An archipelago is a landform that is most commonly found in the open sea. An archipelago comprises a cluster or a chain of islands. Though uncommon, sometimes there may be a neighboring large land mass. These are often geologically very active areas, many archipelagos being volcanic. They are formed along mid-ocean ridges and hotspots. Their formation and origin is however subject to many other processes, including erosion and deposition.
When translated literally, the word means 'chief sea', derived from the Greek 'arkhon', meaning leader, and 'pelagos', meaning sea. Some of the best known archipelagoes would include the Aegean islands, the Aleutian islands, the Andaman islands, the Bermuda islands, the Channel islands of California, Falkland islands (Malvinas), Florida Keys, and Maldives.
When translated literally, the word means 'chief sea', derived from the Greek 'arkhon', meaning leader, and 'pelagos', meaning sea. Some of the best known archipelagoes would include the Aegean islands, the Aleutian islands, the Andaman islands, the Bermuda islands, the Channel islands of California, Falkland islands (Malvinas), Florida Keys, and Maldives.
