Major Islands of Asia

The continent of Asia is home to a wide variety of large islands, each of which has distinct qualities and historical significance. These islands display the beauty and diversity of the area, from the vast and biodiverse landscapes of Borneo and Sumatra to the cultural jewels of Java and Sri Lanka. The major islands of Asia provide an enthralling fusion of natural beauties and cultural legacy thanks to their gorgeous rainforests, vibrant cultures, and diverse ecosystems.

Features of Major Islands of Asia

Here are the descriptions of major Islands of Asia −

New Guinea

With an area of 785,753 km², New Guinea is the second-largest island in the world. Despite sharing a continental shelf with Australia, the island of Melanesia in the southwest Pacific Ocean is isolated from that country by the 150-kilometer-wide Torres Strait. There are many smaller islands to the west and east. The majority of Papua New Guinea's territory is located on the eastern part of the island. The provinces of Papua, Central Papua, Highland Papua, South Papua, Southwest Papua, and West Papua make up Western New Guinea, which is organized as a part of Indonesia.

Borneo

Borneo, which has a surface area of 748,168 km², is the third-largest island in the world. It is one of the Greater Sunda Islands, situated north of Java, west of Sulawesi, and east of Sumatra, at the geographic heart of Maritime Southeast Asia. Three nations share political control of the island: Indonesia to the south, Malaysia and Brunei to the north. It is well-known for its beaches and historic, biodiverse jungle, which is home to orangutans and clouded leopards among other animals.

Sumatra

One of the western Indonesian Sunda Islands is Sumatra. With 475,807.63 km², it is the sixth-biggest island in the world and the largest island that is entirely inside the borders of Indonesia. This includes neighbouring islands like Simeulue, Nias, Mentawai, Enggano, Riau Islands, Bangka Belitung, and the Krakatoa archipelago. Although Sumatra has a large variety of plant and animal species, its tropical rainforest has decreased by about 50% during the past 35 years. Sumatra's northwest, west, and southwest shores are all bordered by the Indian Ocean, while the western coast is home to the Simeulue, Nias, Mentawai, and Enggano island group.

Sulawesi

Sulawesi, often called Celebes, is an Indonesian island. Sulawesi, which has a surface size of 180,680.7 km², is the eleventh-largest island in the world. The eleventh-largest island in the world and one of the Greater Sunda Islands is located south of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago, east of Borneo, and west of the Maluku Islands. Only Java and Sumatra have larger populations within Indonesia, while only Sumatra, Borneo, and Papua are geographically larger. The northern Minahasa Peninsula, the East Peninsula, the South Peninsula, and the Southeast Peninsula are the four peninsulas that make up Sulawesi's mainland.

Java (Jawa)

One of the Greater Sunda Islands in Indonesia is called Jawa, or Java in Indonesian. Between Bali to the east and Sumatra to the west is Java. To the north is Borneo, and to the south is Christmas Island. The island is the 13th largest in the globe. Java is bordered to the north by the Java Sea, to the west by the Sunda Strait, to the south by the Indian Ocean, and to the east by the Bali Strait and the Madura Strait. The Java Sea and Indian Ocean both border it on opposite sides. Java is the most populous island in the world, home to over 56% of Indonesia's total population, with a population of 151.6 million. On Java's northwest coast is Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, formally the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and historically known as Ceylon, is an island nation in South Asia. It is located in the Indian Ocean to the southwest of the Bay of Bengal, and the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait divide it from the Indian peninsula. In the south-west and north-west, respectively, Sri Lanka shares a maritime boundary with India and the Maldives. Sri Lanka's geographic position and deep harbour have made it of tremendous strategic importance, from the earliest days of the historic Silk Road trade route to today's so-called maritime Silk Road. It is also known as the Teardrop of India or the Granary of the East

Honshu

Japan's main island, Honshu, also known as Akitsushima in the past, is its biggest and most populous. The English word "main province" is a straight translation of the island's name, Honsh. The island has a total size of 227,960 km² and is approximately 1,300 km long and 50 to 230 km broad. It is situated northeast of Kysh across the Kanmon Straits, south of Hokkaid over the Tsugaru Strait, and north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea. The island divides the north and west-facing Sea of Japan from the south and east-facing North Pacific Ocean. The second most populous island after Java in Indonesia, it is the seventh largest island in the world.

