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{{Short description|State whose primary territory consists of one or more islands or a part of an island}}
{{mergeto|list of island countries}}
{{Redirect|Island nation|the Taiwanese TV series|Island Nation{{!}}''Island Nation''}}
]
{{For|a more comprehensive list|List of island countries}}
An '''island country''' is a ] that is wholly confined to an ], several islands, an ] or several island groups, and has no territory on the ] of a ]. Forty-seven of the ] are island countries (2008), including most of the smallest ones.
{{Distinguish|Iceland}}


]s and a de facto state (]) fully on islands: those with land borders shaded green, and those without shaded dark blue.<br /><br />Countries/territories not shown on the map: ] (aq) (]al ]), ] (au) (]al country), the ] (ck) (] with ]), ] (gl) (] of the ]), ] (nu) (] with ]), and ] (pr) (]).]]
Island countries can be divided in two approximate groups. A group of large, relatively populous nations which are usually close to a ] including ], ], the ], ], the ], ], and ]. These countries typically share cultural and political similarities with their continental neighbours. Island locations have frequently been advantageous, providing isolation from invasion and the maritime abilities of the population gave advantage in regional and international trade.
An '''island country''', '''island state''', or '''island nation''' is a ] whose primary territory consists of one or more ]s or parts of islands. Approximately 25% of all independent countries are island countries.<ref name="Small is Democratic">{{cite book | last = Ott| first = Dan | title = Small is Democratic| publisher = Routledge | date = 1996| page = 128| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=JOqZ9eOeRXoC&pg=PA128| isbn = 0-8153-3910-0| access-date = March 23, 2019}}</ref> Island countries are historically more stable<ref name="Small is Democratic"/> than many continental states but are vulnerable to conquest by ]. ] is the largest and most populated island country in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/which-are-the-island-countries-of-the-world.html |title=Which Are The Island Countries Of The World? |publisher=WorldAtlas.com |date=April 25, 2017 |first1=Joyce |last1=Chepkemoi |access-date=2019-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207094959/http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/which-are-the-island-countries-of-the-world.html | archive-date=2017-12-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?end=2019&name_desc=false&start=2015&view=chart |title=Population, total 2015-2019 |publisher=World Bank Open Data |access-date=21 April 2021 }}</ref>


There are great variations between island country economies: they may rely mainly on extractive industries, such as mining, fishing and agriculture, and/or on services such as transit hubs, ], and financial services. Many islands have low-lying geographies and their economies and population centers develop along coast plains and ]s; such states may be ], especially ].
The other group comprises smaller island countries such as ], the ], the ], ], and the ]. These countries tend to be very different from continental countries. Their small size usually means there is little agricultural land and rarely many ]s. However, in modern times, smaller island countries around the world have become centres for ], which in many is the dominant industry.


Remote or significant islands and ]s that are not themselves sovereign are often known as ] or ].
Some island countries are centered on one or two major islands, such as the ] or ]. Others are spread out over hundreds or thousands of smaller islands, such as the ], ] or the ]. Some island countries share their islands with other countries; these include the United Kingdom and the ], ] and ], and ] and ].

==History==
{{Expand section|date=March 2024}}

==Politics==
Historically, island countries have tended to be less prone to political instability than their continental counterparts. The percentage of island countries that are ] is higher than that of ] countries.<ref name="Small is Democratic" />

===Island territories===
While island countries by definition are ]s, there are also several islands and ]s around the world that operate ] from their official sovereign states. These are often known as dependencies or overseas territories and can be similar in nature to proper island countries.

