List of Canadian Islands by Area

List of Canadian Islands by Area: The Dominion of Canada has around 52,455 islands in total excluding small islands that are present in the freshwater lakes. Baffin Island is the largest in the country which has an area of 507,451 square kilometers. The island is located between Greenland and the Canadian mainland which is known as Nunavut. The island is the fifth largest island in the world which is present in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Prince Edward Island is the smallest province of Canada that is the smallest island of the country. Below is the list of Canadian Islands by their area.

List of Canadian Islands by Area

The Dominion of Canada islands has around 50 islands that have an area of greater than 1,000 km2. These islands cover 1,545,444 km2 of the total area of the country. Here are the 50 islands list of Canada as mentioned below.

Island Name	Area (KM^2)	Location
Baffin Island	507,451	Nunavut
Victoria Island	217,291	Northwest Territories, Nunavut
Ellesmere Island	196,236	Nunavut
Newfoundland	108,860	Newfoundland and Labrador
Banks Island	70,028	Northwest Territories
Devon Island	55,247	Nunavut
Axel Heiberg Island	43,178	Nunavut
Melville Island	42,149	Northwest Territories, Nunavut
Southampton Island	41,214	Nunavut
Prince of Wales Island	33,339	Nunavut
Vancouver Island	31,285	British Columbia
Somerset Island	24,786	Nunavut
Bathurst Island	16,042	Nunavut
Prince Patrick Island	15,848	Northwest Territories
King William Island	13,111	Nunavut
Ellef Ringnes Island	11,295	Nunavut
Bylot Island	11,067	Nunavut
Cape Breton Island	10,311	Nova Scotia
Prince Charles Island	9,521	Nunavut
Anticosti Island	7,941	Quebec
Cornwallis Island	6,995	Nunavut
Graham Island	6,361	British Columbia
Prince Edward Island	5,620	Prince Edward Island
Coats Island	5,498	Nunavut
Amund Ringnes Island	5,255	Nunavut
Mackenzie King Island	5,048	Northwest Territories, Nunavut
Stefansson Island	4,463	Nunavut
Mansel Island	3,180	Nunavut
Akimiski Island	3,001	Nunavut
Borden Island	2,794	Northwest Territories, Nunavut
Manitoulin Island	2,766	Ontario
Moresby Island	2,608	British Columbia
Cornwall Island	2,358	Nunavut
Princess Royal Island	2,251	British Columbia
Richards Island	2,165	Northwest Territories
René-Levasseur Island	2,020	Quebec
Air Force Island	1,720	Nunavut
Flaherty Island	1,585	Nunavut
Eglinton Island	1,541	Northwest Territories
Graham Island	1,378	Nunavut
Pitt Island	1,375	British Columbia
Nottingham Island	1,372	Nunavut
Lougheed Island	1,308	Nunavut
Byam Martin Island	1,150	Nunavut
Wales Island	1,137	Nunavut
Île Vanier	1,126	Nunavut
Rowley Island	1,090	Nunavut
Cameron Island	1,059	Nunavut
Resolution Island	1,015	Nunavut
Banks Island	1,005	British Columbia

Prince of Wales Island, Nunavut

Prince of Wales Island is a large island in the Arctic, located in Nunavut, Canada. It is located between Victoria Island and Somerset Island and is south of the Queen Elizabeth Islands. It is divided administratively between the Qikiqtaaluk and Kitikmeot regions. The island does not have any permanent settlements. It is covered in tundra and has a coastline that is not smooth, with Ommanney Bay in the west and Browne Bay in the east making deep cuts into the land. Here are the details as mentioned below.

Population	Estimated at around 5,000-6,000 people
Indigenous Peoples	Traditional territory of the Haida Nation
Economy	Primarily based on fishing, logging, and tourism
Wildlife	Rich biodiversity including bears, eagles, salmon, and unique marine life
Attractions	Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, UNESCO World Heritage Site; Haida Heritage Centre; Cultural events and festivals
Environmental Issues	Concerns over deforestation, impact of industrial activities on wildlife and marine ecosystems
Transportation	Accessible by ferry from mainland British Columbia; limited road infrastructure on the island
Governance	Part of the North Coast Regional District
History	Historically significant for Indigenous Haida culture; site of early European exploration and colonial presence
Climate	Temperate rainforest climate with mild, wet winters and cool, damp summers

Southampton Island, Nunavut

Southampton Island is also called as the Shugliaq in Inuktitut. It is a large island located at the entrance to Hudson Bay, within Foxe Basin. It is a significant part of the Arctic Archipelago and falls under the Kivalliq Region in Nunavut, Canada. It ranks as the 34th largest island globally and the ninth largest in Canada. The only community on Southampton Island is Coral Harbour, with a population of 1,035 according to the 2021 Canadian census. Here are the major details as mentioned below.

