Kupreanof Island facts for kids
 Kupreanof
Location in Alaska
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| Geography | |
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| Coordinates | 56°47′34″N 133°29′49″W / 56.79278°N 133.49694°W |
| Archipelago | Alexander Archipelago |
| Area | 1,082.18 sq mi (2,802.8 km2) |
| Length | 52 mi (84 km) |
| Width | 20 mi (30 km) |
| Highest elevation | 3,900 ft (1,190 m) |
| Highest point | Sherman Peak |
| Administration | |
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United States
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| State | Alaska |
| Borough/Census Area | Petersburg and Prince of Wales–Hyder |
| Largest settlement | Kake (pop. 710) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 785 (2000) |
| Pop. density | 0.28 /km2 (0.73 /sq mi) |
Kupreanof Island (Russian: Остров Купреянова) is a large island located in southeastern Alaska. It is part of the Alexander Archipelago, a group of islands along the coast. This island is known for its beautiful natural scenery and is home to a few small communities.
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About Kupreanof Island
Kupreanof Island is found in the Alexander Archipelago in southeastern Alaska. It is a significant part of the region's geography.
How Big is the Island?
Kupreanof Island is quite large! It is about 84 kilometers (52 miles) long and 32 kilometers (20 miles) wide. Its total land area is about 2,802.84 square kilometers (1,082.18 square miles). This makes it the 13th largest island in the United States and the 170th largest island in the world.
A part of the island called the Lindenberg Peninsula is on its southeast side. This peninsula is almost separated from the main island by a narrow waterway known as Duncan Canal. In the year 2000, about 785 people lived on Kupreanof Island.
Who Named the Island?
The island was first explored and mapped between 1793 and 1794 by James Johnstone and Joseph Whidbey. They were part of George Vancouver's big expedition that explored the Pacific Northwest from 1791 to 1795.
Kupreanof Island is named after Vice Admiral Ivan Antonovich Kupreianov. He was an important leader who served as the governor of the Russian-American Company's colonies in America from 1836 to 1840. The name "Os(trov) Kupreyanova" (which means "Kupreyanov Island" in Russian) was officially published on a Russian map in 1848.
Towns and Nature on the Island
The biggest town on Kupreanof Island is Kake. It is located on the northwestern side of the island. The only other town is Kupreanof, which is on the eastern side. This smaller town is located right across the Wrangell Narrows from the city of Petersburg, which is on nearby Mitkof Island.
Kupreanof Island is also part of a very large protected area called the Tongass National Forest. This forest is managed by the Petersburg Ranger District. A special part of this forest, known as the Petersburg Creek–Duncan Salt Chuck Wilderness, is located on Kupreanof Island. This wilderness area helps protect the island's natural beauty and wildlife.