==War==
Island countries have often been the basis of maritime conquest and historical rivalry between other countries.<ref name="The quest for identity">{{cite news
| last = Chasle
| first = Raymond
| title = The quest for identity. (island countries)
| publisher = UNESCO Courier
| date = 1 Oct 1986
| url = http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-9197350_ITM
|url-access=subscription
| access-date = 2009-02-01
| archive-date = 22 May 2015
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20150522073653/https://www.questia.com/magazine/1G1-4589195/the-quest-for-identity
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>
Island countries are more susceptible to attack by large, continental countries due to their size and dependence on ] and ].<ref name="Measures of Effectiveness">{{cite book
| last = Perry
| first = Walt L.
| author2 = Robert W. Button
| author3 = Jerome Bracken
| author4 = Thomas Sullivan
| author5 = Rand Corporation
| author6 = United States Navy
| author7 = Jonathan Mitchell
| title = Measures of Effectiveness for the Information-age Navy
| publisher = Rand Corporation
| year = 2002
| pages = 7
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=VwI0WLby3WoC&q=%22island+country%22&pg=PA7
| isbn = 0-8330-3139-2
| access-date = 2020-11-01
| archive-date = 2023-03-30
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230330142730/https://books.google.com/books?id=VwI0WLby3WoC&q=%22island+country%22&pg=PA7
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
Many island countries are also vulnerable to predation by mercenaries and other foreign invaders,<ref name="Mercenary Holding Island Nation">{{cite news
| last = WREN
| first = CHRISTOPHER S.
| title = Mercenary Holding Island Nation Seeks Deal
| work = ]
| date = December 9, 1989
| url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE3DB173CF93AA35751C1A96F948260
| access-date = 2009-02-01
| archive-date = 2020-01-22
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200122144302/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/12/09/world/mercenary-holding-island-nation-seeks-deal.html
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
although their isolation also makes them a difficult target.

==Natural resources==
Many developing small island countries rely heavily on ] for their main supply of food.<ref>{{cite web |title=Many of the world's poorest people depend on fish |publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |date=2005-06-07 |url=http://www.fao.org/Newsroom/en/news/2005/102911/index.html |access-date=2017-09-30 |archive-date=2019-08-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826005044/http://www.fao.org/NEWSROOM/en/news/2005/102911/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Some are turning to ]&mdash;such as ], ], ] and ] from ]&mdash;to defend against potential rises in ].<ref name="renewable energy">{{cite web
|last = Xingwei
|first = Huang
|title = Pacific Islands countries switch to renewable energy source due to increasing fuel prices
|date = 2008-10-17
|url = http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-10/17/content_10210370.htm
|access-date = 2009-02-01
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150402144005/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-10/17/content_10210370.htm
|archive-date = 2015-04-02
}}</ref>

==Geography==
Some island countries are more affected than other countries by ], which produces problems such as reduced ], ], and sometimes even resettlement issues. Some low-lying island countries are slowly being submerged by the rising water levels of the ].<ref name="Leader of disappearing island nation">{{cite web
| title = Leader of disappearing island nation says climate change an issue of survival, not economics
| date = June 5, 2008
| url = http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/06/05/asia/AS-GEN-New-Zealand-World-Environment-Day.php
| access-date = 2009-02-01
| archive-date = 2008-06-05
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080605183737/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/06/05/asia/AS-GEN-New-Zealand-World-Environment-Day.php
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
Climate change also impacts island countries by causing natural disasters such as ]s, hurricanes, ]s and ]s.<ref name="Climate change threatens food security">{{cite web
| title = FAO: Climate change threatens food security of Pacific island countries
| date = December 2, 2008
| url = http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90856/6544815.html
| access-date = 2009-02-01
| archive-date = 2008-12-07
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081207054509/http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90856/6544815.html
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

