Indian Ocean Islands
The Indian Ocean has numerous islands scattered throughout its vast expanse. Here are some of the major island nations and territories in the Indian Ocean:
- Maldives: This is an island nation made up of around 1,200 coral islands grouped into atolls in the Indian Ocean. It’s known for its beautiful beaches, blue lagoons, and high-end resort islands.
- Seychelles: An archipelago of 115 islands in the western Indian Ocean, it’s famous for its diverse wildlife, like the unique Coco de Mer palm trees and giant Aldabra tortoises.
- Mauritius: A volcanic island nation east of Madagascar, Mauritius has scenic beaches, lagoons, waterfalls and is surrounded by coral reefs teeming with marine life.
- Comoros: This island nation is situated between Mozambique and Madagascar, comprising of three major islands – Grande Comore, Anjouan and Mohéli.
- Réunion: A French overseas region and island located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. It’s known for its rugged landscapes, active volcanoes and coral reefs.
- Mayotte: An overseas region of France made up of two main islands between Mozambique and Madagascar. It has beautiful lagoons and diverse marine ecosystems.
- Madagascar: The fourth largest island in the world lies off the southeastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. It’s famed for unique wildlife found nowhere else.
- Kerguelen Islands: A desolate French territory in the southern Indian Ocean, made up of around 300 islands and islets known for wildlife like elephant seals.
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands: These are Indian territories located in the Indian Ocean, known for their pristine beaches, mangroves and tropical rainforests.
- Sri Lanka: Though not an island nation, the island country of Sri Lanka is located just off the southeastern coast of India in the Indian Ocean.
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean, the third-largest body of water on Earth, has been an essential maritime highway for centuries, facilitating trade, cultural exchanges, and interactions between diverse civilizations. Stretching from Africa to Australia, this vast expanse of water has played an important role in shaping the course of human history, serving as a bridge between nations and continents.
Let’s know more about the Indian Ocean in detail.