Many countries, for example, Spain, are not only the mainland, but also islands - in this case, the famous Ibiza, Tenerife, Mallorca, etc. However, there are countries that are completely located exclusively on the islands. At the moment, among the 194 independent states of the world, 47 are islands. In principle, Australia can also be counted among them. Although this country is located on the continent, there are no land borders in it, and this is typical for island states. Many of these countries can offer luxurious conditions for recreation and magnificent views. 13 of the most beautiful island nations in the world are presented to your court.

Singapore

Singapore is one of the wealthiest island countries in the world. The city-state is located on an island near the southern end of the Malay Peninsula, with an area of ​​​​only about 720 square kilometers, making Singapore one of the smallest countries in South-East Asia. The beauty of this country lies not so much in natural formations, but in amazing buildings, unusual structures and Asian charm.

Jamaica

The name of this country and the island comes from a distorted Native American word "haymaka", which literally means "island of springs". Indeed, there are many small but very picturesque rivers and streams on the island. And also an island in the Caribbean - these are wonderful hills, coral sand beaches, high mountains and dense forests, occupying a fifth of the island.

Seychelles

Seychelles is a beautiful archipelago of 115 islands in Indian Ocean with the most beautiful beaches and gorgeous exotic nature. No wonder the Seychelles is so popular with tourists from all over the world!

Mauritius

Mauritius is located in the Indian Ocean East Africa. The republic includes two large islands, Mauritius and Rodrigues, as well as the Cargados-Carajos archipelago, the Agalega Islands and many small islands. The nature of Mauritius is good: the shores are fringed coral reefs, in picturesque valleys sugarcane plantations sway, plateaus and mountains are cut by hundreds of small streams, waterfalls rumble in the jungle, and craters of extinct volcanoes exude thin smoke.

Iceland

We are transported from the warm islands to the northern, Atlantic islands. Iceland is an intriguing and fascinating country, and it is located on large island with the same name and small islands around it. By the way, Iceland is the most big Island volcanic origin, and some volcanoes periodically erupt lava, breaking through the ice crusts.

Japan

The fourth largest island nation is one of the most distinctive countries in the world. Here the West meets the East, giving birth to an amazing culture. Japanese megacities are whole multi-layer anthills, and Japanese nature, especially, Cherry blossoms inspired many poets and writers. Japan is covered with a dense network of short full-flowing rivers, there are many quiet lakes, and probably everyone has heard about Mount Fuji.

Fiji

An amazing country in the South Pacific Ocean is very fond of surfers around the world for its gorgeous waves and luxurious beaches. Fiji is 332 volcanic and coral islands covered with mangroves, tropical rainforests and savannahs.

Saint Lucia

This state is one of the smallest among the islands: its area is only 620 km². The island in the Caribbean was discovered by Columbus in 1502 on Saint Lucia's Day - hence the name. Truth, picturesque island the warlike Carib Indians lived, so at first it was not possible to resettle the Europeans there. Today official language states - English, although Patois is common among a significant part of the population.

Palau

Palau is even smaller than Saint Lucia. This state is located in the east of the Philippines, in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, on a placer of small atolls formed on the tops of underwater volcanoes. The underwater world off the coast of Palau is so good that it has even been declared an underwater wonder of the world; the gardens and forests of the islands are thickets of orchids and exotic flowers, and millions of jellyfish live in the lakes.

Madagascar

Let's jump from one of the smallest island states to the second largest - Madagascar. An island in the Indian Ocean, south of the African continent, is home to 5% of all animal and plant species on this planet, of which more than 80% are endemic.

Cuba

A charming island with a sensational history boasts white sandy beaches, blue waters and the best coral reefs in the world, and Cuban culture is amazingly interesting and colorful. Viva la Cuba!

Kiribati

Most likely, you have never heard of this state. But in vain, because this is one of the most beautiful island countries in the world. Located in the Pacific Ocean, the state is located on 33 atolls, twenty of which are uninhabited. Only 100 thousand people live in the whole country - the natives of the Tungara and Banaba, who speak their own language of Kiribati.

Maldives

The area of ​​this state is only 298 sq.m., but it is known throughout the world for its expensive exclusive resorts with a high level of service. Islands in the heart of the Indian Ocean are often chosen by newlyweds for honeymoon- it's so romantic there!

The islands are a little piece of paradise. Which country can claim to have the most islands? Which country has the most islands? Islands can be very large or very small and are mostly made up of rocks.

