Recursive islands and lakes

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Short description: Island or lake that is itself within an island or lake

A recursive island or lake, also known as a nested island or lake, is an island that lies inside a lake, or vice versa.[1] For the purposes of defining recursion, small continental land masses such as Madagascar and New Zealand count as islands, while large continental land masses such as Australia do not. Islands found within lakes in these countries are often recursive islands because the lake itself is located on an island. The recursion is sometimes expressed as the order of the island, so the many islands of the earth's global ocean are zero order islands.[2]

Recursive islands

Islands in lakes

Main article: Earth:Lake island
Idjwi, in the central-southern region of Lake Kivu in South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo[3]
Island In lake Country Area
(km2) 		Coordinates Notes
Manitoulin Island Lake Michigan–Huron Canada 2,766 [ ⚑ ] 45°39′8″N 82°06′32″W / 45.65222°N 82.10889°W / 45.65222; -82.10889 Largest lake island in the world[1][4]
René-Levasseur Island Manicouagan Reservoir Canada 2,020 [ ⚑ ] 51°23′50″N 68°41′30″W / 51.39722°N 68.69167°W / 51.39722; -68.69167 The island is artificial as the lake it is in was made by flooding a smaller existing lake due to the creation of the Daniel-Johnson dam.[5]
Soisalo spread across several lakes Finland 1,638 [ ⚑ ] 62°28′58″N 28°7′53″E / 62.48278°N 28.13139°E / 62.48278; 28.13139 The largest island in continental Finland. It has shores to four different lakes (Kallavesi, Unnukka, Suvasvesi and Kermajärvi), but they are not all at the same level.
Sääminginsalo Saimaa Finland 1,090 [ ⚑ ] 61°58′58″N 29°4′53″E / 61.98278°N 29.08139°E / 61.98278; 29.08139 Separated from one side by an artificial canal (Raikuu canal).
Olkhon Island Lake Baikal Russia 730 [ ⚑ ] 53°9′24″N 107°23′1″E / 53.15667°N 107.38361°E / 53.15667; 107.38361
Isle Royale Lake Superior United States 535 [ ⚑ ] 48°0′0″N 88°55′0″W / 48°N 88.916667°W / 48; -88.916667
Ukerewe Island Lake Victoria Tanzania 530 [ ⚑ ] 2°1′46″S 33°0′36″E / 2.02944°S 33.01°E / -2.02944; 33.01
St. Joseph Island Lake Michigan–Huron Canada 365 [ ⚑ ] 46°13′11″N 83°56′47″W / 46.21972°N 83.94639°W / 46.21972; -83.94639
Drummond Island Lake Michigan–Huron United States 347 [ ⚑ ] 46°0′0″N 83°40′0″W / 46°N 83.666667°W / 46; -83.666667
Idjwi Lake Kivu DR Congo 340 [ ⚑ ] 2°9′58″S 29°3′21″E / 2.16611°S 29.05583°E / -2.16611; 29.05583
Kotasaari Kallavesi Finland 285 [ ⚑ ] 62°52′52″N 28°0′23″E / 62.88111°N 28.00639°E / 62.88111; 28.00639 Separated from one side by an artificial canal (Summa canal).
Ometepe Lake Nicaragua Nicaragua 276 [ ⚑ ] 11°30′0″N 85°35′0″W / 11.5°N 85.583333°W / 11.5; -85.583333 Made of two conjoined volcanic islands
Zapatera Lake Nicaragua Nicaragua 54 [ ⚑ ] 11°43′48″N 85°49′12″W / 11.73°N 85.82°W / 11.73; -85.82
Big Island Lake of the Woods Canada ~200 [ ⚑ ] 61°07′45″N 116°45′24″W / 61.12917°N 116.75667°W / 61.12917; -116.75667
Mercer Island Lake Washington United States 33.4[6] [ ⚑ ] 47°34′39″N 122°12′43.2″W / 47.5775°N 122.212°W / 47.5775; -122.212 Crossed by the Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge, the second longest floating bridge in the world.
Duck Island Green Lake United States 2.4 [ ⚑ ] 47°40′45.9804″N 122°20′28.9098″W / 47.679439°N 122.341363833°W / 47.679439; -122.341363833
Wizard Island Crater Lake United States 1.3 [ ⚑ ] 42°56′19″N 122°08′44″W / 42.93861°N 122.14556°W / 42.93861; -122.14556 Crater Lake itself is a caldera formed by the eruption of Mount Mazama; a series of smaller eruptions later formed cinder cones on the caldera floor, of which Wizard Island is the highest, and the only one now visible above the lake's surface.[7]
— Orba Co China [ ⚑ ] 34°32′44″N 81°2′21″E / 34.54556°N 81.03917°E / 34.54556; 81.03917 Highest-elevation islands in the world. There are three islands of quite similar size.
Silcox Island American Lake United States 9.1 47°07′44″N 122°33′53″W There are residents that live on this island, there is no ferry service to them.
Preble Island Great Slave Lake Canada 1.61 A large recursive island with zero people living on it.

Islands in lakes on islands

Samosir is in the middle of Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Indonesia[8]

These are first order islands.

