Vocabulary Builder — Essay & Answer Writing
Archipelago
noun
/ aar-KIP-uh-lay-goh /
Easy
Meaning
A group of islands clustered together in a sea or ocean, often formed by volcanic activity or tectonic processes.
Origin / Etymology
Italian arcipelago, from arci- (chief) + pelago (sea); originally referred to the Aegean Sea with its many islands.
Synonyms
Island chain
Island group
Atoll chain
Antonyms
Mainland
Continent
Peninsula
Example Sentence
"The Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, comprising over 570 islands, is of immense strategic importance for India in the Indo-Pacific region."
🎯 UPSC Usage
Use in Geography answers on island territories, maritime security, and India's exclusive economic zones. Also relevant for IR answers on India's island diplomacy with ASEAN neighbours and the SAGAR doctrine.
Relevant Subjects