archipelago
English meaning: Archipelago
English Definition
(English)Archipelagos form through various geological processes — volcanic activity (Hawaii), tectonic rifting (Azores), or submergence of continental land (British Isles). Archipelagic states face distinctive challenges: maritime boundary delimitation, exclusive economic zone management, connecting dispersed populations, and protecting marine biodiversity. Indonesia's 'archipelagic state' concept (Wawasan Nusantara) shaped international maritime law.
English Definition
A chain, cluster, or collection of islands. The world's largest archipelagic nations include Indonesia (17,000+ islands), the Philippines (7,100+ islands), and Japan (6,800+ islands). Archipelagic geography creates unique challenges for governance, infrastructure, and national integration.
Example
“Indonesia's archipelagic geography — 17,000+ islands across 5,000 km of ocean — makes building national unity, infrastructure, and governance one of the world's most complex state-building challenges.”
In English: “Indonesia's archipelago of 17,000 islands makes it one of the most geographically complex nations to govern.”
Synonyms
- island chain
- island group
Antonyms / Opposites
- continent
- mainland
Literary Heritage
“This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle, this earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, this other Eden, demi-paradise.”
“This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle, this earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, this other Eden, demi-paradise.”
Images
CC-licensed · free to useVideo
Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B