Hokkaido

Hokkaido, the largest and most northern prefecture on Japan's second-largest island, constitutes its own geographical area. Previously, Hokkaid was referred to as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso. Hokkaido and Honshu are separated by the Tsugaru Strait, although the Seikan Tunnel undersea railway connects the two islands. Sapporo, Hokkaid's capital and the only city with an ordinance designation, is also the island's biggest city. The Kuril Islands, which are governed by Russia, are to the east and northeast of Sakhalin, and the four most southerly are claimed by Japan. Sakhalin is located roughly 43 km to the north of Hokkaido.

Taiwan

Taiwan is a nation in East Asia that is formally known as the Republic of China (ROC). The largest island in Taiwan, also called Formosa, is 35,808 square kilometres in size. It is situated at the confluence of the East and South China Seas in the northwest Pacific Ocean, with Japan to the northeast, the Philippines to the south, and the People's Republic of China (PRC) to the northwest. The 168 islands in the ROC-controlled regions total 36,193 square kilometres in size. In addition to the main island, the ROC government is in charge of 64 islands to the west in the P'eng-hu (Pescadores) archipelago and 22 islands in the Taiwan group.

Luzon

The Philippines' largest and most populated island is called Luzon. The Tagalog term lusong, which describes a specific sort of huge wooden mortar used to dehusk rice, is supposed to be the source of the name Luzon. One of the three major island groups in the nation is referred to as Luzon. The Philippines archipelago's northern region is home to Quezon metropolis, the country's most populated metropolis, as well as Manila, the country's capital city. This region serves as the country's economic and political centre. With 64 million people as of 2021, it is the fourth most populous island in the globe and comprises 52.5% of the nation's total population. By land area, it is the fifteenth-largest island in the world.

List Of Major Islands of Asia

Here's a table of the major islands in Asia, along with their extent and location −

Island	Extent	Location
New Guinea	785,753 km²	Indonesia, Papua New Guinea
Borneo	743,330 km²	Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei
Sumatra	473,481 km²	Indonesia
Sulawesi	174,600 km²	Indonesia
Java (Jawa)	138,794 km²	Indonesia
Sri Lanka	65,610 km²	Sri Lanka
Honshu	227,960 km²	Japan
Hokkaido	77,981 km²	Japan
Taiwan	36,193 km²	Taiwan
Luzon	109,965 km²	Philippines

Conclusion

There are numerous large islands in Asia, each with distinctive characteristics and historical significance. These islands provide a multitude of natural wonders and cultural experiences, from the vast and ecologically rich New Guinea to the biodiversity hotspot of Borneo and the cultural and historical treasures of Java and Sri Lanka. The major islands of Asia are breathtakingly beautiful and diverse, ranging from the sumptuous rainforests of Sumatra and Sulawesi to the breathtaking vistas of Honshu and Hokkaido in Japan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the largest island in Asia?

The largest island in Asia is Borneo, shared by Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Which island is known for its rich biodiversity and orangutans?

Borneo is renowned for its rich biodiversity and is home to orangutans and clouded leopards among other animals.

Where is the Sundarbans mangrove forest located?

The Sundarbans mangrove forest is located in Bangladesh and India.

Which island is famous for its ancient rainforests and Taman Negara National Park?

Taman Negara, one of the world's oldest rainforests, is located in Peninsular Malaysia on the island of Malaysia.

What is the largest island in Japan?

Honshu is the largest island in Japan.

Where is the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove located?

The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is located in Kyoto, Japan.

Which island is known for its tea plantations and cultural heritage?

Sri Lanka, also known as Ceylon, is renowned for its tea plantations and rich cultural heritage.

What is the extent of the island of Taiwan?

The island of Taiwan has an extent of approximately 36,193 square kilometers.

Where is Luzon, the largest and most populous island in the Philippines, located?

Luzon is located in the northern region of the Philippines.