What is a group or chain of islands called?
a) Archipelago
b) Peninsula
c) Delta
d) Strait
Answer: a) Archipelago
Explanation
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Archipelago: An archipelago is a vast collection, chain, or cluster of islands scattered across a body of water (usually an ocean or sea).
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Etymology: The word originates from the Greek arkhi- (“chief”) and pelagos (“sea”), which originally referred specifically to the Aegean Sea and its numerous islands.
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Indian Archipelagos:
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Andaman and Nicobar Islands: An arc-shaped volcanic/tectonic island chain in the Bay of Bengal comprising over 570 islands.
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Lakshadweep Islands: A coral atoll archipelago in the Arabian Sea consisting of 36 islands.
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Global Examples: The Malay Archipelago (comprising Indonesia and the Philippines) is the largest archipelago by area in the world.
Overview of Other Options
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b) Peninsula: A piece of land surrounded by water on three sides while connected to a larger mainland (e.g., Peninsular India).
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c) Delta: A triangular landform created by silt and sediment deposition where a river meets a sea or lake (e.g., Sundarbans Delta).
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d) Strait: A narrow natural waterway connecting two larger bodies of water (e.g., Palk Strait connecting the Bay of Bengal with the Gulf of Mannar).
