Keppel Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Keppel Island
Isla de la Vigia
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 Keppel Island
Location in Falkland Islands
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| Country | Falkland Islands |
| Area | |
| • Total | 36.26 km2 (14.00 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 341 m (1,119 ft) |
| Population
(2012)
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| • Total | 0 |
| • Density | 0/km2 (0/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-3 (FKST) |
Keppel Island is a beautiful island in the Falkland Islands. It is located north of West Falkland. The island is named after Admiral Augustus Keppel. He was a British naval officer.
Keppel Island is known for its interesting history. It was once home to a special mission. Today, it is an important place for many birds.
Contents
Geography and Landscape
Keppel Island covers an area of about 36 square kilometers (14 square miles). It is shaped a bit like a boot. The island has a long, narrow part that stretches to the north.
The highest point on Keppel Island is Mount Weddell. It rises 341 meters (1,119 feet) above sea level. The island has many bays and coves. These include Shallow Bay, White Beach, and Smylie's Harbour.
The land on Keppel Island is mostly hilly. There are also some flat areas. These flat areas are often covered in peat. Peat is a type of soil made from decayed plants.
History of Keppel Island
Keppel Island has a unique past. In the mid-1800s, it became home to a special mission. This mission was set up by the Patagonian Missionary Society. The society later became the South American Missionary Society.
The mission started in 1856. Its goal was to help the native people of Tierra del Fuego. These people were called the Yahgan. Missionaries wanted to teach them about Christianity and new ways of life.
The Mission Settlement
The mission built a small settlement on the island. They constructed a chapel, houses, and other buildings. They also started farms to grow food. The Yahgan people would visit the island to learn and trade.
One important person at the mission was Thomas Bridges. He was a young missionary who arrived in 1871. He had already started learning the Yahgan language.
Bridges became very good at the language. Over ten years, he wrote a huge Yahgan dictionary. It had 30,000 words! This dictionary helped people learn about the Yahgan culture.
Life at the Mission
Life at the mission was not always easy. The Yahgan people often returned to their homes. The mission faced challenges in keeping them on the island.
Eventually, the main mission moved. It relocated to Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego. This happened in 1886. The Keppel Island mission continued for a while. It finally closed in 1898.
Remaining Structures
Today, you can still see parts of the old mission. The bailiff's house and the chapel are still standing. You can also see stone walls from some of the Yahgan homes.
These ruins are very old. They are among the oldest buildings in the Falkland Islands. They remind us of the island's unique history.
Important Bird Area
Keppel Island is a very important place for birds. BirdLife International has named it an Important Bird Area (IBA). This means it is a key spot for bird conservation.
Many different bird species live and breed here. Some of the special birds include:
- Falkland steamer ducks
- Ruddy-headed geese
- Gentoo penguins (about 1,250 breeding pairs)
- Southern rockhopper penguins (about 780 breeding pairs)
- Magellanic penguins
- Black-browed albatrosses (about 1,800 breeding pairs)
- White-bridled finches
These birds rely on Keppel Island for safe nesting and feeding grounds. Protecting the island helps these amazing birds survive.
Images for kids
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Keppel Island.jpg
A view of Keppel Island's coastline.
See also
In Spanish: Isla Vigía para niños
