Japonski Island facts for kids
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Native name:
Yak'w Kashaneixí
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| Geography | |
| Location | ABC islands of Alaska |
| Archipelago | Alexander Archipelago |
| Administration | |
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United States
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| State | Alaska |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 269 (2000) |
Japonski Island is a small island in Sitka, a city in southeastern Alaska, United States. Its native name is Yak'w Kashaneixí. You can also hear it called остров Японский in Russian or ヤポンスキー島 in Japanese.
The island is part of the Alexander Archipelago. It sits across the Sitka Channel from Sitka's main downtown area.
Contents
The Name Japonski
The name Japonski comes from the Russian word for "Japanese." Russian colonists gave the island this name a long time ago.
This happened after some Japanese fishermen got stuck there in 1805. Russian sailors later helped them return to their home in Japan in 1806.
Getting to Japonski Island
Japonski Island is connected to Baranof Island and the rest of Sitka. You can cross to it using the O'Connell Bridge.
Before the bridge was built, people used a ferry system. Small boats like the Donna, Teddy, Dorothy, Diane, and Arrowhead carried people back and forth.
What's on Japonski Island?
Japonski Island is home to several important places. Many people visit or work here, but few actually live on the island.
Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport
This is the main airport for Sitka. It helps people travel to and from the island.
University of Alaska Southeast
The Sitka branch campus of the University of Alaska Southeast is located here. Students can take college classes on the island.
Mt. Edgecumbe High School
This is a special boarding school for teenagers from rural parts of Alaska. Students live at the school while they study.
SEARHC Hospital
The SouthEast Alaska Regional Healthcare Center (SEARHC) is a hospital on the island. It provides health care for the region.
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard has an air station and port facilities here. The ship USCGC Maple uses this port.
Sitka Maritime Heritage Society
This group maintains a restored boathouse on the island. It helps preserve the area's history of boats and the sea.
Island Population
Not many people live on Japonski Island. Most residents are part of the Coast Guard housing complex.
In the year 2000, the official population was 269 people. The island's land area is about 1.467 square kilometers (362.5 acres). This includes smaller nearby islands like Virublennoi and Sasedni.
Population History
Japonski Island was counted separately in the 1940 U.S. Census. At that time, 39 people lived there. Later, it became part of the city of Sitka.