It is estimated that approximately 700 million people on earth live on islands. Due to their isolation, the islands usually offer a unique environment as they tend to be hotspots of biodiversity with rare flora and fauna. It is assumed that Sweden has more islands than any other country in the world. The following are other countries that have the largest number islands:

Estonia - 2355

A 2015 study found that there are 800 more islands in Estonia than previously thought, leading to total islands in the country has reached 2355. The largest island in Estonia is Saaremaa, total area which is 2,671 sq. km. Many islands in Estonia are not inhabited.

Greece - 6000

Various sources indicate that the number of islands in Greece is between 1600 and 6000 depending on the minimum size defined as an island. Of the total, over 166 have permanent settlements. Crete is the largest Greek island by area, followed by Euboea, Lesbos and Rhodes. All the islands are in different clusters, namely: the islands of the North Aegean Sea at west coast Turkey, the Argo-Saronica islands near Athens, the Cyclades in the center of the Aegean, the Dodecanese near Turkey, the Sporades off the coast of Euboea and ionian islands in the Ionian Sea. The Ionian Islands have the best sandy beaches, while the Delos Islands abound in historical and cultural monuments because it is the birthplace of Apollo.

UK - 6289

Great Britain is an island itself, separated from mainland Europe by the North Sea and the English Channel. Including everything overseas territories The UK has 6289 islands, most of which are in Scotland.

Japan - 6 853

Japan is an archipelago of 2,990 kilometers, consisting of 6,853 islands, of which more than 430 are inhabited by people. The four main islands are Honshu (which is the largest), Hokkaido, Shikoku and Kyushu. While most of them are natural, there are a few artificial islands in Japan. Each of inhabited islands Japan has a unique cultural and biological diversity. Japanese islands are a rich base for research and expeditions, as well as for fishing. About 1,500 earthquakes occur annually throughout the country. Four-fifths of Japan's territory is covered with forests and mountain ranges, about 200 active volcanoes make it difficult to expand settlements, farms, or industry.

Philippines - 7107

The Philippines is a tropical country located in Southeast Asia. Many of the country's 7,107 islands are popular with tourists for their beautiful beaches and turquoise waters. The largest island in the Philippines is Luzon, which is also the most populated island. Most Big city on the island of Luzon - Quezon.

Australia - 8222

According to the latest data, there are more than 8,000 islands in Australia. The actual number is estimated at 8222. Of these, 3747 islands are in Western Australia, 1955 in Queensland, 1000 in Tasmania, 88 7 in the Northern Territory and 346 in South Australia. Melvin Island is the largest of the total number of islands. Australia boasts a variety of wildlife including kangaroos and platypuses. Other attractions include a large barrier reef, lakes, forests and vast desert.

Indonesia - 17,508

The Republic of Indonesia is an archipelago mainly volcanic islands located in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is the 14th largest country in the world by area. The main islands in Indonesia include the Malaku and Sunda groups. On the Sunda Islands is the island of Java, on which the capital of the state, the city of Jakarta, is located. Indonesian islands are popular with tourists for their unique beaches, volcanoes, prehistoric relics, limestone cliffs and abundant wildlife including forests, elephants, tigers and more. wild nature and the culture of Indonesia make this country one of the best tourist destinations on the planet.

Canada - 52 455

According to statistics from Canada, the state has 52,455 islands. The largest of them is Baffin Island, which has an area of ​​507,451 square kilometers. About 30,000 islands lie within the Hudson Bay, making it one of the largest archipelagos with fresh water. A total of 1,864 islands are on the St. Lawrence River. North of the Canadian mainland lies the Canadian Archipelago, which contains the Queen Elizabeth and Manitoulin Islands. Manitoulin Island is the largest freshwater island in the world and has 17 lakes, which in turn contain even smaller islands.

Norway - 55000

The northern European country of Norway has over 55,000 islands. In fact, there are so many islands that it's hard to count them exactly. The Norwegian coastline is estimated to be between 25,000 km and 83,000 km long. The largest island in Norway is Svalbard.

Finland - 188,000

The Finnish Tourism Board recognizes that the country has 179,584 islands, 98,050 of which are located in the country's 188,000 lakes. Only 455 of these islands have permanent settlements and are connected by water to the mainland and have no roads. Over 700 of the islands are relatively large and have road links to the mainland. Other tens of thousands serve recreational, expeditionary, research or other purposes. Tourists here can enjoy horseback riding, kayaking, fishing and other outdoor activities.

