The percentage of island countries that are democratic is higher than that of continental countries. Historically they have been more prone to political instability than their continental counterparts.
Island countries have often been the basis of maritime conquest and historical rivalry between other countries. Island countries are more susceptible to attack by large, continental countries due to their size and dependence on sea and air lines of communication. Many island countries are also vulnerable to predation by mercenaries and other foreign invaders, although their isolation also makes them a difficult target. Powerful countries, such as the United Kingdom, may develop a navy for protection and promotion of their interests, sometimes known as a sea power.
Natural resources 
Many island countries rely heavily on fish for their main supply of food. Some are turning to renewable energy—such as wind power, hydropower, geothermal power and biodiesel from copra oil—to combat the rise in oil prices.
Some island countries are more affected than other countries by climate change, which produces problems such as reduced land use, water scarcity and sometimes even resettlement issues. Some low-lying island countries are slowly being submerged by the rising water levels of the Pacific Ocean. Climate change also impacts island countries by causing natural disasters such as tropical cyclones, hurricanes, flash floods and drought. . In 2011, the Center for Climate Change Law (CCCL) held a conference attended by 272 registrants from 39 island nations titled Legal Issues for Threatened Island Nations.
Many island countries rely heavily on imports and are greatly affected by changes in the global economy. The economies of island countries are usually smaller and more vulnerable to shipping costs, environmental damage to infrastructure, and isolation from other economies than those of larger, continental countries, exceptions include Japan, Australia and the U.K. The dominant industry for many island countries is tourism.
Island countries are typically small with relatively low populations.
Some island countries are centred on one or two major islands, such as the United Kingdom, Trinidad and Tobago, New Zealand and Singapore. Others are spread out over hundreds or thousands of smaller islands, such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Seychelles, and the Maldives. Some island countries share their islands with other countries; these include the United Kingdom and Ireland, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and Indonesia, which shares islands with Papua New Guinea, Brunei, East Timor and Malaysia.
Geographically, the country of Australia is considered a continental landmass rather than an island, covering the largest landmass of the Australian continent. In the past, however, it was considered an island country for tourism purposes and is still often referred to as such.
See also 
- Ott, Dana (2000). Small is Democratic. Routledge. p. 128. ISBN 0-8153-3910-0.
- Chasle, Raymond (01-OCT-1986). "The quest for identity. (island countries)". UNESCO Courier. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
- Perry, Walt L.; Robert W. Button, Jerome Bracken, Thomas Sullivan, Rand Corporation, United States Navy, Jonathan Mitchell (2002). Measures of Effectiveness for the Information-age Navy. Rand Corporation. p. 7. ISBN 0-8330-3139-2.
- WREN, CHRISTOPHER S. (December 9, 1989). "Mercenary Holding Island Nation Seeks Deal". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
- "OTTAWA: REPORT ISSUES WARNING ABOUT FUTURE OF CORAL FISHERIES". Radio Canada International. 2007-04-21. Retrieved 2009-02-01.[dead link]
- Xingwei, Huang (2008-10-17). "Pacific Islands countries switch to renewable energy source due to increasing fuel prices". Retrieved 2009-02-01.
- "Leader of disappearing island nation says climate change an issue of survival, not economics". June 5, 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
- "FAO: Climate change threatens food security of Pacific island countries". December 2, 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
- "Global economic crisis a concern for Pacific island countries". 2008-10-28. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
- "WTO/FORSEC Trade Policy Course for Pacific island countries". 9 March 2001. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
- "NZ calls for global solutions to problems faced by small island nations". 2005-01-18. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
- Garg, Sarika. "U.N. ambassador gives keynote". Retrieved 2009-02-01.
- "China enlists Pacific island countries as tourist destinations, XINHUA.". The America's Intelligence Wire. 10-AUG-04. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
- "Wen pledges new aid to Pacific countries". International Herald Tribute. April 5, 2006. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
- "Australian Naval Defence". The Brisbane Courier. 24 July 1897. Retrieved 2009-01-31.
- "China, Pacific island countries discuss cooperation at forum meeting". Retrieved 2009-02-01.