What is the name of the largest island in the world?
VerifiedAnswer: Greenland
Explanation:
Greenland is indeed the world's largest island, covering an impressive area of approximately 2.17 million square kilometers (836,330 square miles). This massive landmass is located between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, situated northeast of Canada and northwest of Iceland.
To put Greenland's size into perspective, it's about three times larger than Texas and roughly one-fourth the size of the United States. Despite its enormous size, Greenland has a surprisingly small population of only around 56,000 people, making it one of the least densely populated places on Earth. Most of the population lives along the ice-free coastal areas, particularly on the southwest coast.
One fascinating aspect of Greenland is that approximately 80% of its surface is covered by ice. The Greenland Ice Sheet is the second-largest ice body in the world, after Antarctica's ice sheet. This massive ice coverage explains why such a large landmass can support relatively few permanent residents.
Politically, Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, though it has significant self-governing powers. The capital and largest city is Nuuk, located on the southwest coast. The official languages are Greenlandic and Danish, reflecting its cultural and political connections.
It's worth noting that while Australia is sometimes considered in discussions about large landmasses, it's classified as a continent rather than an island, which is why Greenland holds the title of the world's largest island. The distinction between islands and continents is based on size, geological structure, and conventional geographical classifications.