Population	Estimated population of around 1,000 (sparse)
Geography	Arctic island, mostly tundra and rocky terrain
Climate	Arctic climate, characterized by cold winters
Fauna	Polar bears, Arctic foxes, migratory birds
Flora	Sparse vegetation, including lichens and mosses
Indigenous People	Inuit (predominantly)
Economy	Predominantly subsistence hunting and fishing
Infrastructure	Limited, mostly basic amenities
Tourism	Limited, mainly for adventure and wildlife enthusiasts
Notable Features	Wildlife, remote landscapes, historical sites

Melville Island, Northwest Territories, Nunavut

Melville Island is a big, empty island in the Arctic. It is the 33rd largest island globally and the eighth largest in Canada. The mountains on Melville Island are really tall, up to about 750 meters high. It is divided between two places: the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Nunavut manages most of the eastern part, and the Northwest Territories takes care of the western side. There is a line along the 110th meridian west that splits the island.

In the eastern part, there are two areas belonging to the Northwest Territories but surrounded by Nunavut. Here are the major details as mentioned below.

Population	Sparsely populated, primarily transient researchers and military personnel
Climate	Arctic climate, characterized by long, cold winters and short, cool summers
Geography	Mostly flat terrain, with some low hills and coastal areas
Wildlife	Home to various Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, Arctic foxes, caribou, and migratory birds
Economic Activity	Limited economic activity, primarily focused on research and military operations
Indigenous Presence	Historically inhabited by Inuit peoples, but currently, no permanent settlements
Notable Features	Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, Melville Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Accessibility	Accessible primarily by air and occasionally by sea during ice-free months
Environmental Issues	Vulnerable to climate change impacts such as melting ice and changes in wildlife habitats

7. Axel Heiberg Island, Nunavut

Axel Heiberg Island is an empty island in Canada’s far north, part of Nunavut. It is the 32nd biggest island in the world and the seventh largest in Canada, covering an area of 43,178 square kilometers. It is named after Axel Heiberg. Known for its old fossil forests from a long time ago, these forests are special because many of the plant remains do not have minerals, so they are more like mummies than fossils. They give evidence of a wetland forest in a cold area.

Here are the major details as mentioned below.

Highest Point	Outlook Peak, 2,210 meters (7,250 feet)
Population	Uninhabited
Geography	Arctic desert characterized by glaciers, polar deserts, and ice
Climate	Polar desert climate, with long, cold winters and cool summers
Notable Features	– Glaciers: Massive ice caps and glaciers cover much of the island – Fossil Finds: Rich fossil deposits dating back millions of years – Research Station: Environment Canada operates a research station, Eureka Weather Station
Accessibility	Generally inaccessible to tourists due to its remote location
Conservation Status	Part of the Quttinirpaaq National Park, protecting its unique environment
Activities	Limited to scientific research due to harsh climate and isolation

6. Devon Island, Nunavut

Devon Island is a large and empty island in Canada, located in Baffin Bay, Nunavut. It is the biggest uninhabited island in the world. Covering an area of 55,247 square kilometers. It is about the same size as Croatia. The island’s rocks include gneiss and siltstones, and its highest point is the Devon Ice Cap, reaching 1,920 meters. There are also mountain ranges such as the Treuter Mountains and Haddington Range. Scientists are interested because its surface resembles that of Mars.

Here are the major details as mentioned below.

Climate	Arctic climate, characterized by cold temperatures, snow, and ice
Geography	Mostly barren, with glaciers, polar desert, and rocky terrain
Notable Features	– Largest uninhabited island on Earth – Haughton impact crater – Mars Society’s Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS)
Wildlife	Limited, mainly arctic wildlife such as polar bears, arctic foxes, and various bird species
Accessibility	Remote and difficult to access, mainly by chartered flights or research expeditions
Importance	– Analog site for Mars exploration research – Environmental research site due to its pristine condition

5. Banks Island, Northwest Territories

Banks Island is a large part of the Arctic islands. It is located in the Inuvik area of the Northwest Territories. It is separated from Victoria Island by the Prince of Wales Strait and from the mainland by Amundsen Gulf. The Beaufort Sea is on its west side, and M’Clure Strait separates it from Prince Patrick Island and Melville Island to the northeast. Many animals live on Banks Island, including Peary caribou, barren-ground caribou, and polar bears.

It used to be home to a large population of muskoxen, but their numbers have sharply declined due to a bacterium. During the summer, hundreds of thousands of migratory birds make their nests at Banks Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary No. 1 and Banks Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary No. 2. Here are the major details as mentioned below.