There are nearly 1,000 islands in lakes on islands in Finland alone.[9]

Name In lake On island Country Area
(km2) 		Coordinates Notes
Samosir Lake Toba Sumatra Indonesia 630 [ ⚑ ] 2°35′0″N 98°49′0″E / 2.583333°N 98.816667°E / 2.583333; 98.816667 Largest island in a lake on an island.[1] Manmade from digging canal [note 1]
Gatter Island Lake Hazen Ellesmere Island Canada 0.2 [ ⚑ ] 81°55′5″N 69°05′35″W / 81.91806°N 69.09306°W / 81.91806; -69.09306
Glover Island Grand Lake Newfoundland Canada 178 [ ⚑ ] 48°46′52″N 57°41′54″W / 48.78111°N 57.69833°W / 48.78111; -57.69833 Largest naturally occurring island in a lake on an island.
Motutaiko Island Lake Taupō North Island New Zealand 0.11 [ ⚑ ] 38°51′17″S 175°56′36″E / 38.85472°S 175.94333°E / -38.85472; 175.94333
Goodin Island Lake Campbell Fidalgo Island United States 0.09 [ ⚑ ] 48°26′18.33″N 122°37′0.73″W / 48.438425°N 122.6168694°W / 48.438425; -122.6168694
Mokoia Island Lake Rotorua North Island New Zealand 1.35 [ ⚑ ] 38°04′50″S 176°17′05″E / 38.08056°S 176.28472°E / -38.08056; 176.28472
Rahui Island Lake Waikareiti North Island New Zealand [ ⚑ ] 38°42′45″S 177°10′30″E / 38.7125°S 177.175°E / -38.7125; 177.175 Largest of several islets in Lake Waikareiti
Mou Waho Lake Wanaka South Island New Zealand 1.2 [ ⚑ ] 44°33′10″S 169°04′50″E / 44.55278°S 169.08056°E / -44.55278; 169.08056 Largest of several islets in Lake Wanaka, including Stevensons Island
Pigeon Island Lake Wakatipu South Island New Zealand 1.7 [ ⚑ ] 44°55′30″S 168°23′50″E / 44.925°S 168.39722°E / -44.925; 168.39722 Largest of several islets in Lake Wakatipu, including Pig Island / Mātau and Hidden Island
Pomona Island Lake Manapouri South Island New Zealand 2.6 [ ⚑ ] 45°30′30″S 167°28′30″E / 45.50833°S 167.475°E / -45.50833; 167.475 Largest of several islets in Lake Manapouri; largest lake island in New Zealand
Motmot Island Lake Wisdom Long Island Papua New Guinea 0.04 [ ⚑ ] 5°21′8″S 147°7′2″E / 5.35222°S 147.11722°E / -5.35222; 147.11722
— West Lake Brownsea Island United Kingdom 0.0008 [ ⚑ ] 50°41′34″N 1°58′21″W / 50.69278°N 1.9725°W / 50.69278; -1.9725
— — Great Britain United Kingdom 0.0000039576 [ ⚑ ] 51°53′46″N 0°54′35″E / 51.896052°N 0.909800°E / 51.896052; 0.909800 On south bank of River Colne. Exists on maps[11] surrounded a lake on all sides with only a makeshift wooden bridge to access the island.
Belle Isle Windermere Great Britain United Kingdom 0.17 [ ⚑ ] 54°21′43″N 2°56′4″W / 54.36194°N 2.93444°W / 54.36194; -2.93444
Storgrynnan Vandöfjärden Fasta Åland Finland 0.12 [ ⚑ ] 60°17′46″N 19°55′12″E / 60.29611°N 19.92°E / 60.29611; 19.92
— Senanayaka Samudra Sri Lanka Sri Lanka 0.02 [ ⚑ ] 7°12′0″N 81°31′10″E / 7.2°N 81.51944°E / 7.2; 81.51944
Derrywarragh Island Lough Neagh Ireland United Kingdom 0.56 [ ⚑ ] 54°30′57″N 6°34′11″W / 54.51583°N 6.56972°W / 54.51583; -6.56972
Boa Island Lower Lough Erne Ireland United Kingdom 5.3 [ ⚑ ] 54°31′27″N 7°47′57″W / 54.5241°N 7.79921°W / 54.5241; -7.79921[12]
— Loch Finlaggan Islay United Kingdom 0.0003 [ ⚑ ] 55°49′41.76″N 6°10′27″W / 55.8282667°N 6.17417°W / 55.8282667; -6.17417
— 0.0008 [ ⚑ ] 55°50′3.86″N 6°10′24.60″W / 55.8344056°N 6.1735°W / 55.8344056; -6.1735
Council Isle 0.01 [ ⚑ ] 55°50′7.66″N 6°10′20.78″W / 55.8354611°N 6.1724389°W / 55.8354611; -6.1724389
Sveta Marija Veliko jezero Mljet Croatia 0.017 [ ⚑ ] 42°46′8″N 17°21′37″E / 42.76889°N 17.36028°E / 42.76889; 17.36028
Chikubu Island Lake Biwa Honshu Japan 0.14 [ ⚑ ] 35°25′20″N 136°8′37″E / 35.42222°N 136.14361°E / 35.42222; 136.14361
Takeshima Lake Biwa Honshu Japan 0.6 [ ⚑ ] 35°17′47″N 136°10′41″E / 35.29639°N 136.17806°E / 35.29639; 136.17806
Okishima Lake Biwa Honshu Japan 1.51 [ ⚑ ] 35°12′28″N 136°3′58″E / 35.20778°N 136.06611°E / 35.20778; 136.06611 Largest of the three islands located within Lake Biwa, which is Japan's largest lake.
Nakajima (Lake Kussharo) Lake Kussharo Hokkaido Japan 5.81 [ ⚑ ] 43°37′56″N 144°18′20″E / 43.63222°N 144.30556°E / 43.63222; 144.30556 Largest recursive island in Japan
Nakajima (Lake Toya) Lake Tōya Hokkaido Japan 4.84 [ ⚑ ] 42°36′07″N 140°51′11″E / 42.60194°N 140.85306°E / 42.60194; 140.85306
Takeshima Lake Biwa Honshu Japan 0.6 [ ⚑ ] 35°17′47″N 136°10′41″E / 35.29639°N 136.17806°E / 35.29639; 136.17806
Okinajima Lake Inawashiro Honshu Japan 0.07 [ ⚑ ] 37°30′33″N 140°02′15″E / 37.50917°N 140.0375°E / 37.50917; 140.0375
Loeha Island Lake Towuti Sulawesi Indonesia 12.5 [ ⚑ ] 2°46′22″S 121°32′51″E / 2.77278°S 121.5475°E / -2.77278; 121.5475
Lalu Island Sun Moon Lake Nantou Taiwan 0.882 [ ⚑ ] 23°51′20″N 120°54′40″E / 23.85556°N 120.91111°E / 23.85556; 120.91111
Yufei Island Qingcao Lake Hsinchu Taiwan 0.00425 [ ⚑ ] 24°46′29″N 120°58′18″E / 24.77472°N 120.97167°E / 24.77472; 120.97167
— Kasegalik Lake Flaherty Island Canada There are several other islands in that lake.
Isla Cabritos Lago Enriquillo Hispaniola Dominican Republic 16.67 [ ⚑ ] 18°29′21″N 71°40′55″W / 18.48917°N 71.68194°W / 18.48917; -71.68194
— — Cat Ba Island Vietnam 0.0005 [ ⚑ ] 20°46′54″N 107°5′30″E / 20.78167°N 107.09167°E / 20.78167; 107.09167 There is a smaller island, to the south of it.
— Blöndulón Iceland Iceland There are nine other islands in this lake, all significantly smaller than this one.

