Largest continental island

Australia draws mixed views as to whether it should be classed as an island or a continent. It is, in fact, the largest continental island in the world, and is unique in the definition as it has tectonic independence from other tectonic plates with its own distinct species of flora and fauna. The next largest island is Greenland, but this is clearly tied to the North America plate and shares common species with neighbouring Canada and the northern USA. With a total land area of 7,617,930 sq km (2,941,299 sq mi), Australia is more than three times bigger than Greenland.