Population	Sparse, estimated to be around 136 (2016)
Geography	Mostly covered by tundra and ice
Climate	Arctic climate, characterized by long, cold winters and short, cool summers
Wildlife	Rich biodiversity including polar bears, muskoxen, Arctic foxes, and migratory birds
Economy	Limited economic activities, primarily focused on hunting, fishing, and tourism
Accessibility	Remote and inaccessible by road, accessible mainly by air or sea during certain seasons
Administrative Division	Part of Inuvik Region, Northwest Territories
Indigenous Presence	Traditional lands of Inuvialuit and possibly other indigenous peoples

4. Newfoundland, Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland is a large island off the eastern coast of North America and part of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It’s separated from the Labrador Peninsula by the Strait of Belle Isle and from Cape Breton Island by the Cabot Strait. Even though it makes up only 29% of the province’s land, it has over 60% of the population.

It blocks the mouth of the Saint Lawrence River, creating the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, which is the largest estuary in the world. Newfoundland is the 16th largest island globally, the fourth largest in Canada, and the largest Canadian island outside the North. Here are the major details as mentioned below.

Time Zone	Newfoundland Time Zone (UTC-3:30)
Official Language	English
Economy	Historically reliant on fishing, oil, and gas, Newfoundland is diversifying into tourism and services.
Major Cities	St. John’s, Corner Brook, Mount Pearl
Geography	Rugged coastline, fjords, and abundant wildlife
Notable Attractions	Gros Morne National Park, Signal Hill, L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, Iceberg Alley (seasonal)
Climate	Maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters, but prone to severe weather including snowstorms and fog
Transportation	Trans-Canada Highway, Marine Atlantic ferry service connecting to mainland Canada, St. John’s International Airport (YYT)

3. Ellesmere Island, Nunavut

Ellesmere Island, known as ‘Land of Muskoxen’ in Inuktitut or simply ‘Ellesmere Island’ in French, is the farthest north island of Canada and the third biggest globally, covering an area of 196,236 square kilometers, which is slightly smaller than Great Britain. It stretches about 830 kilometers in total length. Located within the Arctic Archipelago, Ellesmere Island is considered part of the Queen Elizabeth Islands. Cape Columbia, positioned at 83°06′41″N 069°57′13″W, marks the northernmost point of land in Canada and one of the most northern points globally.

The island is characterized by its mountainous landscape, mainly formed by the Arctic Cordillera mountain system, making it the most mountainous in the Arctic Archipelago. About one-fifth of the island is protected within Quttinirpaaq National Park, safeguarding its natural beauty and wildlife. Here are the major details as mentioned below.

Highest Point	Barbeau Peak, 2,616 meters (8,583 feet)
Climate	Arctic climate, characterized by long, cold winters and short, cool summers
Wildlife	Home to various Arctic wildlife including polar bears, Arctic foxes, Arctic wolves, muskoxen, and numerous bird species
Human Population	Very sparsely populated, with only occasional scientific research stations and small settlements
Exploration	Explored by numerous expeditions seeking the Northwest Passage; notable explorers include Robert Peary and Roald Amundsen
Geography	Dominated by glaciers, ice caps, and tundra, with rugged mountains in the interior
Conservation Status	Parts of Ellesmere Island are protected within Quttinirpaaq National Park
Economic Activities	Limited economic activities due to harsh climate and remote location; primarily research and some mining activities
Indigenous Peoples	Historically inhabited by Inuit and other Arctic indigenous peoples
Notable Features	Mount Barbeau, Lake Hazen, Axel Heiberg Glacier, Eureka Weather Station, and the vicinity of the Magnetic North Pole

2. Victoria Island – 217,291 km2 – Northwest Territories, Nunavut

Victoria Island is a large island found in the Arctic Archipelago, which is shared by Nunavut and the Northwest Territories of Canada. It’s the eighth-biggest island globally and the second-largest in Canada, covering an area of 217,291 square kilometers. To give you an idea, it’s almost twice the size of Newfoundland and slightly bigger than Great Britain but smaller than Honshu. The western part of the island falls under the Inuvik Region of the Northwest Territories, while the rest belongs to Nunavut’s Kitikmeot Region. It’s home to around 2,168 people who live in two settlements: Cambridge Bay in Nunavut and Ulukhaktok in the Northwest Territories.

The island is named after Queen Victoria, who was the Canadian sovereign from 1867 to 1901, although she became queen in 1837. Places named “Prince Albert” on the island are in honor of her husband and consort, Albert. Here are the major details as mentioned below.

