Flores Island (British Columbia) facts for kids
Flores Island is a small island located off the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It's part of a beautiful area called Clayoquot Sound. The island is about 155 square kilometers in size, which is roughly the size of a small city.
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Who Lives on Flores Island?
The main community on Flores Island is called Marktosis. About 900 people live there. Most of the island's residents are members of the Ahousaht Nation. The Ahousaht people are a big part of the Nuu-chah-nulth (also known as Nootka) First Nation. While English is spoken by most people, some of the traditional indigenous language is still used.
Nature and Protected Areas
Flores Island is a very special place for nature. It's located within the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve. This means the area is recognized internationally for its unique plants and animals, and efforts are made to protect them. The island is home to one of the largest areas of ancient, untouched forests (called old-growth forest) on Vancouver Island.
A large part of the island, about 41 square kilometers, is protected as the Flores Island Marine Provincial Park. There's also the Gibson Marine Provincial Park, which is smaller (about 1.43 square kilometers) and famous for its warm hot springs found near the Matilda Inlet. The Marktosis community also has its own land, and the rest of the island is government-owned.
How Flores Island Got Its Name
Flores Island was named in 1791 by a Spanish explorer named Francisco de Eliza. He named it to honor Manuel Antonio Flórez. Manuel Antonio Flórez was an important leader, known as a viceroy, in what was then called New Spain.
What People Do on the Island
The main way people make a living on Flores Island is through fishing. Tourism is also becoming more popular. Visitors can explore the island by hiking on the 'Walk the Wild Side' trail. There are also places to stay, like the Aauuknuck Lodge. One of the island's beautiful spots, Cow Bay, has even been voted as one of Canada's top ten beaches!
How to Get There
To reach Flores Island, you can take a water-taxi or a seaplane from the nearby town of Tofino.
