The seas of the world's oceans are unique corners of the earth. they have always attracted the attention of travelers, adventurers, poets, artists, as well as geographers. reference publication “islands” from the series “nature of the world” is the first in Russian literature such a large-scale, systematized and comprehensive description of almost all large and significant numbers of small and small islands of the world. The book gives a general idea of the islands (geographical concept, typology, position in the structure world ocean), as well as information about the history of their discovery, climate, landscapes, flora and fauna, natural resources, population, as well as the prospects for island environmental management in connection with global environmental problems. The authors of the book are well-known Russian scientific geographers and share not only theoretical knowledge and the results of scientific research, but also personal impressions.