penínsulas

Peninsulas are landmasses that extend into a sea or ocean and are bordered by water on most sides, while remaining connected to a mainland by a narrower strip of land called an isthmus. The defining feature is that they are surrounded by water but not completely, unlike islands. Peninsulas form through various geological processes, including plate tectonics, sea-level fluctuations that cut away surrounding land, and erosion by waves. They commonly host maritime climates and notable biodiversity that differs from the adjacent mainland due to isolation by water.

Peninsulas occur in all continents and vary greatly in size. They can be broad promontories or narrow land bridges that create sheltered coastal areas and natural harbors. Human activity often centers on trade, fishing, and agriculture in peninsular regions; the presence of harbors and navigable coastlines has historically shaped commerce and culture. Peninsula geography also influences strategic considerations, borders, and regional identity.

Notable examples include the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) in southwestern Europe; the Scandinavian Peninsula (Norway and Sweden) in Northern Europe; the Arabian Peninsula; the Indian Peninsula; the Malay Peninsula; the Balkan Peninsula; the Anatolian Peninsula; the Sinai Peninsula; the Korean Peninsula; and the Horn of Africa as a large East African peninsula. Many peninsulas host protected areas, coastal cities, and unique ecosystems, while also facing pressures from development and climate change.