===Climate change===
{{Excerpt|Effects of climate change on island nations}}

==Economics==
] is an archipelago in ] that constitutes one of the richest and most populated nations on ].]]
], an affluent and highly developed sovereign island country by which its territories consists of a ]]]
Many island countries rely heavily on ] and are greatly affected by changes in the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2014/03/27/hardship-and-vulnerability-in-the-pacific-island-countries |title=Hardship and Vulnerability in the Pacific Island Countries |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=27 March 2014 |website= |publisher= The World Bank Group|access-date= 15 November 2023|quote=}}</ref> Due to the nature of island countries their economies are often characterised by being smaller, relatively isolated from world trade and economy, more vulnerable to shipping costs, and more likely to suffer environmental damage to infrastructure; exceptions include Japan, Taiwan{{citation needed|date=March 2024}} and the United Kingdom.<ref name="Trade Policy Course">{{cite web
| title = WTO/FORSEC Trade Policy Course for Pacific island countries
| date = 9 March 2001
| url = http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news01_e/fiji_e.htm
| access-date = 2009-02-01
| archive-date = 2013-10-02
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131002022946/http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news01_e/fiji_e.htm
| url-status = live
}}</ref><ref name="NZ calls for global solutions">{{cite web
|title = NZ calls for global solutions to problems faced by small island nations
|date = 2005-01-18
|url = http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/18/content_2475179.htm
|access-date = 2009-02-01
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121024065854/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/18/content_2475179.htm
|archive-date = 2012-10-24
}}</ref><ref name="U.N. ambassador gives keynote">{{cite web
| last = Garg
| first = Sarika
| title = U.N. ambassador gives keynote
| url = http://www.thedp.com/article/1994/04/u.n._ambassador_gives_keynote
| access-date = 2017-09-05
| archive-date = 2019-10-29
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191029012326/https://www.thedp.com/article/1994/04/u.n._ambassador_gives_keynote
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
The dominant industry for many island countries is ].<ref name="tourist destinations">{{cite news
| title = China enlists Pacific island countries as tourist destinations, XINHUA.
| date = 10 August 2004
| url = http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-12915601_ITM
| access-date = 1 February 2009
| work = The America's Intelligence Wire
| archive-date = 2 January 2013
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130102012504/www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-12915601_ITM
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

==Composition==
Island countries are typically small with low populations, although some, like ], ], and the ] are notable exceptions.<ref name="Wen pledges new aid to Pacific countries">{{cite web
| title = Wen pledges new aid to Pacific countries
| publisher = International Herald Tribune
| date = April 5, 2006
| url = http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/04/05/news/pacific.php
| access-date = 2013-08-21
| archive-date = 2007-02-17
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070217163901/http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/04/05/news/pacific.php
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

Some island countries are centred on one or two major islands, such as the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. Others are spread out over hundreds or thousands of smaller islands, such as ], ], the ], ], ], and the ]. Some island countries share one or more of their islands with other countries, such as the United Kingdom and ]; ] and the ]; and ], which shares islands with ], ], ], and Malaysia. Bahrain, Singapore, and the United Kingdom have ] such as bridges and tunnels to the continental landmass: Bahrain is linked to Saudi Arabia by the ], Singapore to Malaysia by the ] and ], and the United Kingdom has a railway connection to France through the ].

Geographically, the country of ] is considered a ]al landmass rather than an island, covering the largest landmass of the ]. In the past, however, it was considered an island country for tourism purposes<ref name="nla.gov.au">{{cite web
| title = Australian Naval Defence
| publisher = The Brisbane Courier
| date = 24 July 1897
| url = http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3655029
| access-date = 2009-01-31
| archive-date = 2017-12-06
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171206195502/http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3655029
| url-status = live
}}</ref> (among others) and is sometimes referred to as such.<ref name="China, Pacific island countries">{{cite web
| title = China, Pacific island countries discuss cooperation at forum meeting
| url = http://english.people.com.cn/200604/05/eng20060405_256086.html
| access-date = 2009-02-01
| archive-date = 2012-10-13
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121013002802/http://english.people.com.cn/200604/05/eng20060405_256086.html
| url-status = live
}}</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
{{Portal|Countries|Islands}}
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* ] (by country)
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{{div col end}}

==References==
{{reflist|39em}}

==External links==
* – NationsOnline.org

{{Authority control}}

{{Lists of countries and territories by continent}}


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Latest revision as of 10:39, 25 December 2024

State whose primary territory consists of one or more islands or a part of an island "Island nation" redirects here. For the Taiwanese TV series, see Island Nation. For a more comprehensive list, see List of island countries. Not to be confused with Iceland.
Sovereign states and a de facto state (Taiwan) fully on islands: those with land borders shaded green, and those without shaded dark blue.

Countries/territories not shown on the map: Antarctica (aq) (continental disputed territory), Australia (au) (continental country), the Cook Islands (ck) (free association with New Zealand), Greenland (gl) (constituent country of the Kingdom of Denmark), Niue (nu) (free association with New Zealand), and Puerto Rico (pr) (unincorporated U.S. territory).

