Approximately each of us knows what an island is and what are its features. But in order for you to be able to substantiate this natural phenomenon from a scientific and somewhat philosophical point of view, we decided to talk in more detail about this part of the land. After all, most of the modern islands are a real bait for tourists and travel enthusiasts. Well, let's go on our geographical cruise around the world map and highlight the definition of the island, its features and varieties.
Short meaning of the term
So, an island is a small piece of land that is surrounded on all sides by water. It largely rises above all the surrounding waters, even at high tide. A distinctive feature of all the islands is their area - they are small compared to the mainland. Greenland is considered the largest island on the planet - it is three times smaller in area than the smallest continent - Australia. All other islands are either single sites or archipelagos that occupy a small part of one of the oceans or seas.
Features of classification by origin
Now let's try to define what an island is from a geological point of view. Firstly, such land areas can be found in the oceans, seas, and also fresh water bodies. Those that are located near the continents are called continental. At a more distant distance are the islands of the transition zone, and in very remote waters - oceanic (for example, Hawaii). The geological composition of the islands is determined by their origin. Therefore, in the world there are coral archipelagos formed by bedrock, washed up by waves or underwater currents, as well as those that were formed during volcanic processes. Erosion and alluvial islands predominate in the rivers.
Politics and natural wonders
Next, we have to find out what an island is from a political point of view and how it stands out on the world map of the same name. We note right away that, like any part of the mainland, a separately located small part of the land may be sovereign, or may belong to any continental state. For example, Madagascar, one of the largest islands in the world, is an independent country with its own history and religion. The Canary Islands, which are so loved by tourists from all over the world, belong to Spain, and Hawaii, which is located far from any continent, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, is one of the states of America.
Island climate
It is clear that the island states andprovinces of continental countries can be located both in warm waters and in cold ones, from which their weather conditions will largely differ. However, one main factor will unite all these lands, regardless of the currents that surround them - this is increased humidity. Since each island is surrounded by water, the air here will be constantly filled with moisture and a lot of s alt. Many believe that such conditions, even in combination with low temperatures, are extremely beneficial to he alth. That is why so many resorts and sanatoriums are open on most islands.
What are the islands according to their parameters
Each island is characterized by its individual size. Among them are the largest, occupying a significant part of the water area. These are Greenland, Madagascar, Sumatra (Indonesia), Great Britain, Java, Cuba Sakhalin and many others. Small islands that are located far from the mainland form archipelagos. The most famous among those are the southern resorts - the Maldives, Seychelles, Hawaii, or strategically important objects - the Kuril Islands, the Aleutian Islands and many others. But still, in order to thoroughly know what the island is, how it breathes and feels, you need to go there and enjoy the unforgettable nature in full.
