Plenty of countries all over the planet claim island territories, whether those islands are legitimately separate territories or offshoots of the mainland country. While you might picture islands as always being tropical, sunshine-filled places, that’s actually not true—at least, not for some of the countries with the most islands.
While many countries have a few thousand or more islands, there are some that have way more. These countries have more than 10,000 islands each, according to Statista, with one country having tens of thousands more than any other.
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Countries with the most islands
Find more infographics at Statista
7 Japan
Japan has 14,125 islands
Japan consists of thousands of islands, but only a few hundred are inhabited. There are a handful of main islands where most people live (and tourists visit), including:
Hokkaidō Island Honshū Island Shikoku Island Kyūshū Island Okinawa Island
Japan also has two different island chains that you can drive across, the Nanpō and Nansei Islands. Given that it has so many islands—and so much coastline—it’s not that surprising that Japan has one of the best beaches in the world.
“Japan even discovered in March 2023 that it had double the amount of islands than originally thought. A Geospatial Information Authority of Japan survey upped the country’s total from 6,852 to 14,125. The original figure had been based on a 1987 Japan Coast Guard report.” — Statista
About Japan’s islands
Most visited: Okinawa Biggest: Honshu Smallest: Shikoku
6 Indonesia
Indonesia has 17,504 islands
Indonesia’s islands are famous for a few reasons. For one, Komodo Island is home to, of course, Komodo dragons. But Komodo Island also has a pink beach that makes for super photogenic snapshots. That said, Komodo isn’t the most-visited or largest island in Indonesia. Bali may be the best-known of Indonesia’s islands, but others are known for tourism as well.
About Indonesia’s islands
Most visited: Bali Biggest: Sumatra Smallest: Simping
5 United States
The US has 18,617 islands
The United States’ biggest island chain is well-known, but Hawaii isn’t the only island territory in the US. So where are all of the United States’ islands? They range from the Caribbean Sea to the North Pacific to the South Pacific. The US has islands like the Florida Keys, Hawaii, Mackinac Island in Michigan, Kodiak Island in Alaska, and even San Juan Island in Washington, complete with a pine forest. Various inhabited territories are also on the US’ list of islands; Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico are all part of the US’ island lineup.
About the United States’ islands
Most visited: Oahu, Hawaii Biggest: Hawaii Island Smallest: Just Enough Room Island (AKA Hub Island), New York
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4 Canada
Canada has 52,455 islands
Perhaps unsurprisingly, given how many islands it has, Canada has the longest coastline in the world at 151,019 miles. It also has at least one island in each of its many provinces, though Cape Breton Island might be the most visited. Unfortunately, most of Canada’s islands are more chilly travel destinations rather than tropical beach hangouts. That said, Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park does have a reputation as the Caribbean of Canada — though it is not, of course, an island destination.
About Canada’s islands
Most visited: Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia Biggest: Baffin Island Smallest: Prince Edward Island
3 Finland
Finland has 178,947 islands
If you’re not from there, you might be surprised to learn that Finland has over 178,000 islands. A bit of geography sheds some light; Finland’s capital lies on a peninsula and spreads across nearby islands in the Baltic Sea. The sea fortress Suomenlinna lies in Helsinki, on an island separate from mainland Helsinki. Finland is known as a friendly country that is welcoming to tourists, and it’s also a unique travel destination where the sun sometimes doesn’t set for over two months. To catch that phenomenon, visit around May to August!
About Finland’s islands
Most visited: Suomenlinna Biggest: Åland Smallest: Märket
2 Norway
Norway has 239,057 islands
Norway has a lot going for it, including the fact that it’s the best country for retirement due to high life expectancy, great healthcare, and more. However, Norway is also one of the darkest places in the world year-round. Svalbard, one of Norway’s archipelagos, is the darkest place on Earth during the Polar Night, which takes place around December to January. Norway is one of the coldest places to live, so be warned before you venture for a visit.
About Norway’s islands
Most visited: The Lofoten Islands Biggest: Spitsbergen Smallest: Kvitsøy
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1 Sweden
Sweden has 267,570 islands
Which country has the most islands? That would be Sweden! Though most of Sweden’s islands are uninhabited, it still holds the record, beating out every other country by tens of thousands. Many of the islands, particularly the larger ones like Gotland, are considered affordable European vacation destinations. Sweden also has the massive archipelago, Stockholm Archipelago, which consists of over 30,000 islands and smaller islets. Visitors can generally experience activities like kayaking, fishing, foraging, and beaches on the islands in Sweden.
About Sweden’s islands
Most visited: Gotland Biggest: Gotland Smallest: Märket
References: Statista, Blue Japan, US Department of the Interior