Top 10 Largest Artificial Islands by Area in the World
The ten largest man-made islands on Earth, ranked by their total land area, from the vast Dutch polders to ambitious projects in the Middle East and Asia.
Updated August 10, 202610 ranked4 sources
Quick answer: 1. Flevopolder, 2. Noordoostpolder, 3. Hong Kong International Airport (Chek Lap Kok), 4. Kansai International Airport, 5. Palm Jebel Ali, 6. Palm Jumeirah, 7. The World Islands, 8. Port Island, 9. Rokko Island, 10. Chūbu Centrair International Airport Island.
Artificial islands, or man-made islands, are lands constructed by humans rather than formed by natural processes. These feats of engineering range from simple land reclamation projects to complex, self-sustaining ecosystems. Often built for urban expansion, transportation infrastructure, or specialized industrial uses, artificial islands represent humanity's ambition to reshape geography.
This list ranks the largest artificial islands in the world by their total land area, showcasing projects from the Netherlands' centuries-old polders to modern mega-developments in the Persian Gulf. They highlight diverse construction methods, from draining seabeds to piling up rock and sand, each addressing unique challenges and serving distinct purposes.
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Area (km²)
Area (km²)
Flevopolder
970 km²
Noordoostpolder
480 km²
Hong Kong International Airport (Chek Lap Kok)
12.5 km²
Kansai International Airport
10.5 km²
Palm Jebel Ali
8 km²
Palm Jumeirah
5.7 km²
The World Islands
5.6 km²
Port Island
4.4 km²
Rokko Island
4.2 km²
Chūbu Centrair International Airport Island
3.7 km²
The ranking
1
Flevopolder
Located in the Netherlands, Flevopolder is the largest artificial island in the world, created by reclaiming land from the former Zuiderzee bay. It comprises two polders: Oostelijk Flevoland (540 km²) and Zuidelijk Flevoland (430 km²). These areas were drained in the mid-20th century, adding vast amounts of fertile land for agriculture and new cities like Almere and Lelystad.
Also part of the Netherlands' Zuiderzee Works, the Noordoostpolder was the second major polder to be created, drained between 1937 and 1942. With an area of 480 km², it significantly expanded the country's arable land and established new communities such as Emmeloord, demonstrating the Dutch expertise in water management and land reclamation.
One of the world's busiest and most advanced airports, Hong Kong International Airport was largely built on a massive artificial island created by leveling the natural islands of Chek Lap Kok and Lam Chau and reclaiming 9.38 km² of seabed. Its total land area exceeds 12.5 km², providing space for its two runways and vast terminal facilities.
Construction status:Cost:Country:Creation method:Development type:Environmental consideration:Location: Hong KongPopulation:Primary use: International airportResponse to:Shape:Total reclamation: 9.38 km²Year completed: 1998Year started:
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4
Kansai International Airport
Built in Osaka Bay, Japan, Kansai International Airport is the first airport to be built entirely on an artificial island. It was constructed on a 10.5 km² (approximately 2,570-acre) artificial island designed to withstand earthquakes and typhoons. The airport opened in 1994 and serves as a major international hub for the region.
Construction status:Cost: Approx. $20 billionCountry:Creation method:Development type:Environmental consideration:Location: Osaka Bay, JapanPopulation:Primary use: International airportResponse to:Shape:Total reclamation:Year completed: 1994Year started:
5
Palm Jebel Ali
Part of Dubai's ambitious Palm Islands development, Palm Jebel Ali is a man-made archipelago that, when fully developed, would be significantly larger than Palm Jumeirah. While largely incomplete after the 2008 financial crisis, its reclaimed landmass covers an area of approximately 8 km², designed to create extensive residential and tourist facilities.
Construction status: On holdCost:Country:Creation method:Development type:Environmental consideration:Location: Dubai, UAEPopulation:Primary use: Residential, tourism (incomplete)Response to:Shape:Total reclamation:Year completed:Year started: 2002
6
Palm Jumeirah
The most iconic of Dubai's artificial islands, Palm Jumeirah is a luxurious residential and tourist development shaped like a palm tree. It covers an area of approximately 5.72 km² (572 hectares) and has added significant beachfront property to Dubai's coastline, featuring high-end hotels, villas, and apartments.
