Komodo  ( Indonesian :  Pulau Komodo   pronounced   [koˈmodo] ) is one of the 17,508  islands  that comprise the  Republic of Indonesia . It is particularly notable as the habitat of the  Komodo dragon , the largest lizard on Earth, which is named after the island. Komodo Island has a surface area of 291 square kilometres, and had a human population of about 1,800 in 2020. Komodo is part of the  Lesser Sunda chain  of islands and forms part of the  Komodo National Park . It is a popular destination for  diving . Administratively, it is part of the Komodo District (which also includes  Rinca Island  and numerous other islands off the west coast of  Flores , together with part of the western portion of Flores itself), forming part of  West Manggarai Regency  within the province of  East Nusa Tenggara . In 1991 Komodo island was include on the  Komodo National Park  was declared a  UNES...