An island country is a
country that is wholly confined to an
island, several islands, an
island group or several island groups, and has no territory on the
mainland of a
continent. Forty-seven of the
world's countries are island countries (2007), including most of the smallest ones.Island countries can be divided in two approximate groups. A group of large, relatively populous nations which are usually close to a
continent including:
Japan,
Sri Lanka, the
Philippines,
Cuba, the
United Kingdom,
Madagascar, and
Indonesia. These countries typically share cultural and political similarities with their continental neighbours. Island locations have frequently been advantageous, providing isolation from invasion and the the maritime abilities of the population gave advantage in regional and international trade.
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