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Archipelago: meaning, definitions and examples

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archipelago

 

[ ˌɑːrkɪˈpɛlɪɡoʊ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

geographical term

An archipelago is a group of islands that are clustered together in a body of water. Typically, the islands in an archipelago have similar geological origins and characteristics. Archipelagos can vary in size and number of islands, and they are often formed from volcanic activity or the rising of sea levels. The term can also refer to an extensive area of water that contains numerous islands, creating a distinct locale that is rich in biodiversity.

Synonyms

group of islands, island chain, island group

Examples of usage

  • The Indonesian archipelago includes thousands of islands.
  • The Caribbean is known for its beautiful archipelagos.
  • Hawaii is part of an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean.
  • The Philippines is an archipelago made up of over 7,000 islands.

Translations

Translations of the word "archipelago" in other languages:

🇵🇹 arquipélago

🇮🇳 द्वीपसमूह

🇩🇪 Archipel

🇮🇩 kepulauan

🇺🇦 архіпелаг

🇵🇱 archipelag

🇯🇵 群島

🇫🇷 archipel

🇪🇸 archipiélago

🇹🇷 takımadalar

🇰🇷 군도

🇸🇦 أرخبيل

🇨🇿 souostroví

🇸🇰 souostrovie

🇨🇳 群岛

🇸🇮 otočje

🇮🇸 eyjar

🇰🇿 архипелаг

🇬🇪 არქიპელაგი

🇦🇿 arxipelaq

🇲🇽 archipiélago

Etymology

The word 'archipelago' comes from the Italian 'arcipelago,' which originally referred to the Aegean Sea and its islands. The term has Greek origins, derived from 'arkhi-' meaning 'chief' or 'main,' and 'pelagos' meaning 'sea.' Historically, it was used to describe the Aegean islands, which were significant in ancient trade and navigation. Over time, the definition broadened to include any group of islands globally, not just in the Aegean. This evolution reflects various cultural and geographical factors influencing how people perceive and categorize island regions across the world. In modern usage, 'archipelago' is widely accepted in geographical, scientific, and ecological contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,763, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.