Sweden - 221 800

Experts estimate that there are 221,800 islands in Sweden, most of which are uninhabited. This number means that Sweden probably has more islands than any other country in the world. Even the capital of the country - the city of Stockholm - is an archipelago of fourteen islands, connected by more than 50 bridges, as well as medieval city Gamla Stan, museums and royal palaces. The island of Öland has well-maintained beaches, a castle and structures dating back 5,000 years, making the island a world heritage UNESCO. Other islands offer swimming, fishing and other water sports.

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Island states are those countries that do not have land borders - their territories border only on water bodies. There are quite a few such countries in the world, however, they differ significantly. There are also peninsular countries - of those that are on the peninsulas. There are countries that are rightfully considered mainland, but their capitals are located on an island or islands - for example, Equatorial Guinea and Denmark. There are island states in Asia, Europe, and other parts of the world.

Great Britain on the world map

island mentality

The fundamentally different positions of island countries and continental countries are felt in everything from everyday life to political worldviews. If we evaluate the practical way of life, then the difference is obvious. The inhabitants of the continent are accustomed to the fact that when there is a shortage of any resources - gold, oil, gas, timber, human resources - they can always be borrowed from neighbors (both with their consent and without it). The islanders think differently. All they have is an island. The smaller it is, the stronger the difference in mentalities is felt. Their world is more fragile, and at the same time more connected, related.

They say that every inhabitant of the islands carries the island with him - in his soul and in his thoughts. Partly it is. Limited territories meant that there were practically no ubiquitous large dynasties on the islands that would rule and own the lands from generation to generation. The island has adopted a more communal way of life, very much dependent on the collective subconscious.

Island small countries in the Caribbean

Many island countries are located in the Caribbean, among them well-known countries and Cuba. Very interesting from the point of view of tourism, and practically unclaimed for a wide flow of migrants.

Cuba remains one of several socialist states. Once this country was called the Island of Freedom, but today few people like the version of freedom that is adopted in Cuba. Here, the quality of education is frankly low, but the best medicine, as the Cubans say. Thanks to its territorial proximity, Cuba constantly sends its own doctors to third world countries.

Most of the local population works for the good of the state, officials earn about 20 dollars a month, and milk is given to children for free. At the same time, it is a closed country with an area of ​​just over 100,000 km2. with its own way of life, which is difficult to understand for a European or a Russian.

Among the island nations, New Zealand stands apart. Today it is called one of the most promising countries - it is attractive in terms of living standards, social development and economic environment. Incomes among the population are slightly lower than in Australia, Sweden and Canada, but New Zealand has the best environment. Remoteness from Europe and the continent played a role in the development of society and way of life - everything here is not the same as in Europe. The environmental situation is more than favorable - for good reason New Zealand called the greenest country in the world.

The Philippines stands out very strongly among the island states. There is practically no direct air communication with this state, and a rare tourist traveled to those parts. Too many prejudices - bad beaches, long flights, lack of exotics. The latter is the most surprising.

In fact, historically, it has developed so that instead of preserving own history and culture, the Philippines absorbed the traditions brought by foreigners, and as a result, a symbiosis of several European countries. Of course, the jungle and palm trees create a feeling resort area, but there is no internal, genuine exoticism.

Davao is a city in the Philippines

Unique ceremonies and rituals have replaced the traditional services of Catholics, there is no national dress here and is unlikely to appear, the entire population wears T-shirts and Bermudas. Even in culinary preferences, the Filipinos differed from other islanders - they mainly eat meat here. It will not be easy for raw foodists and vegans here - almost all local vegetables and fruits are brought from other countries, they are expensive and do not have bright tastes. BUT local kitchen based on meat eaters.

Papua New Guinea is one of the most exotic islands

There are island countries and in Oceania - an independent state Papua New Guinea. Its coast is washed by four seas, and there is a land border only with Indonesia.

Unlike many island countries, Papua New Guinea carefully preserves its traditions - even those that seem very, very strange to people with mainland. For example, for many decades the ritual of burial of the dead by smoking has been preserved, after which the mummy is hung in a cage on a rock - according to local traditions, all the dead become guardians of villages and tribes.

Here, almost virgin jungle, inhabited by various tribes of natives. More than a thousand tribes live here - they speak different languages ​​​​and are not always able to understand each other.

Indonesia

Indonesia occupies about 2,000,000 km2 - among the island countries, it is the largest. This country is popular among both tourists and travelers who like to spend the winter in warmer climes. Two oceans meet here and exotic landscapes are everywhere, the local population sacredly keeps their own ancient traditions.

