Which Country Has the Most Islands? (And Runners-Up!)

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Which Country Has the Most Islands? (And Runners-Up!)


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The world is residence to 1000’s of islands. Some are big international locations like Greenland. Meanwhile, others are tiny and unpopulated. Many of us image islands as tropical paradises, however there are many isles which might be rocky and chilly outpoints. But which nation has probably the most islands? That is the journey trivia query! Take a guess after which learn on to study the reply and uncover why you must plan an island trip in these intriguing locations.

Which country has the most islands?
Which nation has probably the most islands? (Photo credit score: shalamov, Depositphotos.com)

1. Sweden

Sweden holds the document because the nation with probably the most islands. In truth, there are over 270,000 islands within the nation in accordance with Statistics Sweden. Most of those, whereas stunning, are uninhabited islands. Many of those be part of collectively to kind archipelagos (collections of islands).

Among the most well-liked spots for island lovers in Sweden are the Gothenburg Archipelago and Stockholm Archipelago. Along the southeast coast of the nation, holidaymakers love Öland for its white sandy seashores, shallow waters, and abundance of windmills. Personally, for a getaway not removed from Stockholm, I like to recommend a couple of days of contemporary air and scrumptious delicacies in lakefront Sigtuna with a view of tiny Tree Island in its middle.

Islet  in Sigtuna, Sweden
Tree Island in Sigtuna, Sweden (Photo credit score: Colleen Lanin)

2. Norway

Because Norway doesn’t rely rocky islets as neighboring Sweden does, this nation is available in second place with simply over 239,000 islands. According to some sources, nonetheless, Norway truly holds extra islands than Sweden. For each international locations, most of those islands are positioned within the Arctic Circle.

The most well-known isles in Norway are the Lofoten Islands within the Land of the Midnight Sun in summer time and really chilly climate in winter months. Travelers flock to this area of Norway for outside adventures like biking, climbing, fishing, kayaking, and even Arctic browsing. The major draw, although, is the beautiful Aurora Borealis. The Northern Lights could be considered sometimes from late-August to mid-April annually.

Aurora Borealis over the Lofoten Islands in Norway
Aurora Borealis over the Lofoten Islands in Norway (Photo credit score: DmitryRukhlenko, Depositphotos.com)

3. Finland

Finland’s Ministry of Employment and the Economy states that Finland is residence to almost 180,000 islands. (As somebody who’s primarily Finnish in heritage, I’d brag about Finland’s islands if Finns ever bragged about something.) This giant variety of islands contains over 98,000 freshwater islands and almost 81,000 sea islands.

When I traveled solo by means of my grandparents’ homeland years in the past, I struck up a dialog with a Finnish man throughout a prepare journey and he satisfied me to spend a couple of days in Finland’s Lake District. I’m so glad I took his recommendation! The bountiful inexperienced islands scattered among the many cobalt-blue lakes had been a sight to behold and jogged my memory of my childhood residence, Minnesota.

Islands in Finland
Islands in Finland (Photo credit score: nblxer, Depositphotos.com)

4. Canada

It is smart {that a} nation with a big landmass and expansive shoreline could be residence to a whole lot of islands. In truth, Canada is the second largest nation by whole space and boasts the longest shoreline on this planet. It ought to come as no shock, then, that there are almost 52,500 islands in Canada.

It is estimated there are over 30,000 islands simply alongside the jap shore of Georgian Bay (a.okay.a. The Thirty Thousand Islands).

Vancouver Island alongside the Pacific Coast in British Columbia makes an attractive vacation selection for households. It’s residence to sights just like the famend rock-quarry-turned-botanic backyard named Butchart Gardens in addition to fairly seashores, a well-known afternoon tea, and spectacular whale watching. Discover the greatest issues to do in Vancouver Island with children.

Three killer whales off the shores of Vancouver Island
Three killer whales off the shores of Vancouver Island (Photo credit score: JuRitt, Depositphotos.com)

5. United States of America

Coming in fifth place, the United States comprises over 18,500 islands. In truth, Alaska alone has 2,600+ islands.

In addition to a large number of smaller inland lake islands and coastal islands alongside each the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, the USA is residence to quite a few giant islands in its territories and states. These embrace the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Hawaiian Islands, amongst others.

Hawaii’s volcanic islands are what many people take into account once we dream of an idyllic island trip. These standard islands possess stunning seashores, plentiful vacationer sights, and many outside adventures like horse driving and snorkeling.

The largest island within the U.S. is the Big Island of Hawaii. It encompasses over 4,000 sq. miles and is residence to the wonderful Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Oceanview from the Big Island of Hawaii
Oceanview from the Big Island of Hawaii within the U.S. (Photo credit score: Colleen Lanin)

Island Number Debate

There is a few debate about which nation has probably the most islands. Part of the trigger for confusion is that there isn’t any worldwide commonplace of dimension to differentiate an island from an islet. Typically, very small islands that cowl lower than one acre are thought-about islets, not notable islands.

Additionally, it’s tough to rely all islands for international locations with huge coastlines. Plus, sadly with local weather change and rising sea ranges, this checklist of nations with probably the most islands could change over time.

Most western state in USA
Most western state in USA

More Travel Trivia Questions

If you appreciated studying in regards to the nation with probably the most islands, then problem your self with these further journey trivia questions!

Learn which U.S. state is the farthest west. (The reply would possibly shock you!)

Discover the place apple pie was invented and take a chew of some scrumptious worldwide pie recipes.

Hawks Cay Resort in the Florida Keys
Hawks Cay Resort within the Florida Keys (Photo credit score: Hawks Cay)

Explore Island Vacation Ideas

Find out enjoyable issues to do at Hawks Cay Resort within the Florida Keys.

Get suggestions for visiting Disney’s personal island, Castaway Cay.

Read in regards to the greatest seashore resorts for households all world wide.

Which country has the most islands?

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Were you stunned to study that Sweden is the nation with probably the most islands? What was your guess? Let us know your ideas within the feedback beneath!

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