Islands in lakes on islands in lakes

These are second order islands.

Name In lake On island In lake Country Area
(km2) 		Coordinates Notes
Kokkosaari[13] Kokkohauta Sääminginsalo Saimaa Finland 0.88 [ ⚑ ] 61°59′20″N 29°12′55″E / 61.98889°N 29.21528°E / 61.98889; 29.21528 Claimed to be the world's largest island in a lake on an island in a lake. Another island, Suursaari ( [ ⚑ ] 62°5′28″N 28°59′28″E / 62.09111°N 28.99111°E / 62.09111; 28.99111) in Hanhijärvi, is also located in Sääminginsalo, and is about half the size of Kokkosaari. Separated by an artificial canal, Sääminginsalo might not be considered an island.
— Lake Chaunoy (Lac du Chaunoy)[14] René-Levasseur Island Manicouagan Reservoir Canada 0.44 [ ⚑ ] 51°33′5″N 68°49′8″W / 51.55139°N 68.81889°W / 51.55139; -68.81889 René-Levasseur Island is an artificial island, formed when the Manicouagan reservoir was flooded in 1970. There are also more than 10 other smaller islands in Lake Chaunoy, the largest of which is less than a tenth of the size of the one listed here.
Treasure Island Lake Mindemoya Manitoulin Island Lake Michigan–Huron Canada 0.4 [ ⚑ ] 45°45′50″N 82°10′41″W / 45.76389°N 82.17806°W / 45.76389; -82.17806 Largest natural island on a lake on an island on a lake.
Kakawaie Island Lake Kagawong Manitoulin Island Lake Michigan–Huron Canada 0.24 [ ⚑ ] 45°48′45″N 82°18′22″W / 45.8125°N 82.30611°W / 45.8125; -82.30611
Ryan Island[15] Siskiwit Lake Isle Royale Lake Superior United States 0.141 [ ⚑ ] 48°0′36″N 88°46′15″W / 48.01°N 88.77083°W / 48.01; -88.77083 Largest island in the largest lake on the largest island in the largest lake in the world (Lake Superior)
— Second Lake Drummond Island Lake Michigan–Huron United States 0.044 [ ⚑ ] 46°03′2″N 83°35′55″W / 46.05056°N 83.59861°W / 46.05056; -83.59861
—[16] Mackaysee Lake Chambers Island Green Bay, Lake Michigan United States 0.009 [ ⚑ ] 45°11′41″N 87°20′43″W / 45.19472°N 87.34528°W / 45.19472; -87.34528
— Frith Lake Kelvin Island Lake Nipigon Canada 0.0013 [ ⚑ ] 49°52′29″N 88°40′53″W / 49.87472°N 88.68139°W / 49.87472; -88.68139
Piiroonsaari[13] Saravesi Kotasaari Kallavesi Finland 0.22 [ ⚑ ] 62°50′41″N 28°4′36″E / 62.84472°N 28.07667°E / 62.84472; 28.07667 Separated by an artificial canal, Kotasaari might not be considered an island.
Suurisaari[13] Oininki Äitsaari Saimaa Finland 0.14 [ ⚑ ] 61°18′57″N 28°38′1″E / 61.31583°N 28.63361°E / 61.31583; 28.63361|
Ukonsaari[13] Kulkemus Partalansaari Pihlajavesi (Saimaa) Finland 0.12 [ ⚑ ] 61°40′9″N 28°23′43″E / 61.66917°N 28.39528°E / 61.66917; 28.39528
— Lake Cancy René-Levasseur Island Manicouagan Reservoir Canada 0.011 [ ⚑ ] 51°33′21″N 68°50′52″W / 51.55583°N 68.84778°W / 51.55583; -68.84778
— Lac des Pigamons Îlots Walcott Lake Mistassini Canada 0.0002 [ ⚑ ] 51°07′18″N 73°21′34″W / 51.12167°N 73.35944°W / 51.12167; -73.35944
— — Wilson Island Great Slave Lake Canada 0.011 [ ⚑ ] 61°50′7″N 112°46′57″W / 61.83528°N 112.7825°W / 61.83528; -112.7825
Raaskasaari Kylliönjärvi Viljakansaari Pihlajavesi (Saimaa) Finland 0.05 [ ⚑ ] 61°33′53″N 28°22′56″E / 61.56472°N 28.38222°E / 61.56472; 28.38222
— — Kållandsö Vänern Sweden 0.0027 [ ⚑ ] 58°41′52″N 13°11′18″E / 58.69778°N 13.18833°E / 58.69778; 13.18833 There is a second island in the lake, almost the exact same size
Ösjöholmen Ösjön Ammerön Revsundssjön Sweden 0.008 [ ⚑ ] 62°51′57″N 15°10′23″E / 62.86583°N 15.17306°E / 62.86583; 15.17306
— — Tynnelsö Mälaren Sweden 0.0005 [ ⚑ ] 59°25′1″N 17°04′44″E / 59.41694°N 17.07889°E / 59.41694; 17.07889
— — — Lake Kovdozero Russia 0.0162 [ ⚑ ] 66°45′23″N 31°58′37″E / 66.75639°N 31.97694°E / 66.75639; 31.97694
— — Shaganappie Island Wollaston Lake Canada 0.0066 [ ⚑ ] 58°22′22″N 102°57′51″W / 58.37278°N 102.96417°W / 58.37278; -102.96417
— Calder Lake Malcolm Island Reindeer Lake Canada 0.0154 [ ⚑ ] 56°58′24″N 102°8′1″W / 56.97333°N 102.13361°W / 56.97333; -102.13361
— — Ispatinow Island Cree Lake Canada 0.00019 [ ⚑ ] 57°27′40″N 106°40′47″W / 57.46111°N 106.67972°W / 57.46111; -106.67972
— — Blanchet Island Great Slave Lake Canada 0.01 [ ⚑ ] 61°59′40″N 112°30′56″W / 61.99444°N 112.51556°W / 61.99444; -112.51556 Several small islands in this lake
— Vanooyen Lake Shakespeare Island Lake Nipigon Canada 0.0182 [ ⚑ ] 49°39′36″N 88°24′10″W / 49.66°N 88.40278°W / 49.66; -88.40278 There is a second, smaller island in this lake.
