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Types of Islands You Should Know

Let's find out more about the types of islands found around the world.
Batul Nafisa Baxamusa
island

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Land surrounded by all sides by water is an island. All lands that are smaller in size than the Australian continent are considered islands.
Land surrounded by all sides by water is an island. All lands that are smaller in size than the Australian continent are considered islands.

types of island

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Our beautiful planet has 6 major types of islands. Each type of island is a beauty in itself. Let's take a quick look at the different types of islands found on Earth.
Our beautiful planet has 6 major types of islands. Each type of island is a beauty in itself. Let's take a quick look at the different types of islands found on Earth.

A small island

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6 Types of Islands
6 Types of Islands
Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Land in the middle of the ocean

Continental Islands

Continental Islands

continental island
continental island
Greenland island
Continental islands were a part of continents which got separated due to shift in the tectonic plates.
Continental islands were a part of continents which got separated due to shift in the tectonic plates.
tasmania island
For example, Greenland was part of North America's continental shelf, while Tasmania belonged to the Australian continent.
For example, Greenland was part of North America's continental shelf, while Tasmania belonged to the Australian continent.

Oceanic Islands

Oceanic Islands

oceanic island
oceanic island
maui island hawaii
Oceanic islands form when layers of lava spewed from underwater volcanoes build up and rise above the water's surface
Oceanic islands form when layers of lava spewed from underwater volcanoes build up and rise above the water's surface

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Japan, formed by volcanic eruptions, is one example of an oceanic island. Others include Mauritius, the Hawaiian Islands, Jan Mayen, and Iceland.
Japan, formed by volcanic eruptions, is one example of an oceanic island. Others include Mauritius, the Hawaiian Islands, Jan Mayen, and Iceland.

Desert island

Coral Islands

Coral Islands

coral island
maldives corals
coral island
Coral islands form from large masses of coral exoskeleton and associated matter, commonly found in tropical and sub-tropical areas with extensive coral reefs.
Coral islands form from large masses of coral exoskeleton and associated matter, commonly found in tropical and sub-tropical areas with extensive coral reefs.
Lakshadweep island
The Lakshadweep islands have 39 coral islands. Other examples include the Maldives and St. Martin's Island.
The Lakshadweep islands have 39 coral islands. Other examples include the Maldives and St. Martin's Island.

Barrier Islands

Barrier Islands

water next to the ocean
barrier islands
barrier island
Barrier islands run parallel to the coastline, separated from the mainland. They form from sand deposits carried by ocean currents.
Barrier islands run parallel to the coastline, separated from the mainland. They form from sand deposits carried by ocean currents.
barrier islands
Barrier islands exist on every continent except Antarctica. For instance, Moreton Bay in Australia boasts the third-largest sand island globally.
Barrier islands exist on every continent except Antarctica. For instance, Moreton Bay in Australia boasts the third-largest sand island globally.
tidal islands

Tidal Islands

Tidal Islands

a body of water with a mountain in the background
tidal islands
Tidal islands are attached to the mainland and appear only during low tides. During high tides, they are submerged into water as if they never existed.
Tidal islands are attached to the mainland and appear only during low tides. During high tides, they are submerged into water as if they never existed.
Mont-Saint-Michel island France
Mont-Saint-Michel in France is a prime example of a tidal island. Other instances include Jindo and Modo islands in South Korea.
Mont-Saint-Michel in France is a prime example of a tidal island. Other instances include Jindo and Modo islands in South Korea.
Islands of the Uros

Artificial Islands

Artificial Islands

artificial islands
artificial island
Artificial islands - as the name suggests are those that do not occur naturally, but are man-made. They are made for aesthetic reasons, tourism, etc.
Artificial islands - as the name suggests are those that do not occur naturally, but are man-made. They are made for aesthetic reasons, tourism, etc.

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Some of the well-known artificial islands include The Dubai Waterfront, Osaka Bay, Vasilyevsky Island, etc.
Some of the well-known artificial islands include The Dubai Waterfront, Osaka Bay, Vasilyevsky Island, etc.

Dubai

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Protect natural landmasses from pollution to preserve connected ecosystems and ensure thriving life.
Protect natural landmasses from pollution to preserve connected ecosystems and ensure thriving life.

Tropical beach

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Each of these 6 types of islands are beautiful in their own right. They are perfect destinations to spend an exotic holiday.
Each of these 6 types of islands are beautiful in their own right. They are perfect destinations to spend an exotic holiday.

types of islands