Here I will try to analyze all the island states of the tropical and equatorial climate through the eyes not of a tourist, but of a potential Robinson, but I will not choose any specific ones. I will not include island countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, etc. on the list. Taiwan, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Caribbean countries, as well as states consisting of one inhabited island - due to my skepticism about Robinsonade on them. Why is it important to know the form of government in a state? Because some island states are overseas territories of other large countries such as Great Britain, France, New Zealand, USA, India. It follows that control in such countries is much more serious than in independent island states.
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Vanuatu
83 islands (mostly volcanic). Parliamentary republic. Languages: Bislama, English, French. Population 215 thousand people. For Russian citizens, visa-free entry for up to 30 days. Standard rules for entry. To import seeds, plants, fish, seafood, meat and dairy products (including frozen and canned) a permit from the Vanuatu Ministry of Agriculture is required. The climate is tropical, close to equatorial. Precipitation ranges from 2000 to 5000 mm per year, depending on the area. High humidity: from 70% in the dry season and up to 100% in the rainy season. The soils are favorable for planting and there is a variety of vegetation. A flight from Moscow to Port Vila costs about 38,000 rubles. Lack of large mammals. Presence of malaria.
The hut of one of the New Guinea tribes at an altitude of about 50 m.
Papua New Guinea
Consists of a large number of islands, many of which are uninhabited. A constitutional monarchy. Local languages and English. Population 6 million people. Russian citizens require a visa. The climate is tropical, humid. The area is covered. Presence of malaria and other diseases. Presence of large mammals.
Solomon islands
Island state. Consists of 992 volcanic (mostly) islands. A constitutional monarchy. English language. They are located in a seismically dangerous region where earthquakes often occur. Population 478 thousand people. A visa is required to enter. The climate is tropical, humid. The soil is favorable for vegetation.
Monoriki Island, the movie "Cast Away" was filmed here
Fiji
Consists of 332 islands of volcanic and coral origin. Republic. Languages English and local. Population 849 thousand people. For Russian citizens, visa-free entry for up to 4 months. The importation of vegetables, seeds, meat and dairy products requires special permission from the Fiji Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests. The climate is tropical. The amount of precipitation is from 2000 to 5000 mm. Many islands have soil favorable for planting. Transit routes to other Oceanian countries pass through Fiji. The most visited island country of all. Air travel from Moscow to Nadi (Fiji) usually passes through Hong Kong or Seoul; a ticket costs approximately 32,000 rubles.
Flint
Kiribati
Consists of 33 atolls, 20 of which are uninhabited. Presidential republic. Language English, Kiribati. Population 98 thousand people. Russian citizens require a visa to enter. The climate is equatorial, oceanic. The hottest months are September-November, the coldest are January-March. The amount of precipitation varies from 800 to 4000 mm. The soil is not favorable for planting. Vegetation is sparse. A flight from Moscow will cost approximately 57,000 rubles.
Classic atoll landscape
Marshall Islands
Consists of 29 atolls and 5 islands. Republic. Languages Marshallese and English. Population 56 thousand people. Russian citizens require a visa. The climate is predominantly tropical, arid in the north and equatorial in the south. Precipitation ranges from 300 to 4300 mm. The soil is not suitable for farming.
Famous islets in Palau
Consists of 328 islands (mostly small coral). Presidential republic. Language English, Paluan. Population 20 thousand people. For Russian citizens, a visa is issued upon arrival (stamped into the passport) for a period of 30 days. Import of seeds, plants, meat and dairy products requires permission from the Palauan Ministry of Agriculture. The climate is tropical, with a rainy season from May to November. The flight will cost about 30,000 rubles.
Northern Mariana Islands
Consists of 14 volcanic islands. They are US territory. Languages English and local. Population 86 thousand people. Russian citizens require a US visa. The climate is tropical, trade wind-monsoon type. Dry season from December to June, rainy season from July to October. From August to November there are typhoons. The soil is suitable for farming.
Pohnpei Island
Federated States of Micronesia
Consists of 607 small islands and atolls, of which 65 are inhabited. Republic, free association with the United States. English language. Population 107 thousand people. For citizens of the Russian Federation, visa-free entry for up to 30 days. The climate is equatorial. Precipitation ranges from 2250 mm to 3000-6000 mm. Typhoon season is from August to December. The soil is suitable for farming, but not everywhere.