— Margaret Lake Elk Island God's Lake Canada 0.00095 [ ⚑ ] 54°39′32″N 94°10′44″W / 54.65889°N 94.17889°W / 54.65889; -94.17889 Several small islands in this lake
– Margaret Lake Elk Island God's Lake Canada ~0.0006 [ ⚑ ] 54°39′29″N 94°10′37″W / 54.65806°N 94.17694°W / 54.65806; -94.17694 Several small islands in this lake
– Margaret Lake Elk Island God's Lake Canada ~0.0002 [ ⚑ ] 54°39′29″N 94°10′34″W / 54.65806°N 94.17611°W / 54.65806; -94.17611 Several small islands in this lake
– Margaret Lake Elk Island God's Lake Canada ~0.00015 [ ⚑ ] 54°39′29″N 94°10′33″W / 54.65806°N 94.17583°W / 54.65806; -94.17583 Several small islands in this lake
– Margaret Lake Elk Island God's Lake Canada ~0.00002–5 [ ⚑ ] 54°39′29″N 94°10′39″W / 54.65806°N 94.1775°W / 54.65806; -94.1775 Several small islands in this lake
– Margaret Lake Elk Island God's Lake Canada ~0.00004–10 [ ⚑ ] 54°39′26″N 94°10′44″W / 54.65722°N 94.17889°W / 54.65722; -94.17889 Several small islands in this lake
– Margaret Lake Elk Island God's Lake Canada ~0.000015-50 [ ⚑ ] 54°39′27″N 94°10′31″W / 54.6575°N 94.17528°W / 54.6575; -94.17528 Several small islands in this lake
– Margaret Lake Elk Island God's Lake Canada ~0.000005-20 [ ⚑ ] 54°39′32″N 94°10′25″W / 54.65889°N 94.17361°W / 54.65889; -94.17361 Several small islands in this lake
– Margaret Lake Elk Island God's Lake Canada ~0.000005–20 [ ⚑ ] 54°39′36″N 94°10′36″W / 54.66°N 94.17667°W / 54.66; -94.17667 Several small islands in this lake
– Margaret Lake Elk Island God's Lake Canada ~0.000005-20 [ ⚑ ] 54°39′43″N 94°11′03″W / 54.66194°N 94.18417°W / 54.66194; -94.18417 Several small islands in this lake
– Margaret Lake Elk Island God's Lake Canada ~0.000005–20 [ ⚑ ] 54°39′42″N 94°11′05″W / 54.66167°N 94.18472°W / 54.66167; -94.18472 Several small islands in this lake
– Margaret Lake Elk Island God's Lake Canada ~0.000001–5 [ ⚑ ] 54°39′43″N 94°10′57″W / 54.66194°N 94.1825°W / 54.66194; -94.1825 Several small islands in this lake
— — Ile Guillaume Couture Lac Mistassini Canada 0.0017 [ ⚑ ] 50°55′1″N 73°37′32″W / 50.91694°N 73.62556°W / 50.91694; -73.62556
— — Ile Tchapahipane Lac Mistassini Canada 0.00125 [ ⚑ ] 51°4′34″N 73°25′25″W / 51.07611°N 73.42361°W / 51.07611; -73.42361
— — Pie Island Lac Mistassini Canada 0.0086 [ ⚑ ] 48°13′58″N 89°3′26″W / 48.23278°N 89.05722°W / 48.23278; -89.05722 Two islands of similar size are in this lake
— Muir Lake St Ignace Island Lake Superior Canada 0.00325 [ ⚑ ] 48°48′28″N 88°2′3″W / 48.80778°N 88.03417°W / 48.80778; -88.03417
— Antler Lake St Ignace Island Lake Superior Canada 0.0041 [ ⚑ ] 48°48′59″N 88°0′5″W / 48.81639°N 88.00139°W / 48.81639; -88.00139 Two islands of similar size are in this lake
— Williamson Lake St Ignace Island Lake Superior Canada 0.00425 [ ⚑ ] 48°48′4″N 88°1′39″W / 48.80111°N 88.0275°W / 48.80111; -88.0275
— Molinski Lake Simpson Island Lake Superior Canada 0.01 [ ⚑ ] 48°49′13″N 87°42′51″W / 48.82028°N 87.71417°W / 48.82028; -87.71417
— Caribou Lake Simpson Island Lake Superior Canada 0.00465 [ ⚑ ] 48°45′51″N 87°39′33″W / 48.76417°N 87.65917°W / 48.76417; -87.65917
— Veronica Lake Slate Islands Lake Superior Canada 0.0065 [ ⚑ ] 48°39′28″N 86°59′23″W / 48.65778°N 86.98972°W / 48.65778; -86.98972
— Michi Lake Michipicoten Island Lake Superior Canada 0.0037 [ ⚑ ] 47°44′28″N 85°54′29″W / 47.74111°N 85.90806°W / 47.74111; -85.90806 There are three islands in total in this lake
— Channel Lake Michipicoten Island Lake Superior Canada 0.0084 [ ⚑ ] 47°43′50″N 85°48′0″W / 47.73056°N 85.8°W / 47.73056; -85.8 A second, smaller island is immediately to the west of this one.
— — — Knielinger See Germany 0.0003 [ ⚑ ] 49°01′52.5″N 8°18′34.3″E / 49.03125°N 8.309528°E / 49.03125; 8.309528
— — Wizard Island Crater Lake United States
— Lac Civic Île Bronson Réservoir Cabonga Canada There are other islands in lakes on islands in Cabonga.
– – – Dubawnt Lake Canada [ ⚑ ] 63°15′36″N 101°08′08″W / 63.26°N 101.13556°W / 63.26; -101.13556 Viewable on Google Earth only. As of 10 July 2024 (according to Google Earth data), the island did not collide with its island.
– – Xishan Island Lake Tai China [ ⚑ ] 31°8′31.25″N 120°20′30.17″E / 31.1420139°N 120.3417139°E / 31.1420139; 120.3417139 Two small islands. The unnamed lake and other two surrounding lakes are collectively called 无机坑 (wújīkēng), and is the site of a former quarry.

