What other islands are important enough to help control a large maritime area?
Short answerHawaii, Guam, Midway, the Falkland Islands, the Azores, and some Caribbean islands provide strategic influence because of their locations.
NotesHawaii and Guam provide bases in the Pacific, while the Falkland Islands influence the South Atlantic and approaches to Antarctica. The Azores occupy a useful position in the Atlantic, and Caribbean islands can acquire similar importance depending on the routes at issue. Midway is another Pacific example. An island's location can give it military reach well beyond its own size or resources.