country whose territory is entirely within the archipelago and has no connection to the mainland is called the "island nation".Of 194 officially recognized by 47 countries in the world considered as such.They should be distinguished from the coastal areas and political entities do not landlocked.Most often, the island nations of the world are located near the continental margin, but some, such as the archipelagos of the Pacific, may be at a sufficient distance from the shoreline.For convenience of classification countries are divided into groups.The main criterion is a division belonging to one or another part of the world or a continent.Let's dwell on each of them.
Europe
Island nations of Europe are located in the Atlantic Ocean.Their shores are washed by the coastal and inland seas in the region (North, Irish, Mediterranean, and so on. D.).Countries are on the islands such as Great Britain, Ireland, and Iceland, Malta and Cyprus.
1. England
island nation, located in northwest Europe in the North Sea.The country's territory includes the northern part of the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as the large number of small archipelagos surrounding the Atlantic Ocean, such as Faroese, Orkney, Shetland, the Hebrides, and others.The two largest islands are separated by a Mezhuyev Irish Sea, through which passes a large number of transit routes.The capital is the city of London for the legendary river Thames.
2. Ireland
State, which is in the northwestern part of Europe.Located in the southern and central parts of the island of the same name.It has the only land border with England.Capital - the city of Dublin.It is believed that all the red and green-eyed people are from that country.
3.
Iceland is a small country in the Atlantic Ocean belongs to Northern Europe.Although the etymology of the name - "ice country" Iceland does not differ Arctic climate.On the island affects the warm North Atlantic Current, so the temperature in the capital of Reykjavik in the summer can reach 20 degrees.
4. Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
These island states in the Mediterranean, divided between the small territory of Cyprus and several nearby archipelago.The main sector of the economy of these countries is tourism.The picturesque Mediterranean island has always attracted lovers of antiquity and white beaches.An interesting feature is that the capital of both countries is the same city, located in the center of the island.In Cyprus, Nicosia call it, and in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus he called Lefkosa.
5. Malta
In Europe, the smallest area is the island nation of Malta.It is conveniently located in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily in the archipelago of the same name.The largest islands are Malta, Gozo and Comino uninhabited.It is the only state in Europe, the territory which is not any rivers and lakes with fresh water.
Asia
Island states differ in their Asia monsoon climate and beautiful nature of the tropics.Most of them are located in the Pacific Ocean.The country is located in the Greater and Lesser Sunda Islands, the Philippines, the Moluccas, Maldives and the Japanese archipelago.They are strong enough removed from the mainland.A state on the island of Taiwan, Sri Lanka and Bahrain are situated near the coastline.
1. Indonesia
biggest footprint on the island nation in the world.It occupies several separate geographical sites.Much of its territory lies in the Malay archipelago, namely, the Greater and Lesser Sunda Islands and the Moluccas.It is bordered by a variety of similar cluster of inland seas.Part of the country lies in the west of New Guinea.The capital of Jakarta is located on the island of Java.
2. Japan
Old East Asian countries.Located in the Japanese islands (the largest of them - Honshu, after going Hokkaido, Shikoku and Kyushu) and Ryukyu Archipelago (the largest object - Okinawa) and Nampo.As the country passes a dangerous zone of seismicity.The capital Tokyo is at the center of the island of Honshu.
3. Philippines
often island states are located on the archipelago.Republic of the Philippines - a clear confirmation.The capital of this country in Southeast Asia, is the city of Manila on the island of Luzon.This state is one of the poorest in Asia.
4. Sri Lanka
small South Asian countries.The area is located directly on the eponymous island, to the south of the Indian subcontinent.The capital city is Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.She is best known for its historical name - Ceylon, and from ancient times is famous for its unique flavors of mountain teas.
5. The Republic of China
partially recognized state in Southeast Asia.Located on the island of Taiwan and several adjacent archipelagoes, the capital - the city of Taipei.Large commercial and economic district of the Asian coast.
6. East Timor
state in the southern part of the Malay Archipelago occupies the eastern part of Timor, Atauro and small islands, and Jacques.The capital and largest city - Dili.
7. Brunei
State refers to South-East Asia.Located on the island of Borneo, which is part of the Greater Sunda Islands.One of the smallest countries in the Asian region and the world.The capital of a large and picturesque town with an exotic name Bandar Seri Begawan, the impurity that is translated as "City of His Excellency."
8. Bahrain
small island states, geographically located in the South-West Asia, on the same island in the Persian Gulf.It is rich in oil, is an active member of OPEC.The capital and main economic center of the country is the city of Manama.
9. Singapore
This country belongs to the region of Southeast Asia.It lies on the territory of the 63 islands, the largest of which - Singapore Ubin, Sentosa.This free trade and economic zone of Asia.The capital is the city of the same name on the main island with the same name.
10. Maldives
State, situated on the homonymous group of atolls in the South Asia.For many it is no secret that this is the most picturesque and attractive tourism country in the world.The only city of Male is the capital and a major tourist cent.Approximately 97% of the territory is water surface.
America
Almost all the island states of America are located in the Atlantic Ocean and washed by the warm Gulf of Mexico and the troubled Caribbean.Sometimes this part of the world known as the West Indies.In the past these areas were ruled by the major European colonizers, but now they have the status of independent countries.
Island states in the region are located in the large (the largest - Cuba, followed by Haiti and Puerto Rico) and small (Leeward and Windward) Antilles, the Bahamas and other small archipelagos.Countries differ special warm Caribbean climate and beautiful nature with a violent reeds.
island States of America: Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, the Bahamas and Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica, St. Lucia, with them Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and countries such as Grenada, St.Kitts and Nevis.
Other island nations
In addition to these countries, a separate group is to provide island countries of Africa and Oceania.For independent African territories in the east are Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius and Seychelles, and in the west - Sao Tome and Principe, Cape Verde.Basically, in these countries are on the archipelago.
island nations of Oceania are divided into Melanesia, Polynesia and Micronesia.But many of them are uninhabited or dependent territories.Independent Pacific island countries: Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, Nauru and New Zealand, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau and, of course, the Marshall Islands.
