What is "The Mainland"?

A simple question for which I'm unsure of the answer.

I thought the mainland is the big island with the snow-covered southern quadrant. Yet, when I search for mainland land for sale, I'm shown land on two other, smaller islands, one to the east and the other to the south of the 'big' mainland.

Are these other two really mainland or are they someone's islands and/or estates?

Yipp

All three "big" land masses are mainland.

Estates or private islands will generally have a covenant (though not all do, so this is not a litmus) but it'll help determine one from the other.

A

Fastest general answer - Mainland is anything where the sim itself is directly owned by Linden Lab. Private islands are anything else.

In general, Mainland is usually going to be large groups of connected sims. Like 30 0r more. There are several of these now. Two big ones in the mtddle of the map, a smaller one of the SE coast of the Southern large one, and at least three others to the South or East of the main continents that are 30+ sims lumped together into a single land mass.

Both answers are helpful and appreciated. Thanks. It's interesting that "The Mainland" is really The Mainlands.

Regarding land owned by Linden... how can I tell that a big piece of land is owned by Linden? Maybe "About Land". I'll try.

Thanks again.

Yipp

Specifically, look at the Covenant tab in about land. If there is an estate owner listed, it is a private island. If it says (none), it is mainland.

Thanks, Zaphod. I think that the answers to my 'simple question' will help other noobs like me in the future.

Thanks for taking the time and interest.

Yipp