King Island (British Columbia) facts for kids

King Island is a large island located off the coast of British Columbia, a province in Canada. It sits south of Dean Channel and is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of Bella Bella. Several other islands are between King Island and the open waters of Queen Charlotte Sound.

King Island is separated from the mainland by different water channels. To the north, you'll find Dean Channel. To the south, there's Burke Channel, and to the east, Labouchere Channel. Fisher Channel, which is like an extension of Dean Channel, separates King Island from islands to its west. These include Denny Island and Hunter Island. Fisher Channel and Burke Channel meet at the southern tip of King Island, forming Fitz Hugh Sound.

In the Nuxalk language, the island has a special name: Nuxalknalus. This means "centre of Nuxalk Territory," showing its importance to the Nuxalk people.

Island Size

King Island covers an area of 808 square kilometers (312 square miles). This makes it the seventh largest island in all of British Columbia. It's a significant piece of land in the region.

How King Island Got Its Name

The island was officially named in 1793 by George Vancouver. He was a famous explorer and a captain in the Royal Navy. Vancouver named the island to honor Captain James King. George Vancouver had served under Captain King as a young officer. This was during the third voyage of the famous explorer James Cook on the ship Discovery.

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