Cook Islands
Consists of 15 islands and atolls, 3 of which are uninhabited. A constitutional monarchy. Free association with New Zealand. Languages local and English. Population 19 thousand people. For Russian citizens, visa-free entry for up to 31 days. The islands have a tropical maritime climate with a distinct rainy season from November to April and a dry season from May to October. The average annual precipitation is about 2000 mm. A flight from Moscow will cost approximately 40,000 rubles.
Savaii
Samoa
Consists of several islands. Parliamentary republic. Languages Samoan and English. Population 188 thousand people. For citizens of the Russian Federation, visa-free entry for up to 60 days. The climate is humid, tropical. The amount of precipitation on the plains is from 2000 mm and in the mountains up to 7000 mm per year. Relative humidity is 80%. A flight from Moscow will cost approximately 45,000 rubles.
The extinct volcano Kao, as seen from Tofua Island
Tonga
Consists of 172 islands and atolls. A constitutional monarchy. Languages Tongan, English. Population 120 thousand people. For citizens of the Russian Federation, a visa is issued upon arrival (stamp) for up to 31 days. The climate is tropical. The amount of precipitation is about 2500 mm. The soils on many islands are suitable for farming. The flight costs approximately 42,000 rubles.
Tuvalu
Consists of 5 atolls and 4 islands. Monarchy. Languages Tuvalu, English. Population 12 thousand people. For citizens of the Russian Federation, a visa is issued upon arrival for 1 month. The climate is tropical. The amount of precipitation is about 3000 mm per year. The wet season is from November to April, the dry season is from May to October. A flight from Moscow will cost approximately 44,000 rubles.
Bora Bora Island
French polynesia
Consists of a large number of islands and atolls. Overseas Society of France. Language French. Population 287 thousand people. Russian citizens need a French visa to enter. The climate is tropical. A flight from Moscow will cost about 50,000 rubles.
Philippines
Large island state. Consists of 7100 islands. Unitary presidential constitutional republic. Languages Pilipino, English. Population 101 million people. For Russian citizens, visa-free entry for a period of 21 days. The climate is tropical, monsoon. The northern regions of the country are often hit by typhoons and tsunamis are possible. The amount of precipitation per year ranges from 1000 to 4000 mm. The soil is suitable for farming. A flight from Moscow will cost approximately 16,000 rubles.
What is an atoll? An atoll is a ring-shaped coral reef that partially or completely surrounds a lagoon. In other words, an atoll is a narrow piece of land that both borders and is surrounded by water. This is what distinguishes an atoll from an ordinary island. While an island is just a piece of land surrounded by water, an atoll contains a body of water within itself.
Another interesting thing about atolls is the fact that they are not actually made of soil, but of coral. The corals have to grow fast enough to replace parts of the atoll that are being destroyed by erosion in order for the atoll to remain intact. Because corals thrive only in warm waters, atolls can only be found in the tropics and subtropics. Hence, atolls are unique coral land masses consisting of crystal clear lagoon and spectacular colorful reefs overflowing with amazing marine life. Sounds exciting, doesn't it?!
Let's go on an amazing journey through the tropics. From the stunning Aitutaki Atoll in the Cook Islands to the otherworldly beauty of the atolls in the Maldives, we present to you the 25 most stunning atolls in the world.
25. Takapoto, French Polynesia
Takapoto, measuring 20 by 7 kilometers, is an atoll located in the Tuamoto archipelago in French Polynesia. Discovered by Dutch navigator Jacob Le Maire in 1616, the atoll is currently home to approximately 380 people.
24. Aitutaki, Cook Islands
Aitutaki Atoll is home to approximately 2,000 people. It is the second most visited island in the Cook Islands. The atoll, which authorities have protected from mass tourism, is famous for its turquoise waters of the central lagoon and picturesque palm-fringed beaches.
23. Ulithi, Caroline Islands
Ulithi, part of the Federated States of Micronesia, is an atoll made up of 40 islets surrounding one of the largest lagoons in the world. The atoll was the main staging area for the US Navy during World War II. Several sunken ships are still at the bottom of this lagoon.
22. Tubbataha Reef, Philippines
Tubbataha Reef, located in the center of the Sulu Sea, is a marine and bird sanctuary consisting of two large atolls - North and South Atoll. This protected area boasts amazing biodiversity and contains 75 percent of the known coral species and 40 percent of the reef fish species known to science.
21. Tarawa, Kiribati
Tarawa is an atoll and the capital of the Republic of Kiribati, located in the central Pacific Ocean. Home to almost 60,000 people, the atoll boasts a wide reef teeming with fish and a large lagoon spanning more than 500 square kilometers.