Islands in lakes on islands in lakes on islands

Nameless isle within Victoria Island in Nunavut Territory, Canada[17]

These are third order islands.[2]

Name In lake On island In lake On island Country Area
(m2) 		Coordinates Notes
— — — Nettilling Lake Baffin Island Canada 40,000 [ ⚑ ] 66°41′15″N 70°28′48″W / 66.6875°N 70.48°W / 66.6875; -70.48 There are more islands in lakes on the "level 2" island in Nettling Lake.
— — — — Victoria Island Canada 16,000 [ ⚑ ] 69°47′32″N 108°14′26″W / 69.79222°N 108.24056°W / 69.79222; -108.24056 Sometimes unofficially referred to as "Inception Island", as it is a third-order island within an island.[18]
— Aek Natonang (locally Sidihoni Lake[19]) Samosir Lake Toba Sumatra Indonesia 13,125 [ ⚑ ] 2°33′52″N 98°53′0″E / 2.56444°N 98.883333°E / 2.56444; 98.883333 Two islands, the largest of which is 175 m by 75 m.
— — — — King William Island Canada 12,000 [ ⚑ ] 69°27′39″N 97°35′43″W / 69.46083°N 97.59528°W / 69.46083; -97.59528 One circular island, which is around 120m in diameter
— — Glover Island Grand Lake Newfoundland Canada 7,500 [ ⚑ ] 48°47′48″N 57°39′28″W / 48.79667°N 57.65778°W / 48.79667; -57.65778 There are several (at least seven) other, even smaller, islets in the lake
— — — — Baffin Island Canada 3,000 [ ⚑ ] 64°47′32″N 75°25′11″W / 64.79222°N 75.41972°W / 64.79222; -75.41972 One circular island, which is around 60m in diameter
— — Glover Island Grand Lake Newfoundland Canada 2,300 [ ⚑ ] 48°43′8″N 57°46′23″W / 48.71889°N 57.77306°W / 48.71889; -57.77306 In a lake 11 km south west to the lake that contains the larger island. There are no other island in this island's lake
— — — Meelpaeg Reservoir Newfoundland Canada 100 [ ⚑ ] 48°18′44″N 56°30′48″W / 48.31222°N 56.51333°W / 48.31222; -56.51333 There are 3 other smaller islands in the same lake.
— Arethusa Pool Mou Waho Lake Wānaka South Island New Zealand 225 [ ⚑ ] 44°33′15″S 169°05′3″E / 44.55417°S 169.08417°E / -44.55417; 169.08417 There are two islands in this lake, both less than 25 m across.
— — Eilean Sùbhainn Loch Maree Great Britain United Kingdom 225 [ ⚑ ] 57°41′24″N 5°29′9″W / 57.69°N 5.48583°W / 57.69; -5.48583 Two islets, each of which is 15m by 15m
— — — Kooryet Lake Banks Island (British Columbia) Canada ~100 [ ⚑ ] 53°21′7″N 129°59′30″W / 53.35194°N 129.99167°W / 53.35194; -129.99167 A number of small islets, the largest of which is only 10m across
— — Samosir Lake Toba Sumatra Indonesia 400 [ ⚑ ] 2°38′11″N 98°50′14″E / 2.63639°N 98.83722°E / 2.63639; 98.83722
— — Ostrov Litvinova Ozero Nevskoye Sakhalin Russia 50 [ ⚑ ] 49°19′17″N 143°37′30″E / 49.32139°N 143.625°E / 49.32139; 143.625 There is (at least) one smaller island in the same lake
— — — Jubilee Lake Newfoundland Canada 20 [ ⚑ ] 48°3′50″N 55°10′24″W / 48.06389°N 55.17333°W / 48.06389; -55.17333 Several small islets, the largest of which is about 5 m across
— — Cayo pajaro Laguna de Leche Cuba Cuba 832 [ ⚑ ] 22°13′31″N 78°40′2″W / 22.22528°N 78.66722°W / 22.22528; -78.66722 There are several other islets in the lake, all about half the area of the specified islet.
Vulcan Point[20][21] Main Crater Lake Volcano Island[22] Lake Taal Luzon Philippines 1.2 [ ⚑ ] 14°00′35″N 120°59′54″E / 14.00972°N 120.99833°E / 14.00972; 120.99833
— — — Hatchet Lake Adak Island United States [ ⚑ ] 51°43′49.1″N 176°45′31.2″W / 51.730306°N 176.758667°W / 51.730306; -176.758667
— — — — Victoria Island Canada 944 [ ⚑ ] 71°42′16.8″N 115°25′41.4″W / 71.704667°N 115.428167°W / 71.704667; -115.428167

Islands in lakes on islands in lakes on islands in lakes

This is a fourth order island.

