List of islands of Wisconsin facts for kids
Location of Wisconsin within the United States
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Wisconsin |
| Major islands | Washington Island, Doty Island, Madeline Island, French Island |
| Administration | |
| State |  Wisconsin |
Wisconsin is a state in the United States with many islands. The USGS has counted 431 named islands here. There are also many more islands that don't have names!
Wisconsin has borders with two of the Great Lakes: Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. These big lakes are home to many of the state's islands. The Mississippi River on Wisconsin's western side also has lots of islands. Plus, many other rivers like the Wisconsin River and Fox River have islands too.
Contents
Islands in the Great Lakes
Wisconsin's islands are found in both Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. These large bodies of water create unique island environments.
Lake Michigan Islands
Many of Wisconsin's islands in Lake Michigan are located near the Door Peninsula. This area is known for its beautiful coastline. Some islands are also found in Green Bay.
Washington Island is the biggest island in Lake Michigan that belongs to Wisconsin. It's also home to people all year round, with about 700 residents. You can get to Washington Island by ferry. It even has its own airport for air travel!
Rock Island is a state park. You can only reach this island by taking a ferry from Washington Island. It's a great place to explore nature.
Plum Island has a cool history. It used to be a base for the Coast Guard's Life-Saving Station. It also has historic range lights that helped ships navigate.
The islands around the northern part of the Door Peninsula are actually parts of the Niagara Escarpment. This is a long cliff formation that stretches across several states and even into Canada!
Lake Superior Islands
Wisconsin's northernmost point is on Devils Island. This island is part of the amazing Apostle Islands in Lake Superior. About 300 people live on Madeline Island, which is one of the Apostle Islands. You can get there by ferry or by plane at Major Gilbert Field Airport.
The Apostle Islands are part of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. This means they are protected and managed by the National Park Service. These islands were even featured on Wisconsin's special America the Beautiful quarter coin!
Islands in Inland Lakes and Rivers
Wisconsin has many islands that are not in the Great Lakes. There are 377 named islands in the state's inland lakes, rivers, and marshes. Many more islands don't have names.
More than half of these named islands are found in a few main places. These include the Mississippi River, the Wisconsin River, Beaver Dam Lake, and Horicon Marsh. These areas are rich in water and create many small land areas that become islands.
See also
- Geography of Wisconsin
- Great Lakes
- Islands of the Midwest