20. Tikehau, French Polynesia
Tikehau, located 340 kilometers northeast of Tahiti in the Tuamotu Islands, is an oval-shaped atoll and tourist destination famous for its pink sandy beaches fringed by coconut palms and stunning marine life.
19. Maafushi, Maldives
Maafushi, part of the Kaafu Atoll, is one of the inhabited islands in the Maldives. The atoll was severely damaged by the tsunami in 2004, but quickly recovered. Currently, Maafushi boasts a thriving local economy based on fishing and tourism.
18. St. Francois Atoll, Seychelles
Saint Francois Atoll, consisting of the two islands of Saint Francois and Bijoutier, is an uninhabited atoll in the western Indian Ocean. The atoll is a habitat for numerous species of birds, including the common tern, the curlew, the turnstone, the tule and so on.
17. Rangiroa, French Polynesia
, one of the largest atolls in the world, consists of approximately 415 tiny islands and shoals, covering a total area of about 170 square kilometers. In the center of the atoll, there is a large lagoon where black pearl oysters are bred.
16. Palmyra Atoll, Equatorial North Pacific Ocean
Palmyra Atoll, located between Hawaii and American Samoa, is an unoccupied atoll consisting of an extensive reef, lagoons and 50 islets. The atoll is officially administered by the United States and is covered with coconut palms, scevola and pisonia trees.
15. Nukuoro, Federated States of Micronesia
Surrounding a lagoon 6 kilometers in diameter, Nukuoro is a remote atoll home to almost 400 people. There is no tourism on the island, except for occasional visits from passing sailing yachts.
14. Ontog Java Atoll, Solomon Islands
Ontong Java Atoll is sometimes also called Lord Howe Atoll. It is a large shoe-shaped atoll consisting of more than 120 low-lying islets. There are two large villages on the atoll - Luaniua and Pelau - where most of the atoll's population lives.
13. Nukumanu, Papua New Guinea
Nukumanu is a medium-sized atoll in Papua New Guinea, located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, 4 degrees south of the equator. The atoll consists of 20 sandy islets surrounding a large lagoon.
12. Lihou Reef, Coral Sea Islands Territory
Lihou Reef, located in the Coral Sea, northeast of Queensland, Australia, is the second largest atoll in the world in terms of total area. The atoll, which surrounds a lagoon that extends over an area of more than 2,500 square kilometers, is an important nesting site for many species of birds.
11. Cayo Bolivar, Colombia
Cayo Bolivar, located 25 kilometers from San Andrés, a Colombian coral island in the Caribbean Sea, is an uninhabited atoll consisting of two islands - East Cay and Western Cay. Its diversity of marine life and beautiful beaches have made it a popular destination for tourist excursions.
10. Aldabra, Seychelles
Aldabra, uninhabited and extremely isolated, is a large atoll virtually untouched by man. Known as one of the "crown jewels" of the Indian Ocean, it has a distinctive island fauna, including the largest population of giant tortoises in the world.
9. Ari Atoll, Maldives
Ari Atoll is a natural atoll located in the Maldives. This is one of the largest atolls in the world and is located in the western part of the archipelago. There are more than 20 islands scattered here, most of which have been developed for tourist resorts, and each of them is autonomous and has places for living and recreation.
8. Bangaram Atoll, India
Bangaram Atoll, located in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, India, is a popular tourist destination offering numerous recreational activities including scuba diving and snorkeling and deep sea fishing. It has white sandy beaches, a calm lagoon and stunning coral reefs.
7. Chagos Islands, British Indian Ocean Territory
The Chagos Islands are a group of seven consisting of more than 60 individual tropical islands in the Indian Ocean. Remarkable for their stunning biodiversity, these reefs are home to at least 371 species of coral, 784 species of fish and 2 species of turtles.
6. Pearl and Hermes Atoll, Hawaii
Pearl and Hermes Atoll, part of the Northwestern Islands of the Hawaiian archipelago, is a small Hawaiian atoll named after two British whaling ships that were wrecked on the atoll in 1822. The atoll was once a center for the pearl trade and is now a bird sanctuary.
5. Osprey Reef, Coral Sea Islands Territory
Osprey Reef, part of the northwestern group of islands in the Coral Sea, is an oval-shaped submerged atoll. The waters surrounding this atoll are 2 kilometers deep and the slopes of its reef are home to a diverse range of marine fauna, including the rare dwarf Nautilus pompilius.
