwan - 22,200,000
7. Sri Lanka - 20,700,000
8. Mindanao - Philippines - 19,793,000
9. Madagascar - 18,600,000
10. Hispaniola - Haiti and the Dominican Republic - 17,400,000

Source: Wikipedia

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