Another of Dubai's mega-projects, The World is an archipelago of 300 small artificial islands constructed in the shape of a world map. While many islands remain undeveloped, the total land area of the reclaimed islands is about 5.6 km². The project aims to create exclusive private and resort developments.
Construction status:Cost:Country:Creation method:Development type:Environmental consideration:Location: Dubai, UAEPopulation:Primary use: Luxury residential/resort (incomplete)Response to:Shape: World mapTotal reclamation:Year completed:Year started: 2003
8
Port Island
Located in Kobe, Japan, Port Island is a large artificial island in Osaka Bay, covering 4.41 km². It was constructed primarily for port facilities, urban development, and a new city center after the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake. It hosts a variety of functions including residential areas, commercial spaces, and universities.
Construction status:Cost:Country:Creation method:Development type:Environmental consideration:Location: Kobe, JapanPopulation:Primary use: Port, urban developmentResponse to: Earthquake recoveryShape:Total reclamation:Year completed: 1981 (first phase)Year started:
9
Rokko Island
Another significant artificial island in Kobe, Japan, Rokko Island spans 4.2 km² and was developed as a complementary port and residential area to Port Island. It features a planned urban environment with residential buildings, parks, and industrial facilities, contributing to Kobe's modern infrastructure and economy.
Serving the Nagoya region of Japan, Chūbu Centrair International Airport is built on a 3.7 km² artificial island in Ise Bay. Opened in 2005, the island airport design minimizes environmental impact on the surrounding area and provides efficient air travel services for central Japan, with facilities for both domestic and international flights.
Construction status:Cost:Country:Creation method:Development type:Environmental consideration: Offshore locationLocation: Nagoya, Japan (Ise Bay)Population:Primary use: International airportResponse to:Shape:Total reclamation:Year completed: 2005Year started:
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Full comparison
#
Name
Construction status
Cost
Country
Creation method
Development type
Environmental consideration
Location
Population
Primary use
Response to
Shape
Total reclamation
Year completed
Year started
1
Flevopolder
Netherlands
Polder (land reclamation)
~423,000 (2023)
1968 (entire Flevopolder)
2
Noordoostpolder
Netherlands
Polder (land reclamation)
~49,000 (2023)
1942
3
Hong Kong International Airport (Chek Lap Kok)
Hong Kong
International airport
9.38 km²
1998
4
Kansai International Airport
Approx. $20 billion
Osaka Bay, Japan
International airport
1994
5
Palm Jebel Ali
On hold
Dubai, UAE
Residential, tourism (incomplete)
2002
6
Palm Jumeirah
Dubai, UAE
Residential, tourism
Palm tree
2006 (major reclamation)
7
The World Islands
Dubai, UAE
Luxury residential/resort (incomplete)
World map
2003
8
Port Island
Kobe, Japan
Port, urban development
Earthquake recovery
1981 (first phase)
9
Rokko Island
Planned urban environment
Kobe, Japan
Port, residential
1990
10
Chūbu Centrair International Airport Island
Offshore location
Nagoya, Japan (Ise Bay)
International airport
2005
How we ranked this
Islands are ranked by their total land area in square kilometers (km²), based on the most recent official figures or widely accepted estimates. Only islands substantially or entirely constructed through human intervention (reclamation, dredging, infilling) are included. Islands created by the modification of existing natural landmasses, or natural islands heavily built upon, are excluded. Data is primarily sourced from official government land management agencies, environmental reports, and academic geographic studies.
FAQ
What is the difference between a polder and a traditional artificial island?
A polder is a piece of low-lying land reclaimed from a body of water, often by dikes and drainage. Traditional artificial islands are built up from the seabed using dredged material. Both are man-made, but polders involve draining an area, while traditional islands involve filling an area.
Are these islands stable, given they are man-made?
Modern artificial islands are engineered for stability, using advanced techniques to ensure foundation integrity, especially in seismic zones or areas prone to severe weather. However, some projects, like those in the Persian Gulf, have faced challenges with erosion and settlement over time.