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Australia is not the largest island in the world. It is the world's smallest continent. It is only referred to as an "island continent" because it is completely encircled by water. The largest island in the world is Greenland.

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Greenland is the world's largest what?

Yes. At 2,175,590 km2 in area (840,000 square miles), Greenland is the world's largest island. Australia is often erroneously thought of as the world's largest island. Geographically, Australia is a continent, not an island. As a landform, it could be considered an island as it is entirely surrounded by water and not joined onto any other land mass. For this reason, it is often referred to as an island continent. Australia is too big to be formally classified as an island. The world's largest island is Greenland. Another reason why Australia is also considered a continent is because it sits on its own tectonic plate. This is different from Greenland, which uses the same land mass as North America.


What island is the largest?

Australia is the world's largest island. Australia is too large to be considered an island, it is a continent. If you disregarding island/continents then Afro-Eurasia would be the largest island at 84,400,000 km2. But by definition of island, Greenland is the largest island, about 1/3 the size of Australia.


What is the largest island nation in the world?

The largest island in the world is Greenland with a total area of 839,999 square miles. After that comes New Guinea, Borneo, Madagascar, and Baffin.


Largest island in this world and where is it?

Some people say that Australia is the biggest island, but others say that Greenland is because Australia doesn't count as an island, being a continent. Greenland is in the north hemisphere and Australia is on the southern hemisphere.


True or false Greenland and Australia are the world's biggest islands?

True. Greenland is the world's largest island, followed by Australia, which is also considered an island due to its size and geographic characteristics.

Related Questions

Wolrds second largest island?

Assuming that you take Australia to be an island, Greenland is the 2nd largest.


What country is the world's largest island?

Australia is the world's largest island.


What is the widest island in the world?

the largest island is australia


Is Australia country or continent?

It is both. Australia is the world's smallest continent (not the largest island) and it is a country. There are no other countries on the continent of Australia.


What makes Australia the largest island in the world?

Australia is considered the largest island in the world because it meets the criteria of being an island, as it is surrounded by water, and also a continent, as it is a large landmass. This unique combination makes Australia the largest island on Earth.


What is the world's largest island that is not a capital?

Australia


Is Australia the world's largest Island but the smallest and least populated continent?

Australia is the worlds smallest continent; however the least populated is Antarctica. Technically Australia is not an island. If it was, so would every other place in the world as everything is surrounded by water. Continents are not islands. The largest island in the world is Greenland.


Wouldn't Antarctica be the largest island instead of Australia?

Australia is not the world's largest island. At 2,175,590 km2 in area (840,000 square miles), Greenland is the world's largest island. Australia is often erroneously thought of as the world's largest island. Geographically, Australia is a continent, not an island. As a landform, it could be considered an island as it is entirely surrounded by water and not joined onto any other land mass. For this reason, it is often referred to as an island continent. Australia is too big to be formally classified as an island. The world's largest island is Greenland. Another reason why Australia is also considered a continent is because it sits on its own tectonic plate. This is different from Greenland, which uses the same land mass as North America.


Australia is not the largest?

Australia is not the largest island. Geographically, Australia is a continent, although it is often referred to as an island continent.The world's largest island is recognised as being Greenland.See the related question for more information.


Greenland is the world's largest what?

Yes. At 2,175,590 km2 in area (840,000 square miles), Greenland is the world's largest island. Australia is often erroneously thought of as the world's largest island. Geographically, Australia is a continent, not an island. As a landform, it could be considered an island as it is entirely surrounded by water and not joined onto any other land mass. For this reason, it is often referred to as an island continent. Australia is too big to be formally classified as an island. The world's largest island is Greenland. Another reason why Australia is also considered a continent is because it sits on its own tectonic plate. This is different from Greenland, which uses the same land mass as North America.


What is the world's largest island but 3.5 times smaller than Australia?

The world's largest island (by correct geographical definition) is Greenland.


Is Greenland and Australia the world's biggest islands?

At 2,175,590 km2 in area (840,000 square miles), Greenland is the world's largest island; Australia is not an island.Australia is often erroneously thought of as the world's largest island. Geographically, Australia is a continent, not an island. As a landform, it could be considered an island as it is entirely surrounded by water and not joined onto any other land mass. For this reason, it is often referred to as an island continent. Australia is too big to be formallyclassified as an island. The world's largest island is Greenland.Another reason why Australia is also considered a continent is because it sits on its own tectonic plate. This is different from Greenland, which uses the same land mass as North America.