Etolin Strait facts for kids
Etolin Strait is a strait of the Pacific Ocean in western Alaska, United States. A strait is a narrow waterway that connects two larger bodies of water.
Contents
Where is Etolin Strait?
Etolin Strait is located in Alaska, a state in the United States. It connects two large bodies of water: Kuskokwim Bay and the Bering Sea. You can find it at 60°20′N 165°25′W / 60.333°N 165.417°W.
Size and Location
This strait is about 96 km (60 mi) long. It is also quite wide, ranging from 48 to 80 km (30 to 50 mi) across. The waters here are known for their strong tidal currents, which means the water moves very fast with the tides.
Surrounding Lands
Etolin Strait lies between several important land areas:
- To its west is Nunivak Island.
- To its east are Nelson Island and the main part of Alaska.
Several capes, which are points of land sticking out into the sea, mark the edges of the strait:
- On Nunivak Island, you'll find Cape Etolin to the northwest and Cape Corwin to the southwest.
- On Nelson Island, Cape Vancouver is to the northeast.
- On the Alaskan mainland, Cape Avinol is to the southeast.
History of Etolin Strait
Etolin Strait is named after Adolf Etolin. He was the first European to discover this waterway. When he first found it, he called it Cook Strait.
Who was Adolf Etolin?
Adolf Etolin was an important person in the history of Russian America. He served as the colonial governor of this area from 1840 to 1845. Russian America was the name for the Russian colonies in North America, which included Alaska, before the United States bought it.