Population	Sparse population, primarily inhabited by Indigenous peoples such as the Inuit and Inuvialuit
Major Settlements	– Sachs Harbour – Ulukhaktok (formerly known as Holman) – Cambridge Bay – Kugluktuk
Geography	Primarily characterized by tundra landscapes, with lakes, rivers, and some mountainous regions
Climate	Cold Arctic climate with long, harsh winters and short, cool summers
Wildlife	Rich biodiversity including polar bears, caribou, muskoxen, Arctic foxes, and various bird species
Economic Activities	– Traditional hunting, fishing, and trapping – Mining (predominantly zinc and lead) – Tourism (limited due to remote location and harsh climate)
Transportation	Limited transportation infrastructure; primarily accessed via air and occasionally by sea (during ice-free months)
Natural Resources	Rich in mineral resources such as zinc, lead, and potentially oil and gas reserves
Indigenous Culture	Strong presence of Indigenous cultures with traditional practices, languages, and art forms
Protected Areas	– Aulavik National Park – Tuktut Nogait National Park – Banks Island No. 1 National Wildlife Area
Challenges	– Remote location and limited access to essential services – Environmental threats from climate change and resource extraction – Socio-economic challenges facing Indigenous communities

Baffin Island, Nunavut

Baffin Island, previously called Baffin Land, is located in Nunavut, Canada. It is the biggest island in Canada and the fifth biggest globally. It covers an area of about 507,451 square kilometers and has very few people living there, only about 0.03 individuals per square kilometer.

According to the 2021 Canadian census, the population was 13,039. Baffin Island is located at coordinates 68°N 70°W. It includes the city of Iqaluit, which is the capital of Nunavut, with a population of approximately 7,000 residents. Here are the major details as mentioned below.

Population	Approximately 13,148 (as of 2021)
Indigenous Population	Predominantly Inuit
Climate	Arctic climate, with long, cold winters and short, cool summers
Geography	Mountainous terrain, with fjords and glaciers
Wildlife	Rich biodiversity including polar bears, Arctic foxes, seals, whales, and various bird species
Economy	Primarily subsistence hunting, fishing, and small-scale mining; growing tourism industry
Main Settlements	Iqaluit (capital of Nunavut), Pangnirtung, Pond Inlet, Clyde River
Transportation	Limited road network; primarily accessed by air and sea; small local airports in major settlements
Attractions	Auyuittuq National Park, Sirmilik National Park, Inuit cultural experiences, Northern Lights viewing
Challenges	Harsh weather conditions, limited infrastructure, high cost of living, preservation of traditional Inuit way of life
Conservation Efforts	Conservation of Arctic ecosystems, protection of wildlife habitats, sustainable development initiatives

World’s Largest Island – Greenland 

Greenland is the world’s largest island, not a continent. It covers an area of 2,130,800 square kilometers. Greenland is located between the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.

• It has some self-governance but relies on Denmark for foreign, security, and currency policies.
• While not part of the EU, Greenland has a special fishing agreement and close ties to the EU.
• The official currency is the Danish krone.
• Greenland’s climate is cold, with mild summers and freezing winters.
• The landscape is mostly covered by an ice cap with a rocky coastline.

World’s Smallest Island – Pheasant Island

Pheasant Island is a small uninhabited island in the Bidasoa river. It is located between France and Spain. Administration of the island changes every six months between the two countries.

• For six months, it is under Spanish administration, and for the other six months, it is under French administration.
• The island’s border moves with time, a unique phenomenon happening twice a year.
• It has been jointly managed by France and Spain since the signing of the 1659 Treaty of the Pyrenees.
• The island covers an area of 1.5 acres, making it the smallest condominium in the world.

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List of Canadian Islands by Area – FAQs

What are the 3 largest islands in Canada?

Canada has three of the world’s ten largest islands: Baffin, Ellesmere and Victoria.

How many islands are there in Canada?

The Dominion of Canada has around 52,455 islands in total excluding small islands that are present in the freshwater lakes.

What is the largest island owned by Canada?

Baffin Island, island lying between Greenland and the Canadian mainland. With an area of 195,928 square miles (507,451 square km), it is the largest island in Canada and the fifth largest in the world.

Which is bigger Vancouver Island or Prince Edward Island?

PEI is 5,660 km². Vancouver Island is 32,100 km². So Prince Edward Island is definitely smaller by almost 6 times.

What is the smallest island in Canada?

Prince Edward Island. At 280 kilometres long, Prince Edward Island (PEI) is Canada’s smallest province. The Island is connected to the mainland by the 12.9 kilometre Confederation Bridge , which begins in Bordon-Carleton, PEI and ends in Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick.

How many islands are near Toronto?

The Toronto Islands are comprised of 15 small islands in Lake Ontario. It is right off of the mainland.