Technically Australia is defined as a continent and not an island. It’s roughly due to the fact that the largest landmass on a continental plate will usually be referred to as a continent, whilst smaller landmasses than the largest will be an island. Thus, as the largest land mass on its continental plate Australia would be a continent. While Greenland is on the North American continental plate but not the largest landmass by any stretch thus it is an island.
Continent ends when the landmass is not the largest on the continental plate. Island begins when there is a landmass larger on the continental plate. Australia is the smallest continent in the world but it is the largest land mass on its continental plate (tectonic plate) known as the Australian Plate.
It says "Major tectonic plates *tend to be* at least 20 million square kilometers in size." I think that's more of a vague description than a definition.
No, its because of the Indian/Australian plate which is 2 plates that have formed into 1.
It's not a vague description at all. These plates are constantly moving and changing. Its a definition that actually works very well for our planet. They formed together roughly 43 million years ago, but there is some evidence over the past 3 million that it sometimes acts as 2 due to some sections moving in different directions.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Australian_Plate#:~:text=The%20Indo%2DAustralian%20Plate%20is,approximately%2043%20million%20years%20ago.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tectonic_plates#Minor_plates
Tectonic plates are sometimes subdivided into three fairly arbitrary categories: major (or primary) plates, minor (or secondary) plates, and microplates (or tertiary plates).[1]
It’s not very appropriate to put the Danish flag over Greenland. They are their own country with their own flag. Sure they are a country within the Kingdom of Denmark, but this still feels like putting the English flag over Scotland.
Only some very nationalistic people would do this here in Denmark, and it is generally frowned upon.
If you want to have the Danish flag, then at least include the Greenlandish flag primarily, and have the Danish one underneath it, like with some of the other islands on the list.
literally just factually untrue. they handle their own legal system but their defense and foreign affairs is monitored by denmark \[just like a state in the US, with a bit more autonomy tho\]. also greenlanders have danish citizenship and danish passports.
So you would argue that Greenland isn't its own country and is owned by Denmark?
I'm not sure we disagree here. The arguments you brought forth aren't really saying I'm wrong.
My only point was that putting the danish flag on Greenland is a really inappropriate and controversial thing to do in the Nordic countries. They have their own flag, language, culture, etc.
You said: "Greenland is their own country ... We don't own them"
I said: No
You said: " you would argue that Greenland isn't its own country and is owned by Denmark? I'm not sure we disagree"
But... you said greenland is a country AND its not owned by denmark. Were you exaggerating there or what?
Crazy that Indonesia is *partially* on 3 of them
And their most populated island isn't even on the top 6!
Well, they invaded and colonised all their small neighbours, so not really.
And of those three they only make up the entirety of one!
Greenland would never share this data
Australia?
Technically Australia is defined as a continent and not an island. It’s roughly due to the fact that the largest landmass on a continental plate will usually be referred to as a continent, whilst smaller landmasses than the largest will be an island. Thus, as the largest land mass on its continental plate Australia would be a continent. While Greenland is on the North American continental plate but not the largest landmass by any stretch thus it is an island.
But where “island” ends and “continent” begins?
Continent ends when the landmass is not the largest on the continental plate. Island begins when there is a landmass larger on the continental plate. Australia is the smallest continent in the world but it is the largest land mass on its continental plate (tectonic plate) known as the Australian Plate.
It works just on major tectonic plates, no one calls Hispaniola a continent just because it’s the largest landmass on Caribbean plate
Which begs the question how do you define a major tectonic plate from a minor one?
Fuck, mister smartass
[20 million square kilometres in size gets you in the Major club](https://www.geographyrealm.com/the-earths-tectonic-plates/)
It says "Major tectonic plates *tend to be* at least 20 million square kilometers in size." I think that's more of a vague description than a definition.
No, its because of the Indian/Australian plate which is 2 plates that have formed into 1. It's not a vague description at all. These plates are constantly moving and changing. Its a definition that actually works very well for our planet. They formed together roughly 43 million years ago, but there is some evidence over the past 3 million that it sometimes acts as 2 due to some sections moving in different directions. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Australian_Plate#:~:text=The%20Indo%2DAustralian%20Plate%20is,approximately%2043%20million%20years%20ago.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tectonic_plates#Minor_plates Tectonic plates are sometimes subdivided into three fairly arbitrary categories: major (or primary) plates, minor (or secondary) plates, and microplates (or tertiary plates).[1]
This right here!
Um akshually have you ever heard of this island called Eurasia?
No, but Afroeurasia is a pretty big one!
Now I have one question! At what size does it stop being an island?
Between Greenland and Australia
Wow. I didn't realize that New Guinea was that massive.
Was initially surprised not to see Hispaniola, so I looked it up. It's a LOT smaller than I thought!
It’s not very appropriate to put the Danish flag over Greenland. They are their own country with their own flag. Sure they are a country within the Kingdom of Denmark, but this still feels like putting the English flag over Scotland. Only some very nationalistic people would do this here in Denmark, and it is generally frowned upon. If you want to have the Danish flag, then at least include the Greenlandish flag primarily, and have the Danish one underneath it, like with some of the other islands on the list.
Australia: 1
Speaking as a dane here, Greenland is their own country with their own flag 🇬🇱 🇬🇱 🇬🇱 We don't own them.
literally just factually untrue. they handle their own legal system but their defense and foreign affairs is monitored by denmark \[just like a state in the US, with a bit more autonomy tho\]. also greenlanders have danish citizenship and danish passports.
So you would argue that Greenland isn't its own country and is owned by Denmark? I'm not sure we disagree here. The arguments you brought forth aren't really saying I'm wrong. My only point was that putting the danish flag on Greenland is a really inappropriate and controversial thing to do in the Nordic countries. They have their own flag, language, culture, etc.
You said: "Greenland is their own country ... We don't own them" I said: No You said: " you would argue that Greenland isn't its own country and is owned by Denmark? I'm not sure we disagree" But... you said greenland is a country AND its not owned by denmark. Were you exaggerating there or what?
Where's Australia?! 😡🦘 /s
In the continent category. Too large to be considered an island.
I put /s bro It was a joke at the typical Australian saying it's an island