Unit 2 · Neighbors & Borders
Surrounded by water — and shaped by it
Some island nations are huge: Indonesia (17,000+ islands, 277M people), Japan (6,800 islands, 125M people), Philippines (7,641 islands, 115M people), United Kingdom (our global language comes from an island!). Islands breed unique cultures because water acts as a natural barrier.
Singapore controls the Strait of Malacca (25% of world shipping). Malta controlled Mediterranean trade for millennia. Cuba sits at the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico. Iceland sits between North America and Europe. Location, location, location.
Britain built history's largest empire FROM AN ISLAND. Japan became the world's 3rd largest economy FROM ISLANDS. Indonesia is the world's 4th most populous country — on islands. Being surrounded by water didn't limit these nations; it made them great sailors and traders.
Nauru: 21 km², population 12,000 — smallest island republic. Tuvalu: might be underwater by 2100. Maldives: average elevation 1.5m above sea level. Marshall Islands: scattered across ocean the size of Mexico, but total land area smaller than Washington DC.
Fresh water is scarce (many rely on rain or desalination). Everything imported costs more (shipping!). Climate change hits hardest — rising seas threaten entire nations. Brain drain is real — young people leave for bigger countries. One cyclone can devastate the entire economy.
Despite challenges, island nations often top happiness and beauty rankings. Fiji, Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius are dream vacation spots. Iceland consistently ranks as the most peaceful country on Earth. New Zealand ranked #1 for quality of life. Water brings freedom.
Answer all ten, then see your stars. You can retake it as many times as you like.
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