Name In lake On island In lake On island In lake Country Size (km2) Coordinates Notes
— — — — — Lake Yathkyed Canada — [ ⚑ ] 62°39′05″N 97°47′15″W / 62.65139°N 97.7875°W / 62.65139; -97.7875 [23][24]

Recursive lakes

Lakes on islands

Lake Alaotra region, Madagascar
Name On island Country Size (km2) Coordinates Notes
Nettilling Lake Baffin Island Canada 5,542 66°29′N 70°20′W
Lake Alaotra Madagascar Madagascar 900 17.5°S 48.5°E
Laguna de Leche Cuba Cuba 67.2 [ ⚑ ] 22°12′33″N 78°37′17″W / 22.20917°N 78.62139°W / 22.20917; -78.62139
Lough Neagh Island of Ireland Northern Ireland/United Kingdom 392 [ ⚑ ] 54°37′06″N 6°23′43″W / 54.61833°N 6.39528°W / 54.61833; -6.39528
Lough Corrib Island of Ireland Republic of Ireland 176 53°26′N 9°14′W
Loch Lomond Great Britain Scotland/United Kingdom 71 56°05′N 4°34′W
Lake Kawaguchi Honshu Japan 6.13 [ ⚑ ] 35°30′56″N 138°45′36″E / 35.51556°N 138.76°E / 35.51556; 138.76 The largest among the Fuji Five Lakes
Þingvallavatn Iceland Iceland 84 64°11′N 21°09′W
Lake Taupō North Island New Zealand 616 [ ⚑ ] 38°48′25″S 175°54′28″E / 38.80694°S 175.90778°E / -38.80694; 175.90778
Lake Wakatipu South Island New Zealand 289 [ ⚑ ] 45°03′S 168°30′E / 45.05°S 168.5°E / -45.05; 168.5
Lake Biwa Honshu Japan 670 35°20′N 136°10′E Largest lake in Japan
Lake Toba Sumatra Indonesia 1130 [ ⚑ ] 2°40′48″N 98°52′48″W / 2.68°N 98.88°W / 2.68; -98.88
Lake Ranau Sumatra Indonesia 126 [ ⚑ ] 4°51′45″S 103°55′50″E / 4.8625°S 103.93056°E / -4.8625; 103.93056
Lake Singkarak Sumatra Indonesia 108 [ ⚑ ] 0°37′12″S 100°32′24″E / 0.62°S 100.54°E / -0.62; 100.54
Lake Towuti Sulawesi Indonesia 561 [ ⚑ ] 2°45′0″S 121°30′0″E / 2.75°S 121.5°E / -2.75; 121.5
Lake Poso Sulawesi Indonesia 323 [ ⚑ ] 1°55′28″S 120°37′0″E / 1.92444°S 120.616667°E / -1.92444; 120.616667
Lake Matano Sulawesi Indonesia 164 [ ⚑ ] 2°29′7″S 121°20′0″E / 2.48528°S 121.333333°E / -2.48528; 121.333333

Lakes on islands in lakes

Tourists on Laguna del Volcan Maderas on Ometepe Island in Lake Nicaragua

These are first order lakes.

