What is an Island?
- An island is a piece of land surrounded by water.
- Can be small or large, natural or man-made.
- Found in oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers.
Types of Islands
1. Continental Islands
- Part of the continental shelf but separated by water.
- Formed by tectonic activity or rising sea levels.
- Examples:
✅ Greenland (Denmark) – Largest island in the world.
✅ Great Britain (UK) – Second-largest continental island.
✅ Madagascar (Africa) – A biodiversity hotspot.
2. Oceanic Islands
- Formed by volcanic activity or coral growth in deep oceans.
- Not connected to a continent.
- Examples:
✅ Hawaiian Islands (USA) – Formed by volcanic activity.
✅ Galápagos Islands (Ecuador) – Famous for unique wildlife.
✅ Iceland – Formed by volcanic and geothermal activity.
3. Coral Islands
- Formed from coral reef deposits over time.
- Found mostly in tropical oceans.
- Examples:
✅ Maldives – A chain of coral atolls.
✅ Lakshadweep (India) – Coral islands in the Arabian Sea.
4. Barrier Islands
- Long, narrow islands parallel to the coast.
- Protect mainland from storms and erosion.
- Examples:
✅ Outer Banks (USA) – Famous barrier islands on the Atlantic coast.
✅ Andaman & Nicobar Islands (India) – Some islands act as barriers.
5. Tidal Islands
- Connected to the mainland at low tide but surrounded by water at high tide.
- Examples:
✅ Mont Saint-Michel (France) – A famous tidal island.
✅ St. Michael’s Mount (UK) – Similar to Mont Saint-Michel.
6. Artificial Islands
- Man-made islands created for various purposes (cities, tourism, military).
- Examples:
✅ Palm Jumeirah (UAE) – Famous artificial island in Dubai.
✅ Flevopolder (Netherlands) – Largest artificial island in the world.
Major Islands of the World
| Island | Country/Region | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Greenland | Denmark | Largest island in the world |
| Madagascar | Africa | Biodiversity hotspot |
| Great Britain | UK | Historic and economic significance |
| Sri Lanka | South Asia | Important trade route |
| Borneo | Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei | Third-largest island |
| Hawaii | USA | Volcanic island chain |
| Galápagos Islands | Ecuador | Unique wildlife, Darwin’s studies |
| Japan (Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku) | Japan | Archipelago nation |
| New Guinea | Indonesia & Papua New Guinea | Second-largest island |
| Andaman & Nicobar | India | Strategic location, biodiversity |
Importance of Islands
✅ Biodiversity Hotspots – Unique ecosystems with rare species (e.g., Galápagos Islands).
✅ Tourism & Economy – Many islands depend on tourism and fishing (e.g., Maldives, Hawaii).
✅ Strategic Military Locations – Used as naval bases (e.g., Diego Garcia, Andaman Islands).
✅ Climate Regulation – Coral islands help maintain marine biodiversity.
Challenges Faced by Islands
❌ Rising Sea Levels – Small islands like Tuvalu are at risk of submersion.
❌ Climate Change – Coral bleaching affects coral islands like Great Barrier Reef islands.
❌ Deforestation & Habitat Loss – Madagascar faces severe deforestation.
❌ Overtourism & Pollution – Excessive tourism damages ecosystems in places like Bali & Maldives.
MCQs on Islands
1. What is the largest island in the world?
a) Greenland
b) Madagascar
c) Borneo
d) New Guinea
Answer: a) Greenland
2. Which island is famous for Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution?
a) Madagascar
b) Hawaii
c) Galápagos Islands
d) New Guinea
Answer: c) Galápagos Islands
3. What is a coral island?
a) Formed by volcanic eruptions
b) Formed by coral reef deposits
c) Formed by sand dunes
d) Formed by glaciers
Answer: b) Formed by coral reef deposits
4. Which of these is an example of an artificial island?
a) Maldives
b) Sri Lanka
c) Palm Jumeirah
d) Iceland
Answer: c) Palm Jumeirah
5. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands belong to which country?
a) Indonesia
b) India
c) Sri Lanka
d) Thailand
Answer: b) India
6. Which island is known for its volcanic activity?
a) Maldives
b) Greenland
c) Iceland
d) Madagascar
Answer: c) Iceland
Short Answer Questions
1. What is an island?
An island is a landmass surrounded by water, found in oceans, seas, lakes, or rivers.
2. Name the types of islands with examples.
- Continental Island – Greenland
- Oceanic Island – Hawaii
- Coral Island – Maldives
- Barrier Island – Outer Banks (USA)
- Tidal Island – Mont Saint-Michel (France)
- Artificial Island – Palm Jumeirah (UAE)
3. Why are islands important?
Islands support biodiversity, tourism, trade, and military operations.
4. What are the threats to islands?
- Rising sea levels
- Climate change
- Deforestation & habitat loss
- Pollution & overtourism
5. What is a barrier island?
A barrier island is a long, narrow island parallel to a coastline, protecting the mainland from storms and erosion (e.g., Outer Banks, USA).
Conclusion
Islands play a crucial role in geography, environment, and human activities. Their types, formation, and significance make them an important topic for competitive exams.
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