Discover the 10 countries with the most islands in the world

Island hopping has become a popular activity for many travelers looking to explore exotic locations with breathtaking scenery.

Below, Express.uk lists the 10 countries with the most islands in the world .

Sweden (267,570)

Swedes spend much of their summers in holiday homes on islands. PHOTO: Google Maps Claudia Romberg

Sweden boasts several archipelagos and thousands of beautiful, sprawling islands. The Swedish archipelago is characterized by pristine natural landscapes and sparsely populated islands.

Norway (239,057)

The country has one of the longest and most rugged coastlines in the world, dotted with numerous islands.

Some of them are only accessible by plane or supply ship, others have regular ferry service, and many islands are connected to the mainland by bridges or tunnels.

Finland (178,947)

View of an island in Finland. PHOTO: GETTY

Finland has one of the world's largest archipelagos, comprising more than 170,000 offshore islands.

Many are easily accessible by car, bike or cruise ship and offer a combination of peace and quiet with exciting culinary experiences and cultural events.

Canada (52,455)

Canada is home to thousands of islands, many of which are wonderful places to visit with stunning landscapes.

Topping the list is Cape Breton Island on the Atlantic coast. Its dramatic coastline and mountainous highland backdrop, scenic drives and delicious seafood make it a must-see destination for any traveler.

United States (18,617)

According to readers of Condé Nast's Traveler, the most popular island with tourists is Hilton Head Island.

The island is part of the Lowcountry region of the state of South Carolina, known for its Atlantic beaches and golf courses.

Indonesia (17,504)

Seated Buddha statue in the Stupa at Candi Borobudur. PHOTO: GETTY

Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago forming a single country.

Indonesia consists of five main islands and about 30 smaller archipelagos, with about 6,000 inhabited islands. The five main islands are Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Papua.

Japan (14,125)

Japan is a long archipelago, with Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu making up the four main islands, where most of the major cities can be found.

The smaller islands have a rustic charm, while some of the southern islands are popular beach resorts. Most of the smaller islands can only be reached by plane or ferry.

Australia (8,222)

Australia's famous Great Barrier Reef. PHOTO: AP

Australia has 8,222 islands within its maritime borders. One of the most captivating is the Whitsundays, a group of 74 stunning islands scattered like jewels in the Coral Sea off the east coast of Queensland.

Discovered by Captain James Cook when he sailed past in 1770, it boasts white-sand beaches, national parks and some of the best sailing in the Southern Hemisphere.

Philippines (7,641)

Located in the Pacific Ocean near the equator, the Republic of the Philippines consists of approximately 7,641 islands - about 2,000 of which are inhabited - forming an archipelago.

The country can be divided into three main regions: Luzon (the largest, northernmost island, which includes Manila); a group of islands known as the Visayas (which includes the main islands of Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Samar, and Masbate); and Mindanao, the second largest island in the Philippines, located at the southernmost tip of the archipelago.

Chile (5,000)

The wooden church of Santa María de Loreto on the island of Chiloé. PHOTO: GETTY

Perhaps the most beautiful island to visit in the country is Chiloé Island, located off the southern coast of Chile.

It has a pastoral landscape and is famous for its iconic wooden churches built by Jesuit missionaries in the 17th and 18th centuries, such as the Chonchi church.

The northwest coast, where blue whales congregate, also has three small islands, the Islotes de Puñihuil, a Natural Heritage Site, a breeding ground for Magellanic and Humboldt penguins.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/kham-pha-10-quoc-gia-co-nhieu-dao-nhat-the-gioi-185250509152712573.htm