Avatanak Island facts for kids
Avatanak Island (Aleut: Agutanax̂; Russian: Аватанак) is a small island in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, U.S.. It is part of a group called the Krenitzin Islands, which are a subgroup of the Fox Islands. Avatanak is the second-largest island in the Krenitzin group, stretching about 10 miles (16 kilometers) long.
Where is Avatanak Island?
Avatanak Island is located in the eastern part of the Aleutian Islands. It lies southeast of Akun Island. A body of water called the Avatanak Strait separates Avatanak from Akun Island.
Within the Krenitzin Islands, Avatanak is positioned between two other islands. To its west is Rootok Island, also known as Aayux̂tax̂. To its east, you'll find Tigalda Island. On the southeastern coast of Avatanak, there is a bay called Avatanak Bight.
The Name of the Island
The name Avatanak comes from the Aleut people, who are the native inhabitants of the Aleutian Islands. Russian explorers first wrote down the name, leading to different spellings over time.
One of the earliest mentions of the island's name was in 1768. Captain Pyotr Krenitsyn and Lieutenant Levashev recorded a name that seems to be the same as Avatanak. They called it Aiaialgutak.
Later, the name Avatanak became more common. Father Veniaminov published it in 1840, and Captain Tebenkov used it in 1852. However, other explorers like Captain Lutke and the Russian Hydrographic Department used a slightly different spelling, Avatanok, in 1847. Despite the small differences, all these names refer to the same island.
