Lasqueti Island facts for kids
Lasqueti Island (say "lə-SKEE-tee") is a special island located off the east coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It's in an area called the Strait of Georgia. About 500 people call Lasqueti Island home.
To get to the island, you take a ferry that only carries passengers, not cars. This ferry travels from French Creek, which is close to Parksville. The ferry usually runs a few times a day, six days a week, as long as the weather is good.
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History of Lasqueti Island
Lasqueti Island got its name in 1791 from a Spanish naval officer named José María Narváez. He was the commander of a ship called the Santa Saturnina. Narváez named the island after another important Spanish naval officer, Juan Maria Lasqueti.
Life on Lasqueti Island
The community on Lasqueti Island is quite unique. It's known for being a place where people live a bit differently from the usual way in Canada. Lasqueti Island is one of the least developed of the larger Gulf Islands. Most of its roads are not paved.
One of the most interesting things about Lasqueti is that it's not connected to the main power grid. This means homes and businesses on the island create their own electricity. They use things like solar panels, wind turbines, small micro-hydro systems (using water flow), and generators that run on fuel.
In False Bay, where the ferry arrives, you'll find a hotel and a restaurant. There are also a few bed and breakfasts on the island, but they might only be open during certain times of the year. Sometimes, fresh drinking water can be hard to find in different spots on the island.
The island has local markets and a food cooperative, which is like a shared grocery store. These places have special hours that change depending on the season. Lasqueti Island also hosts an Arts Festival every year around Canada Day weekend. This festival and other events showcase local artists, writers, and performers. You might see marching bands or even a circus!
The waters around the island are popular for sailing and sea kayaking. It's known as one of the best, but also most challenging, places for these activities in lower British Columbia. The ocean tides and currents can change quickly, so it's important to be careful.
Safety and Services
The island's police services are handled by the RCMP detachment from Parksville. Lasqueti Island also has its own volunteer fire department with two fire trucks, ready to help if there's a fire.
Island Population
In the 2021 Canadian census, 498 people lived on Lasqueti Island. This was an increase of almost 25% from the 2016 census. The island covers an area of about 73.32 square kilometers (28.3 square miles).
Farming and Fishing
Lasqueti Island has both aquaculture (farming seafood) and agriculture (farming on land).
- Aquaculture includes raising clams, geoducks, oysters, honey mussels, and prawns. There's even a special farm and hatchery just for shellfish.
- Agriculture on the island involves growing seasonal vegetables, fruits in orchards, nuts, and berries. Some farms produce things like blueberries, apple juice, eggs, and even maple syrup.
Plants and Animals
Lasqueti Island has two main types of natural areas. Drier parts of the island have native arbutus trees, cacti, and other plants that don't need much water. Wetter areas are home to red cedar trees. Some very old forests still exist on the island, providing homes for a special mix of plants and animals.
Island Geography
The soil on Lasqueti Island is mostly thin and rocky. It sits on top of solid rock, which is mainly igneous rock like basalt.
Parks and Nature Reserves
Squitty Bay is the only Provincial Park on Lasqueti Island. There is also the Lasqueti Island Ecological Reserve, which protects nature. It's important to know that you are not allowed to camp or have campfires in any of the parks on Lasqueti Island.
Nearby islands also have provincial parks. Jedediah Island Marine Provincial Park and Sabine Channel Provincial Park are two examples. Camping is allowed at both of these parks. Jedediah Island Marine Provincial Park is also home to an old farm from a past settler.
Islands Near Lasqueti Island
Here are some of the islands located close to Lasqueti Island:
- Texada Island
- Jedediah Island
- Finnerty Islands
- Jervis Island
- Bull Island
- Sangster Island
- Jenkins Island
- Sisters Lighthouse
Images for kids
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A friendly robot.
See also
In Spanish: Isla Lasqueti para niños
