Landmasses space categorized depending upon their size, and also proximity to water bodies. An island is a secluded piece of land surrounding by water on all sides vice versa, peninsula is a piece of land surrounding by water on just three sides.
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Comparison chart
On all sides | On three sides |
Small or big | Significant |
Continental and also Oceanic | Headland, cape, promontory, bill, point, split |
Air and also water | Land, air and water |
Continental island are formed through a progressive break and movement away from mainland. Oceanic islands have actually a volcanic or coral origin. | Peninsulas are developed through a steady rise in water level, neighboring land at short elevation. |
Not connected | By isthmus or stretch that land |
Often discovered in groups | Single |
Groups of islands room usually traveler attractions, except oceanic islands that are uninhabited | Usually inhabited |
Access to an island and also peninsula
Islands deserve to be accessed only via wait or water as they space not connected to any kind of land masses. Peninsulas are connected to the mainland by one isthmus and also hence deserve to be accessed via land, air and water.
Types the islands and also peninsulas

Types of islands
Islands are mostly of 2 types, continental, and also oceanic. Continental islands are part of continental masses of land that room surrounded by water on every sides. Oceanic archipelago are virtually always formed because of volcanic activity or because of coral formation. Continent islands are occupied whereas oceanic islands space not.
Types of peninsulas
Peninsulas space categorized into headland, cape, promontory, bill, point and split types. Headlands, cape and promontory space peninsulas that room high and also steep, and also often projecting out in the direction of the water. This are hard rocky structures created after erosion the the softer part land by the sea or ocean. A allude is a tapering item of land extending into the ocean, and also a spilt is a deposition landform and is regularly a type of beach.

Formation
How islands are formed
Continental islands are landmasses that broke off from the mainland a long time ago and drifted out right into the sea. Oceanic islands formed due to volcanic eruptions and buildup of lava above the surface of water, or early to build-up of coral.
How a peninsula is formed
Most commonly, peninsulas are formed as result of increases climb of water level because of increased temperatures and also typically wherein the floor is at a low elevation. Gradual rise in the water level leader the land to be surrounded by water on three sides, and develop right into a peninsula.
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World’s biggest island and peninsula
Though the largest recognized island is Australia, the is well-known as a continent island, and also Greenland is classified together the biggest island. The largest peninsula is the Arabian peninsula. Teams of islands are referred to as archipelagos and the largest recognized archipelago is Indonesia comprising of 18000 islands. Groups of archipelago are frequently favourite traveler destinations because of the center temperatures and also scenic beauty connected with this landmasses.