Kaien Island facts for kids
Kaien Island is a Canadian island located on the coast of British Columbia. It's found just north of where the Skeena River meets the ocean. To its south is the river, and to its north is the bottom part of Southeast Alaska.
The island is shaped a bit like an oval. It covers about 45 square kilometers (11,000 acres). It's about 11 kilometers (7 miles) long from one end to the other. In the middle of the island, there's a mountain ridge. This ridge is surrounded by lower land near the coast. The highest point is Mount Hays, which is about 708 meters (2,323 feet) tall. Another peak, Mount Olfield, is about 555 meters (1,821 feet) high to the northeast.
Kaien Island is part of a special low area along the coast called the Hecate Depression. It's also part of the larger Coast Mountains region, known for its unique landforms. The island's main rock is a strong, dark type called amphibolite. This rock slopes towards the east. The island is located within the North Coast Regional District, which is a local government area.
The ocean around Kaien Island has very big tides. This means that when the water goes out, large areas of muddy and rocky ground appear. These areas are perfect homes for many small sea creatures like crabs and worms, as well as fish that live near the shore.
Kaien Island has been an important place for a very long time. It is central to the traditional lands of the Tsimshian First Nations people. People have lived here permanently for over 5,000 years. Today, the city of Prince Rupert, British Columbia is built on the island.
During World War II, Kaien Island played a role in protecting the coast. Casey Point, on the west side of the island, had a special fort. This fort helped guard the British Columbia coast. Another similar fort was located at Seal Cove, on the northern tip of the island.
Images for kids
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A stream flowing over the strong bedrock on Kaien Island
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Bright red Bunchberries growing in a wet, marshy area
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The beautiful coastal rainforest in late summer
