Fraser Island (Nunavut) facts for kids
 Fraser Island
Location in Nunavut
Fraser Island
Location in Canada
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Hudson Bay |
| Coordinates | 63°29′N 78°30′W / 63.48°N 78.5°W |
| Archipelago | Canadian Arctic Archipelago |
| Area | 55 km2 (21 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
| Nunavut | Nunavut |
| Region | Qikiqtaaluk |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
Fraser Island is a quiet, empty island in Canada's far north. It's part of a huge area called Nunavut. This island sits right at the entrance of a very large bay called Hudson Bay. It's not far from another island called Nottingham Island. No one lives on Fraser Island permanently.
The closest town is Cape Dorset, an Inuit community. It is about 120 kilometers (75 miles) away. Cape Dorset is located on Baffin Island.
What's the Land Like?
Fraser Island has a special kind of land called tundra. Tundra is a cold, treeless area. The island also has many inlets, which are narrow parts of the sea reaching into the land.
You can also find coastal cliffs and rocky shores. These features make up the island's unique environment.
Who Lives There? (Animals!)
Fraser Island is a very important place for birds. It is known as a Canadian Important Bird Area. This means it's a key spot for birds to live and raise their young. It's also a Key Migratory Bird Terrestrial Habitat site. This means many birds stop here during their long journeys.
One important bird species found here is the Common Eider. These are large sea ducks. Many other waterbirds and seabirds also live here in large groups.
How Did It Get Its Name?
For a long time, Fraser Island didn't have a name. In 1965, it was named in honor of a man named Robert James Fraser. He was an important person in Canada.
Robert James Fraser was the first "Dominion Hydrographer." This job meant he was in charge of mapping and studying Canada's waters. He helped create important maps of the country's coasts and oceans.
