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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 actually 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. That is why the geological appearances are much different in Australia than anywhere else. A place like Greenland shares the same geologic attributes as North America.

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Moshe Kunze

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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.


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.


Other than Australia what is the largest island in the world?

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.


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.


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.

Related Questions

Australia biggest island?

Australia is a Continent, Greenland is the largest island


What is the worlds largest island that is not a continent?

The world's largest island that is not a continent is Greenland. It is located in the North Atlantic Ocean and is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Greenland is known for its stunning landscapes, including glaciers, fjords, and icebergs.


What is the largest Largest Island?

GREENLAND Australia is an island continent. Greenland is one-third its size.


What is a continent and an island?

Some say Australia is a continent and an island, but by geographic convention, Australia is a continent, and Greenland is an island. Also, Antarctica is a continent, and not regarded as an island (again, by geographic convention).


Which continent is the largest island but the smallest continent?

There is no continent that fits this description. The smallest continent is Australia. The largest island is Greenland. At best, Australia is described as an island continent, but geologically and geographically, it is classified as a continent.


Which is an island Australia or Greenland?

Greenland is an island, and 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 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. That is why the geological appearances are much different in Australia from anywhere else. A place like Greenland shares the same geologic attributes as North America.


Biggest Island of the world?

Greenland is, Australia would be, but it is it's own continent.


What landmass is an island and a continent?

Australia is considered by some to be an island and a continent. It is the world's smallest continent, and it is an island because it is entirely surrounded by water. However, it is theoretically too large to be considered an island. The world's largest island is Greenland.


What are the two smallest continents in land area that also fir the definition of an island?

There are not any. Australia is the smallest continent. And however tempting it may be to call it an island it is not. Greenland is the wolds biggest island however Greenland is not a continent.


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.


Why isn't Australia called the largest island in the world?

Because it's not. The scientists have proved that Australia is no longer one since the land mass is to big to become an island. therefore Greenland being the largest island Australia is the smallest continent.


Is Australia the world's biggest island?

No. Australia is a continent. The biggest island in the world is Greenland, at 2,175,590 km2 in area (840,000 square miles).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.