4. Diego Garcia Atoll, British Indian Ocean Territory
Diego Garcia Atoll, located in the central Indian Ocean, just 7 degrees south of the equator, was settled by the French in the 1790s and was later ceded to the British Crown. It has the largest continuous rim of land of any atoll in the world.
3. Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands
Kwajalein, part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, is one of the largest atolls in the world, judging by the area of water it borders. It consists of 97 islands and islets, and its land area is 16 square kilometers. It surrounds a giant lagoon with an area of 2,174 square kilometers.
2. Kure Atoll, Hawaii
Kure Atoll, politically part of Hawaii, is the northernmost atoll in the world. This atoll is sometimes also called Ocean Island. It provides habitat for hundreds of thousands of seabirds and numerous marine animals, including the monk seal.
1. Ducie Island, Pitcairn Islands
Ducie Island, located in the South Pacific Ocean, is a small uninhabited atoll in the Pitcairn Islands. Despite its sparse vegetation, the atoll is habitat for a number of bird species. More than 90 percent of the world's Typhoon Murphy population nests on Ducie.
An atoll is a coral island that looks like a complete or partial ring. In other words, the atolls are made up of turquoise lagoons, colorful reefs that seamlessly merge with marine life and are reminiscent of the wild and colorful life of the hero of Daniel Defoe's novel, Robinson Crusoe. I invite you to admire the most beautiful atolls in the world from different parts of our planet. See picturesque photographs, learn interesting facts and share your impressions in the comments to this article. Separate stories have already been written about most of the atolls, so follow the links for detailed information.
1. Funafuti.
Tuvalu is an island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, on the route between Hawaii and Australia. It is the second least populated sovereign state in the world (the Vatican, with a smaller number of inhabitants, rightfully took the lead). Due to the remoteness of the country, very few tourists visit it.
2. Bikini Atoll.
3. Tubbataha Reef.
Tubbataha Reef is one of the best scuba diving spots in the world. Located in the Philippines, the reef consists of two atolls: North and South, which are separated by an 8-kilometer wide channel. Coral reefs are not only a great place for diving, they are also an excellent habitat for many colonies of exotic fish.
4. The Great Blue Hole.
Lighthouse Reef is probably the most popular of the world's atolls, and this is due to big blue hole, which is located in the very center of the atoll. This is a true unexplored paradise for divers who flock here from all over the world. The deeper one dives into the Blue Hole, the clearer the water and the more spectacular the scenery.
5. Tikehau.
Tikehau is part of the chain Tuamotu atolls, covering an area in the Pacific Ocean similar in size to Western Europe. This place attracts tourists with its white and pink sand islands, inside of which turquoise lagoons serve as shelters for all kinds of exotic fish. Jacques Cousteau's research team, which visited these places, came to the conclusion that this place has the largest concentration of fish in French Polynesia.
6. Caroline Island.
Europeans were the first to see the island in 1606. Careline is now part of the Republic of Kiribati. Despite more than 300 years of human activity on this island, it is one of the world's most pristine tropical islands and the world's most pristine atoll. Caroline Island and its neighbor Flint Island are home to the world's largest crab populations. The islands are located at an altitude of 6 meters above sea level, which means they are in danger of disappearing due to constantly rising sea levels. According to scientists, the islands could be completely submerged by 2025.
7. Aitutaki Atoll.
Aitutaki consists of several coral and volcanic islands that have a triangular shaped lagoon. A classic palm island, turquoise shallow waters, corals, exotic fish - this is all you will find when you get to Aitutaki. The most popular is Tapuaetai, a small island in the southeast of the lagoon.
8. Aldabra.
Aldabra is one of the Outer Islands of the Seychelles, over 1,100 kilometers (700 miles) from Mahe, the largest island in the Seychelles. It is the second largest atoll in the world after Kiritimati. Due to the difficulty of access to Aldabra Atoll, it is virtually untouched by humans. About 152,000 giant tortoises live on its territory.
9. Rangiroa.
Rangiroa is one of the largest atolls in the world and the largest atoll in the Tuamotu archipelago. The site is ideal for diving due to its deep lagoon filled with an abundance of marine life. Sharks, sea turtles and dolphins can also be seen here.
10. Atolls of the Maldives.
Tiny country on Maldives, in the middle of the Indian Ocean, consists of about 1,200 tiny coral islands grouped into 26 atolls. The main activity for tourists here is exploring the enticing depths, which is accessible thanks to excellent visibility. Exploring the depths involves exploring wrecks, which can be found with the help of guides.