An island country, island state, or island nation is a country whose primary territory consists of one or more islands or parts of islands. Approximately 25% of all independent countries are island countries. Island countries are historically more stable than many continental states but are vulnerable to conquest by naval superpowers. Indonesia is the largest and most populated island country in the world.

There are great variations between island country economies: they may rely mainly on extractive industries, such as mining, fishing and agriculture, and/or on services such as transit hubs, tourism, and financial services. Many islands have low-lying geographies and their economies and population centers develop along coast plains and ports; such states may be vulnerable to the effects of climate change, especially sea level rise.

Remote or significant islands and archipelagos that are not themselves sovereign are often known as dependencies or overseas territories.

History

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (March 2024)

Politics

Historically, island countries have tended to be less prone to political instability than their continental counterparts. The percentage of island countries that are democratic is higher than that of continental countries.

Island territories

While island countries by definition are sovereign states, there are also several islands and archipelagos around the world that operate semi-autonomously from their official sovereign states. These are often known as dependencies or overseas territories and can be similar in nature to proper island countries.

War

Island countries have often been the basis of maritime conquest and historical rivalry between other countries. Island countries are more susceptible to attack by large, continental countries due to their size and dependence on sea and air lines of communication. Many island countries are also vulnerable to predation by mercenaries and other foreign invaders, although their isolation also makes them a difficult target.

Natural resources

Many developing small island countries rely heavily on fish for their main supply of food. Some are turning to renewable energy—such as wind power, hydropower, geothermal power and biodiesel from copra oil—to defend against potential rises in oil prices.

Geography

Some island countries are more affected than other countries by climate change, which produces problems such as reduced land use, water scarcity, and sometimes even resettlement issues. Some low-lying island countries are slowly being submerged by the rising water levels of the Pacific Ocean. Climate change also impacts island countries by causing natural disasters such as tropical cyclones, hurricanes, flash floods and droughts.

Climate change

This section is an excerpt from Effects of climate change on small island countries.
A sign on South Tarawa, Kiribati pointing out the threat of sea level rise to the island, with its highest point being only three metres above sea level.
The effects of climate change on small island countries are affecting people in coastal areas through sea level rise, increasing heavy rain events, tropical cyclones and storm surges. These effects of climate change threaten the existence of many island countries, their peoples and cultures. They also alter ecosystems and natural environments in those countries. Small island developing states (SIDS) are a heterogenous group of countries but many of them are particularly at risk to climate change. Those countries have been quite vocal in calling attention to the challenges they face from climate change. For example, the Maldives and nations of the Caribbean and Pacific Islands are already experiencing considerable impacts of climate change. It is critical for them to implement climate change adaptation measures fast.

Some small and low population islands do not have the resources to protect their islands and natural resources. They experience climate hazards which impact on human health, livelihoods, and inhabitable space. This can lead to pressure to leave these islands but resources to do so are often lacking as well.

Efforts to combat these challenges are ongoing and multinational. Many of the small island developing countries have a high vulnerability to climate change, whilst having contributed very little to global greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, some small island countries have made advocacy for global cooperation on climate change mitigation a key aspect of their foreign policy.

Economics

Japan is an archipelago in Asia that constitutes one of the richest and most populated nations on Earth.
Singapore, an affluent and highly developed sovereign island country by which its territories consists of a main island and other smaller islands

Many island countries rely heavily on imports and are greatly affected by changes in the global economy. Due to the nature of island countries their economies are often characterised by being smaller, relatively isolated from world trade and economy, more vulnerable to shipping costs, and more likely to suffer environmental damage to infrastructure; exceptions include Japan, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. The dominant industry for many island countries is tourism.

Composition

Island countries are typically small with low populations, although some, like Indonesia, Japan, and the Philippines are notable exceptions.

Some island countries are centred on one or two major islands, such as the United Kingdom, Trinidad and Tobago, New Zealand, Cuba, Bahrain, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Iceland, Malta, and Taiwan. Others are spread out over hundreds or thousands of smaller islands, such as Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, The Bahamas, Seychelles, and the Maldives. Some island countries share one or more of their islands with other countries, such as the United Kingdom and Ireland; Haiti and the Dominican Republic; and Indonesia, which shares islands with Papua New Guinea, Brunei, East Timor, and Malaysia. Bahrain, Singapore, and the United Kingdom have fixed links such as bridges and tunnels to the continental landmass: Bahrain is linked to Saudi Arabia by the King Fahd Causeway, Singapore to Malaysia by the Johor–Singapore Causeway and Second Link, and the United Kingdom has a railway connection to France through the Channel Tunnel.