Name On island In lake Country Size (km2) Coordinates Notes
Lake Manitou Manitoulin Island Lake Michigan–Huron Canada 106 [ ⚑ ] 45°46′42″N 81°59′30″W / 45.77833°N 81.99167°W / 45.77833; -81.99167
Lac Observation René-Levasseur Island Manicouagan Reservoir Canada 13.5[25] [ ⚑ ] 51°21′42″N 68°49′12″W / 51.36167°N 68.82°W / 51.36167; -68.82
Ylä-Enonvesi[13] Sääminginsalo Saimaa Finland 12 [ ⚑ ] 62°3′7″N 29°0′12″E / 62.05194°N 29.00333°E / 62.05194; 29.00333 Includes Lake Saarijärvi that forms its southern part. Separated by an artificial canal, Sääminginsalo might not be considered an island.
Kulkemus[13] Partalansaari Pihlajavesi (Saimaa) Finland 5.8 [ ⚑ ] 61°40′43″N 28°24′13″E / 61.67861°N 28.40361°E / 61.67861; 28.40361
Saajuu-Palovesi[13] Partalansaari Pihlajavesi (Saimaa) Finland 4.1 [ ⚑ ] 61°41′55″N 28°19′34″E / 61.69861°N 28.32611°E / 61.69861; 28.32611
Saravesi[13] Kotasaari Kallavesi Finland 4.1 [ ⚑ ] 62°50′49″N 28°4′52″E / 62.84694°N 28.08111°E / 62.84694; 28.08111 Separated by an artificial canal, Kotasaari might not be considered an island.
Oininki[13] Äitsaari Saimaa Finland 2.6 [ ⚑ ] 61°18′52″N 28°38′21″E / 61.31444°N 28.63917°E / 61.31444; 28.63917
Malosenjärvi[13] Viljakansaari Pihlajavesi (Saimaa) Finland 1.4 [ ⚑ ] 61°31′58″N 28°16′11″E / 61.53278°N 28.26972°E / 61.53278; 28.26972
Valkiajärvi[13] Hurissalo Saimaa Finland 1.4 [ ⚑ ] 61°30′27″N 27°49′29″E / 61.5075°N 27.82472°E / 61.5075; 27.82472
Ruokojärvi[13] Partalansaari Pihlajavesi (Saimaa) Finland 1.3 [ ⚑ ] 61°38′1″N 28°23′39″E / 61.63361°N 28.39417°E / 61.63361; 28.39417
Närtejärvi[13] Viljakansaari Pihlajavesi (Saimaa) Finland 1.2 [ ⚑ ] 61°34′31″N 28°31′8″E / 61.57528°N 28.51889°E / 61.57528; 28.51889
Kylliönjärvi[13] Viljakansaari Pihlajavesi (Saimaa) Finland 1.1 [ ⚑ ] 61°33′47″N 28°22′59″E / 61.56306°N 28.38306°E / 61.56306; 28.38306
Lapinjärvi[13] Hurissalo Saimaa Finland 1.1 [ ⚑ ] 61°29′33″N 27°48′30″E / 61.4925°N 27.80833°E / 61.4925; 27.80833
Shara-Nur[26] Olkhon Island Lake Baikal Russia 0.75 [ ⚑ ] 53°06′18″N 107°15′16″E / 53.105°N 107.25444°E / 53.105; 107.25444
Siskiwit Lake Isle Royale Lake Superior United States 16.8 [ ⚑ ] 48°00′05″N 088°47′50″W / 48.00139°N 88.79722°W / 48.00139; -88.79722
Lake Desor[27] Isle Royale Lake Superior United States 4.3 [ ⚑ ] 47°58′36″N 88°59′13″W / 47.97667°N 88.98694°W / 47.97667; -88.98694
Lake Richie[28] Isle Royale Lake Superior United States 2.162 [ ⚑ ] 48°2′38″N 88°41′43″W / 48.04389°N 88.69528°W / 48.04389; -88.69528
Lake Mindemoya Manitoulin Island Lake Michigan–Huron Canada 38.7 [ ⚑ ] 45°45′43″N 82°12′32″W / 45.76194°N 82.20889°W / 45.76194; -82.20889
Lake Kagawong Manitoulin Island Lake Michigan–Huron Canada 55.6 [ ⚑ ] 45°50′0″N 82°18′36″W / 45.833333°N 82.31°W / 45.833333; -82.31
Little Lake Washington Island Lake Michigan United States 0.17 [ ⚑ ] 45°24′36″N 86°56′29″W / 45.41°N 86.94139°W / 45.41; -86.94139
Lake Windigo Star Island Cass Lake (Minnesota) United States 0.8 [ ⚑ ] 47°25′7″N 94°34′13″W / 47.41861°N 94.57028°W / 47.41861; -94.57028
Fox Lagoon Pelee island Lake Erie Canada 0.02 [ ⚑ ] 41°43′57″N 82°40′18″W / 41.7325°N 82.67167°W / 41.7325; -82.67167
Lake Henry Pelee island Lake Erie Canada 0.345 [ ⚑ ] 41°49′32″N 82°38′20″W / 41.82556°N 82.63889°W / 41.82556; -82.63889
Laguna del Volcan Maderas[29] Ometepe Lake Nicaragua Nicaragua 0.034 [ ⚑ ] 11°26′42″N 85°30′38″W / 11.445°N 85.51056°W / 11.445; -85.51056
Laguna de Zapatera[30] Zapatera Lake Nicaragua Nicaragua 0.19 [ ⚑ ] 11°45′59″N 85°51′25″W / 11.76639°N 85.85694°W / 11.76639; -85.85694
Antoniyevskoye Lake Valaam Lake Ladoga Russia 0.028 [ ⚑ ] 61°23′18″N 30°59′48″E / 61.38833°N 30.99667°E / 61.38833; 30.99667
Ozero Leshchevo Valaam Lake Ladoga Russia 0.27 [ ⚑ ] 61°21′35″N 30°55′58″E / 61.35972°N 30.93278°E / 61.35972; 30.93278
Lake Geneserath Beaver Island Lake Michigan–Huron United States 2 [ ⚑ ] 45°35′55″N 85°32′23″W / 45.59861°N 85.53972°W / 45.59861; -85.53972
Ösjön Ammerön Revsundssjön Sweden 0.58 [ ⚑ ] 62°51′53″N 15°10′21″E / 62.86472°N 15.1725°E / 62.86472; 15.1725
Igelviken Färingsö Mälaren Sweden 0.47 [ ⚑ ] 59°21′53″N 17°42′13″E / 59.36472°N 17.70361°E / 59.36472; 17.70361
Ändsjön Frösön Storsjön Sweden 0.32 [ ⚑ ] 63°10′34″N 14°34′24″E / 63.17611°N 14.57333°E / 63.17611; 14.57333
Gråtjønna Røssvassholmen Røssvatnet Norway 0.05 [ ⚑ ] 65°41′46″N 13°59′47″E / 65.69611°N 13.99639°E / 65.69611; 13.99639
— — Lake Chad Cameroon There is another, smaller lake on that island.

There are a few more islands in Lake Chad that have a lake on them.

Süvähaud Piirissaar Peipus Estonia
— — Thac Ba Reservoir Vietnam 0.05 21°50'24.7"N 104°58'02.5"E There are some extremely tiny islets in that lake.

Lakes on islands in lakes on islands

View across Arethusa Pool (foreground) on Mou Waho Island to Lake Wānaka, New Zealand

These are second order lakes.

Name On island In lake On island Country Size (km2) Coordinates Notes
— — Nettilling Lake Baffin Island Canada 1.55 [ ⚑ ] 66°23′15″N 69°38′41″W / 66.3875°N 69.64472°W / 66.3875; -69.64472
— Glover Island Grand Lake Newfoundland Canada 1.40 [ ⚑ ] 48°48′9″N 57°39′41″W / 48.8025°N 57.66139°W / 48.8025; -57.66139
Arethusa Pool Mou Waho Lake Wānaka South Island New Zealand 0.05 [ ⚑ ] 44°33′15″S 169°05′00″E / 44.55417°S 169.0833333°E / -44.55417; 169.0833333
— Rahui Island Lake Waikareiti North Island New Zealand 0.003 [ ⚑ ] 38°42′45″S 177°10′22″E / 38.7125°S 177.17278°E / -38.7125; 177.17278
— — Jubilee Lake Newfoundland Canada 0.025 [ ⚑ ] 48°3′50″N 55°10′24″W / 48.06389°N 55.17333°W / 48.06389; -55.17333
— — Mölnorträsk Fårö Sweden 0.00006 [ ⚑ ] 57°55′45″N 19°08′29″E / 57.92917°N 19.14139°E / 57.92917; 19.14139 Extremely small
— — — Baffin Island Canada [ ⚑ ] 70°41′14″N 80°34′18″W / 70.68722°N 80.57167°W / 70.68722; -80.57167
Molemole Motu'a'ali Motu Si'i Niuafo'ou Tonga 0.02 [ ⚑ ] 15°35′42″S 175°38′57″W / 15.594888°S 175.649157°W / -15.594888; -175.649157
— Sandey Þingvallavatn Iceland Iceland
— Gatter Lake Lake Hazen Ellesmere Island Canada Northernmost lake of its kind in the world.
— Teinholmen Vestrevatnet Osterøy Norway [ ⚑ ] 60°32′12″N 5°37′38″E / 60.536628°N 5.627209°E / 60.536628; 5.627209

Lakes on islands in lakes on islands in lakes

This is a third order lake.

