Although it is hard to believe, there are still regions of the globe where human action has left no mark, either because they are remote areas of difficult access or because they do not have exploitable economic interest. This mainly occurs in countries that have archipelagos with multiple islands, which have managed to remain almost intact, representing an insular identity, a symbol of culture, history, nature, and way of life. The well-known luxury and lifestyle magazine published by Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, has made a selection of 9 countries that have the largest number of islands.
These are isolated archipelagos destined for adventure and scientific research. The ranking is led by Sweden, with 267,570 islands. The Stockholm archipelago gathers about 30,000 of those islands, and it is home to the largest island, Gotland.There, the Blue Lagoon beach and the medieval town of Visby are well known. The natural spaces allow public access, thanks to the policy called ‘Allemansrätten.’ The second place is for Norway, with 39,057 islands, famous for its fjords. The region offers a landscape of frozen seas, mountains, and fishing communities, from Svalbard to the Lofoten Islands, where northern lights and the phenomenon of the midnight sun are common.
In third place is Finland, with 178,947 islands on the southwestern coast, the Archipelago Sea, and the Åland Islands. These are mainly unaltered environments where new island formations are being created due to post-glacial rebound. The fourth place goes to Canada, with 52,455 islands, among which Baffin and Victoria stand out.Most of them are characterized by having little population, being the subject of scientific research, and possessing arctic and boreal environments. The fifth place belongs to the United States, with 18,617 islands, many of them with permanent populations like Wizard Island, in Crater Lake, which is of volcanic origin. Indonesia ranks sixth, with 17,504 volcanic islands.
Among them, Sumatra, Java, and Borneo (Kalimantan) stand out. Japan takes the seventh place, with 14,125 islands, including Honshu, Hokkaido, and Shikoku. Australia is eighth, with 8,222 islands, particularly Tasmania and the islands of the Torres Strait. Most of them are uninhabited, but the northern islands represent a significant part of marine and terrestrial biodiversity. Last but not least, the Philippines, with 7,641 islands. It is one of the main diving destinations worldwide, with established populations on most of its islands, where reefs and corals can be enjoyed.
Which country has the largest number of islands?
The luxury travel and lifestyle magazine published by Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, has listed the countries with the highest number of islands, and has also highlighted their attractions. There are 9 countries included in this list, offering not only useful information but also ideas for possible destinations.
Sweden
It has 267,570 islands, with a landscape of wooded and rocky islets, especially in the Stockholm archipelago. The largest island is Gotland, famous for Blue Lagoo beach and the medieval city of Visby. Thanks to the ‘Allesmansrätten’ policy, almost all spaces are open to the public.
Norway
Famous for its northern lights and fjords, it has 239,057 islands. Its landscape consists of frozen sea, mountains, and fishing communities, from Svalbard to the Lofoten Islands, where the phenomenon of the midnight sun is common.
Finland
Located on the southwest coast and the Sea of Archipelagos, in addition to the Åland Islands, it has 178,947 islands. Famous for its nautical activities and excursions in minimally altered environments, it also features new island formations due to post-glacial rebound.
Canada
Between the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic oceans lie its 52,455 islands. Some that make up the Canadian Archipelago like Baffin or Victoria, in addition to the Thousand Islands in the southeast. It has multiple Arctic and boreal landscapes, in addition to being suitable for scientific research.
United States
Among Alaska and Pacific regions, there are its 18,617 islands. The Great Lakes or Wizard Island in Crater Lake are listed.
Indonesia
17,504 islands of natural and volcanic origin, such as Sumatra, Java, or Borneo (Kalimantan). The most famous one is undoubtedly Bali, the most visited and touristy of all.
Japan
Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku are some of the 14,125 islands. The islands of Okinawa can also be found there, where remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom can be found.
Australia
Mostly uninhabited, islands like Tasmania or the islands of the Torres Strait make up the 8,222 islands. The islands located to the north have great marine and terrestrial biodiversity.
Philippines
One of the main diving destinations, it has 7,641 volcanic origin islands, offering an underwater landscape full of reefs.
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