Bali island in Indonesia

On the other hand, Indonesia is located on many islands - they are exotic, distant from each other and for the most part untouched by man. Stunning landscapes and impenetrable thickets, ancient civilizations. Indonesia, like other archipelagos, has its own charm - for example, there are more than 15,000 islands, large and small, of which about a thousand are permanently inhabited. Most of the territory is mountain ranges.

Tourists travel to Indonesia in order to plunge into the atmosphere of Asia, to study its being and features, and also to fully enjoy Asian exoticism - extraordinary fauna and flora, stunning landscapes and original culture.

Madagascar is considered to be another large island country. More than twenty different nationalities live here, the most ancient cult of ancestors is in the course, there are many protected areas and excellent tourist infrastructure, which never ceases to delight travelers.

small island states

There are a large number of island states that are practically unknown to the general public. This list includes states such as:
Antigua and Barbuda - a place with fabulous nature, practically untouched by civilization, belongs to the archipelago of the Antilles (small).

• Aruba is a small Caribbean island dotted with sandy beaches and clear waters.
• The Bahamas, which attract lovers of underwater sports and fishing from all over the world.
• Barbados with its finest coral sand and stunning beaches.
• Bahrain is one of the most developed and progressive countries in the Gulf.
• Muslim Brunei, where the great Sultan lives.
• Vanuatu, which is called the land of happiness.
• Dominica and Dominican Republic- tourists usually confuse them, and this is no wonder - similar names, and a similar shape of the device.

Island countries in Europe

Green hilly Ireland, which for many centuries was famous for its natural resources. Plains strewn with clover, gloomy rocks and the ocean, which in these parts is very gentle. Ireland is part of the UK, as are England, Scotland and Wales.

Iceland, which is sometimes called the state of volcanoes, sheep and oceans. A small state, the population of which does not exceed the population of a provincial Russian city. Iceland is famous for its magical, amazing landscapes - and it's not just their unconditional beauty. Rivers and lakes, volcanoes and geysers, green hills and friendly people - that's all that catches your eye at first glance.

Despite all the originality, Iceland is one of the most modern countries in terms of energy development. There are no thermal stations here, and almost every river is equipped with its own hydroelectric power station.

beautiful scenery of Iceland

Cozy Cyprus, which is located in the Mediterranean Sea and has become a favorite place of life for wealthy Europeans, people come here to spend their old age with taste, enjoy the sea and excellent cuisine.

The island of Malta will surprise guests with the lack of fresh water on the island - almost all the water needed to sustain people's lives is obtained with the help of distillers.

Another interesting state in Europe are Faroe islands. The harsh northern nature and the most beautiful mountain landscapes will not leave indifferent any of the travelers who have been there.

Faroe islands

28.06.2017

When it comes to travel, the most popular countries like France, England, Italy or Greece are the first to come to mind. However, unfortunately, few are familiar with the history and culture of less recognizable countries. Below is a ranking of the most unpopular destinations in tourism.

Tuvalu (1000 tourists)

Surprisingly, the South Pacific paradise of Tuvalu, which is located in Polynesia, is absolutely unpopular with tourists. Turquoise waters with perfect beaches and untouched shores amaze the imagination.

AT state has a very low crime rate and there are no permanent military establishment, which is why the country's budget does not provide for the cost of maintaining the army.

Kiribati (5000 tourists per year)

The state of Kiribati, formerly known as the Gilbert Islands, is located in the center of the Pacific Ocean. It is isolated from the outside world: from almost all modes of transport and communications.

Sao Tome and Principe (8000)

If you are in the mood for a calm and measured vacation, a trip to one of the smallest countries in Africa, Sao Tome and Principe, will be a great solution. Tourists can see whales and dolphins with their own eyes, as well as explore with scuba diving undersea world.

Comoros (15000)

The islands in the Indian Ocean are located near Madagascar and are perfect place for rest from problems and fuss. Tourists can visit the places where lemurs live, explore the rich underwater world, and also admire the volcanic landscapes.

Sierra Leone (24000)

The state is on the coast Atlantic Ocean and borders Liberia. The Ebola outbreak contributed greatly to the decline in tourists in 2015. Fortunately, after two years, tourists are gradually starting to return to the country. This is due to the fact that WHO declared the end of the epidemic.

Timor-Leste (60000)

Holidays on the island of Timor-Leste are perfect for tourists who want to retire. locals organize excursions to the jungle, and in the eastern part of the island you can explore the village markets in the mountains. However, one should be careful, because the high level of crime is the main problem of the state.

Liechtenstein (61000)

The sixth largest country in the world is also one of the least visited. The state borders with Austria in the east and Switzerland in the west. , moreover, it is considered the only country in the world that is located entirely in the Alps.