Name On island In lake On island In lake Country Size (km2) Coordinates Notes
— — — — Lake Yathkyed Canada 0.013 [ ⚑ ] 62°39′5.8″N 97°47′11.8″W / 62.651611°N 97.786611°W / 62.651611; -97.786611 There is, even further, an island in that lake, making it the only such island in the world that has been discovered.[24]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Was a peninsula until 1906 when a canal was dug, separating it from the mainland.[10]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 2019 Guinness World Records. August 28, 2018. pp. 40–41. ISBN 978-1-912286-43-0. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Dempsey, Caitlin (July 9, 2024). "Third Order Islands". https://www.geographyrealm.com/third-order-islands/. 
  3. ↑ Arsene Mushagalusa Balasha et al. (2023). "Pesticide Choice and Use Patterns Among Vegetable Farmers on Idjwi Island, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo". SAGE Open (SAGE Publishing). https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21582440231218099. Retrieved December 10, 2025. 
  4. ↑ Wolchover (January 24, 2012). "World's Largest Island-in-a-lake-on-an-island-in-a-lake-on-an-island Seen on Google Earth=Natalie". https://www.livescience.com/33679-world-largest-island-lake-island-lake-island-google-earth.html. 
  5. ↑ Québec (ministère de l'Environnement) (April 2003), "La réserve de biodiversité projetée de l'île René-Levasseur" (in French), Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement (Quebec City): p. 14, http://www.bape.gouv.qc.ca/sections/mandats/groulx-levasseur/documents/PR1B-Levasseur.pdf, retrieved 2010-08-19 
  6. ↑ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_53.txt. 
  7. ↑ "Crater Lake, Oregon". September 18, 2006. https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/6944/crater-lake-oregon. 
  8. ↑ "Samosir | Location, Batak, & Facts | Britannica" (in en). Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Samosir. 
  9. ↑ "Suomen saaristo- ja vesistömatkailusta". http://julkaisut.valtioneuvosto.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/79421/03_17_Suomen_saaristo_ja_vesistomatkailusta_FINAL.pdf. 
  10. ↑ "Samosir Island - Everything you Need to Know about Samosir Island". http://www.indonesia-holidays.com/samosir-island.htm. 
  11. ↑ https://www.essexhighways.org/uploads/files/colchester_cycle_map.pdf
  12. ↑ Boa Island Placenames Database of Ireland
  13. ↑ 13.00 13.01 13.02 13.03 13.04 13.05 13.06 13.07 13.08 13.09 13.10 13.11 13.12 13.13 13.14 Shoreline - lakes (Ranta10), 2020. Finnish Environment Centre, ELY centres. Released under CC-BY-4.0.
  14. ↑ "Lac Du Chaunoy, Quebec Map". https://www.geodata.us/canada_names_maps/maps.php?featureid=EGEYR&f=79. 
  15. ↑ "GNIS Detail - Ryan Island". https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=138:3:0::NO::P3_FID,P3_TITLE:636435,Ryan%20Island. 
  16. ↑ "Islands within Chambers Island's Lake Mackaysee Now Protected by Door County Land Trust". November 8, 2018. https://www.doorcountylandtrust.org/islands-within-chambers-islands-lake-mackaysee-now-protected-by-door-county-land-trust. 
  17. ↑ "Island in a Lake on an Island in a Lake on an Island" (in en). February 22, 2015. https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/85342/island-in-a-lake-on-an-island-in-a-lake-on-an-island. 
  18. ↑ Nadis (October 31, 2025). "In a First, AI Models Analyze Language As Well As a Human Expert =Steve". Quanta Magazine. https://www.quantamagazine.org/in-a-first-ai-models-analyze-language-as-well-as-a-human-expert-20251031/. Retrieved December 9, 2025. 
  19. ↑ "Aek Natonang Lake – A Sub-Lake of Pangururan". https://www.toba.indonesia-tourism.com/aek_natonang.html. 
  20. ↑ Freedman, Andrew; Meko, Tim; Karklis, Laris (January 17, 2020). "Taal volcano's crater lake is nearly empty". Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2020/01/17/taal-volcanos-crater-lake-is-nearly-empty/. 
  21. ↑ "Some interesting islands and lakes". Topografisch Verbond Elbruz. http://www.elbruz.org/Special%20Projects/Islands%20and%20Lakes.htm. 
  22. ↑ "Volcano Island | volcano, Philippines". https://www.britannica.com/place/Volcano-Island. 
  23. ↑ [1], 62°39′05″ N, 97°47′15″ W
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Did you know? Canada is home to the world's most 'recursive' island". February 25, 2022. https://curiocity.com/canada-most-recursive-island-yathkyed-lake/. 
  25. ↑ [2]
  26. ↑ "Shara-Nur lake". May 11, 1975. https://www.baikalnature.com/info/landmarks/442. 
  27. ↑ "GNIS Detail - Lake Desor". https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=138:3:0::NO::P3_FID,P3_TITLE:624579,Lake%20Desor. 
  28. ↑ "GNIS Detail - Lake Richie". https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=138:3:0::NO::P3_FID,P3_TITLE:1618302,Lake%20Richie. 
  29. ↑ Valenzuela. "Puerta laguna misteriosa [Door to mysterious lagoon=Orlando"] (in es). El Nuevo Diario. http://www.elnuevodiario.com.ni/turismo/401936-puerta-laguna-misteriosa/. 
  30. ↑ "Global Volcanism Program | Zapatera". https://volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=344111. 



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