List of islands of Massachusetts facts for kids

Rainsford Island is part of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, a special park in Boston Harbor, Massachusetts.

The islands of Massachusetts are incredibly varied! They range from tiny, almost underwater rocks, like Abbott Rock, to large, famous islands such as Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. These bigger islands are very popular places to visit.

Some islands in Massachusetts have changed a lot over time. For example, some islands used to be hills in central Massachusetts. In the 1930s, a river was dammed to create the Quabbin Reservoir. This huge lake was made to supply water to the Boston metropolitan area. When the reservoir filled up, these hills became islands!

Other islands, like Castle Island, Deer Island, and Nut Island in Boston Harbor, are now connected to the mainland. They are still called islands, but they are actually part of the land. Castle and Nut Islands became peninsulas because of "land reclamation." This means new land was created by filling in parts of the water. Deer Island was connected to the mainland by a big storm called the New England Hurricane of 1938.

Even some islands that seem to have disappeared are still on the list! Governors Island and Apple Island are now under the runways of Logan International Airport. Many of the Boston Harbor islands are part of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. This is a special park that protects these unique places.

Most of Massachusetts' islands are in or near the Atlantic Ocean. However, some islands are found in the Connecticut River in western Massachusetts. A few others are surrounded by natural or man-made lakes, ponds, and wetlands.

Exploring Massachusetts' Islands

Massachusetts has many islands, each with its own unique features. Here are some notable examples:

See also

• Islands of the Northeast United States