Etolin Island

Etolin
Etolin
Geography
Location Pacific Ocean
Coordinates 56°05′52″N 132°21′37″W / 56.09778°N 132.36028°W / 56.09778; -132.36028
Archipelago Alexander Archipelago
Area 339.03 sq mi (878.1 km2)
Length 30 mi (50 km)
Width 22 mi (35 km)
Administration
United States
State Alaska
Demographics
Population 15 (2000 census)

Etolin Island is an island in the Alexander Archipelago of southeastern Alaska, United States at 56°05′52″N 132°21′37″W / 56.09778°N 132.36028°W / 56.09778; -132.36028. It is between Prince of Wales Island, to its west, and the Alaska mainland, to its east. It is southwest of Wrangell Island. It was first charted in 1793 by James Johnstone, one of George Vancouver's officers during his 1791-95 expedition. He only charted its southwest and east coasts, not realizing it was an island.[1] It was originally named Duke of York Island but was renamed by the United States after the Alaska Purchase.[2] It is named after Adolf Etolin, governor of the Russian American colonies from 1840 to 1845.

The island is 30 mi (48 km) long and 10–22 miles (16–35 km) wide, with a land area of 339.03 sq mi (878.08 km2), making it the 24th largest island in the United States. As of the 2000 census, Etolin had a population of 15 persons.

It contains a population of introduced elk. The entire island lies within the boundaries of Tongass National Forest. The southern part of the island has been officially designated the South Etolin Wilderness.

The ETOLIN CANOE is a historic dugout canoe, found unfinished on the island, which is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

References

  1. ↑ Vancouver, George, and John Vancouver (1801). A voyage of discovery to the North Pacific ocean, and round the world. London: J. Stockdale.
  2. ↑ Statement of facts regarding the Alaska boundary question, p.1383, Alexander Begg, Report to the Attorney-General of British Columbia, 1902.


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