The title of the world's oldest island generally goes to Madagascar, which separated from Africa and India millions of years ago (around 80-100 million years ago), evolving unique biodiversity due to its long isolation. Other contenders for age, depending on the definition (volcanic core vs. uplifted landmass), include ancient volcanic islands like Mangaia in the Cook Islands and the granitic Seychelles islands, but Madagascar is most widely recognized as the oldest continental island that has been isolated for so long.
Madagascar, in the Indian Ocean, became an island around 80-100 million years ago, when it split off from the Indian subcontinent.
"Oh, land of our beloved ancestors!" Following the prehistoric breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana, Madagascar split from Africa during the Early Jurassic period, around 180 million years ago, and separated from the Indian subcontinent approximately 90 million years ago.
Devon Island in Canada's far north is the largest uninhabited island in the world. Small coral atolls or islands usually have no source of fresh water, but occasionally a freshwater lens can be reached with a well.
According to Seasia Stats, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world is Jericho, Palestine, which dates back to around 9000 BCE. Often called the “City of Palm Trees,” Jericho holds deep historical and archaeological significance, with ancient ruins that tell stories from the dawn of human settlement.
Dating back to around 3200 BC, the world's first city was Uruk, located in southern Mesopotamia (modern Iraq). Home to some 50,000 inhabitants, it was the largest settlement of its time, covering 450 hectares (1,112 acres) and encircled by a 9.5-km (5.9-mile) city wall.
San Marino
This tiny nation on the Italian peninsula holds the Guinness World Record for the oldest existing republic in the world. With a total area of just 24 square miles (62.2 square kilometers), San Marino is one of the smallest countries in the world but has managed to hang onto its independence for centuries.
Java is the most populous major island in the world and is home to 55% of Indonesia's population, with a combined population of 156.9 million according to the official estimates as at mid 2024 (including Madura's 4.16 million).
Vatican City (800)
The spiritual and administrative centre of the Catholic Church, Vatican City is the least populated country in the world. Nestled within Rome, it has an estimated population of around 800 residents. Despite its tiny land area, it plays an outsized role in global religious and diplomatic affairs.
Check out Just Enough Room Island, the smallest inhabited island in the world! 🏝️ It's so tiny that it only has space for a country house, a tree, and a couple of chairs. The Sizeland family bought it in the 1950s, looking for a peaceful retreat.
Lemurs make up more than half of the fossa's diet, making it the only predator capable of hunting all lemur species, even the largest ones. It also preys on rodents, reptiles, birds, and insects. The fossa's ability to hunt both on the ground and in the trees sets it apart from other carnivores.
By merely walking off the shore of Mozambique and swimming towards the island of Madagascar, they did. The attempt to cross the Mozambique Channel was historic. Their successful crossing was epic in every sense. They ended up swimming 458.7 km after 155 hours total in the water.
The largest island in the world is Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, with an area of over 2 million square kilometers, significantly larger than the next biggest, New Guinea, and almost three times the size of the second-largest, Borneo. While Australia is much larger, it's generally classified as a continental landmass, not an island, which is why Greenland holds the title.
Isolation and uncontacted status
In 1957, the Indian government declared North Sentinel Island a tribal reserve and prohibited travel within 3 nautical miles (5.6 kilometres). Photography was prohibited. A constant armed patrol prevents intrusions by outsiders.
Mainland Australia is more than three times the size of Greenland, the largest island. Australia is sometimes dubbed "The Island Continent" or "Earth's largest island, but its smallest continent".
Surtsey is known as the Earth's youngest island. In fact, Surtsey is a volcanic island that was formed following an undersea eruption 130 meters (426 feet) deep.
The Republic of Molosssia , which has a total land area of 6. 3 acres and is the world's smallest republic , it has a population of only 33 people and is the world smallest republic.
South Sudan ranks as the poorest country globally, grappling with prolonged civil war, oil dependency, and severe food insecurity. The ongoing conflict disrupts agricultural production, leaving over 60% of its population in need of humanitarian assistance.
I Went to The Most Crowded Island on Earth (without Police) - Santa Cruz del Islote in northern Colombia is the most crowded island on Earth, with density of population a staggering 68,000 people per square kilometer. I went there and tried everything that the most densely populated island in the world offers.
About 90% of the world's human population lives in the Northern Hemisphere, a concentration driven by the larger landmass, more temperate climates, and historical development of major civilizations in Asia, Europe, and North America, leaving the Southern Hemisphere, with its vast oceans and less extensive temperate land, sparsely populated.
Australia isn't the world's largest island because it's classified as a continent, a landmass defined by its vast size, unique tectonic plate (the Indo-Australian Plate), distinct flora/fauna, and cultural identity, rather than just being a piece of land surrounded by water like Greenland, which is technically the largest island. While Australia fits the basic island definition (land surrounded by water), its continental status takes precedence, making Greenland the largest "non-continental" island.
Top 13 Oldest Countries In The World
Denmark's national flag is the world's oldest and longest-running flag. In 1625, the current design of a white Scandinavian cross on a red background was established, and the square shape was adopted in 1748. The 'Dannebrog' or 'Danish cloth' is how it's known in Denmark.