2007-08-07 08:53:40 · 5 answers · asked by Jaime T 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
The maximum size of an island by area has not been defined, but in general we agree that Greenland is the world's largest island.
Greenland has an area of 2,131,000 square kilometers, so anything bigger than that would not be an island but a continent.
The smallest land mass that is larger than Greenland is Australia and therefore it is a continent using Greenland as a reference. New Guinea is the second largest island at 786,000 square kilometers.
2007-08-07 11:22:39 · answer #1 · answered by minefinder 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe that an island is defined as a land mass surrounded by water not by its' size.
2007-08-07 16:01:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A size of 7.8 million km^2 is a continent, while 2.2 million km^2 is an island. So about half-way between would be 5 million km^2.
2007-08-07 16:13:45 · answer #3 · answered by morningfoxnorth 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Australia is sometimes argued that it is an island because it boarders no other country, yet it is listed as a continent
2007-08-07 16:04:01 · answer #4 · answered by NInnyhammer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is no specific demention which classifies an island just that fact that it is completely surrounded by water
2007-08-07 17:49:36 · answer #5 · answered by Dr Knight M.D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