Geographically, the country of Australia is considered a continental landmass rather than an island, covering the largest landmass of the Australian continent. In the past, however, it was considered an island country for tourism purposes (among others) and is sometimes referred to as such.

See also

References

  1. ^ Ott, Dan (1996). Small is Democratic. Routledge. p. 128. ISBN 0-8153-3910-0. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  2. Chepkemoi, Joyce (April 25, 2017). "Which Are The Island Countries Of The World?". WorldAtlas.com. Archived from the original on 2017-12-07. Retrieved 2019-08-10.
  3. "Population, total 2015-2019". World Bank Open Data. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  4. Chasle, Raymond (1 Oct 1986). "The quest for identity. (island countries)". UNESCO Courier. Archived from the original on 22 May 2015. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
  5. Perry, Walt L.; Robert W. Button; Jerome Bracken; Thomas Sullivan; Rand Corporation; United States Navy; Jonathan Mitchell (2002). Measures of Effectiveness for the Information-age Navy. Rand Corporation. p. 7. ISBN 0-8330-3139-2. Archived from the original on 2023-03-30. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
  6. WREN, CHRISTOPHER S. (December 9, 1989). "Mercenary Holding Island Nation Seeks Deal". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2020-01-22. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
  7. "Many of the world's poorest people depend on fish". Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 2005-06-07. Archived from the original on 2019-08-26. Retrieved 2017-09-30.
  8. Xingwei, Huang (2008-10-17). "Pacific Islands countries switch to renewable energy source due to increasing fuel prices". Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
  9. "Leader of disappearing island nation says climate change an issue of survival, not economics". June 5, 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-06-05. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
  10. "FAO: Climate change threatens food security of Pacific island countries". December 2, 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-12-07. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
  11. Mycoo, M., M.Wairiu, D. Campbell, V. Duvat, Y. Golbuu, S. Maharaj, J. Nalau, P. Nunn, J. Pinnegar, and O.Warrick, 2022: "Chapter 15: Small Islands". In: "Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change" . Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA, pp. 2043–2121, doi:10.1017/9781009325844.017.
  12. ^ Thomas, Adelle; Baptiste, April; Martyr-Koller, Rosanne; Pringle, Patrick; Rhiney, Kevon (2020-10-17). "Climate Change and Small Island Developing States". Annual Review of Environment and Resources. 45 (1): 1–27. doi:10.1146/annurev-environ-012320-083355. ISSN 1543-5938. Text was copied from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
  13. ^ Betzold, Carola (2015-12-01). "Adapting to climate change in small island developing states". Climatic Change. 133 (3): 481–489. Bibcode:2015ClCh..133..481B. doi:10.1007/s10584-015-1408-0. ISSN 1573-1480. S2CID 153937782.
  14. "Hardship and Vulnerability in the Pacific Island Countries". The World Bank Group. 27 March 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  15. "WTO/FORSEC Trade Policy Course for Pacific island countries". 9 March 2001. Archived from the original on 2013-10-02. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
  16. "NZ calls for global solutions to problems faced by small island nations". 2005-01-18. Archived from the original on 2012-10-24. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
  17. Garg, Sarika. "U.N. ambassador gives keynote". Archived from the original on 2019-10-29. Retrieved 2017-09-05.
  18. "China enlists Pacific island countries as tourist destinations, XINHUA". The America's Intelligence Wire. 10 August 2004. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2009.
  19. "Wen pledges new aid to Pacific countries". International Herald Tribune. April 5, 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-02-17. Retrieved 2013-08-21.
  20. "Australian Naval Defence". The Brisbane Courier. 24 July 1897. Archived from the original on 2017-12-06. Retrieved 2009-01-31.
  21. "China, Pacific island countries discuss cooperation at forum meeting". Archived from the original on 2012-10-13. Retrieved 2009-02-01.

External links

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