Nelson Island (Alaska) facts for kids
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Native name:
Qaluyaaq
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 Nelson
Location in Alaska
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| Geography | |
| Location | Bering Sea |
| Coordinates | 60°38′21″N 164°45′01″W / 60.63917°N 164.75028°W |
| Area | 843 sq mi (2,180 km2) |
| Length | 42 mi (68 km) |
| Width | 35 mi (56 km) |
| Administration | |
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United States
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| State | Alaska |
| Census Area | Bethel |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 1197 (2010) |
| Pop. density | 0.54 /km2 (1.4 /sq mi) |
Nelson Island is a large island in southwestern Alaska. It is known as Central Yupik: Qaluyaaq by the local people. The island is about 42 miles (68 km) long and 20–35 miles (32–56 km) wide. It covers an area of 843 square miles (2,183 km2). This makes it the 15th largest island in the United States.
Nelson Island is separated from the mainland of Alaska by rivers. The Ningaluk River is to its north. The Kolavinarak River is to its east. To the southwest, the Etolin Strait separates it from Nunivak Island.
Contents
Life on Nelson Island
Nelson Island has four towns where people live all year round. These towns are located along the coast.
- Tununak
- Toksook Bay
- Nightmute
- Mertarvik
There is also a place called Umkumiut. This is a fish camp used only at certain times of the year.
Travel and Population
During the winter, a snowmobile trail connects Tununak and Nightmute. These three communities were home to 1,065 people in the year 2000. Toksook Bay is the biggest community on the island. Most of Nelson Island, more than 77 percent, does not have people living there.
Moving a Village
The village of Newtok is on the mainland. It is located across the Ningaluk River, north of Nelson Island. This village is currently being moved to Nelson Island. This move is happening because the land where Newtok is now is eroding. This means the ground is washing away.
Native People and Their Way of Life
The native people of Nelson Island are called Yupiit. They mostly eat traditional foods. They get their food by fishing and hunting animals. They hunt musk ox and caribou, which are types of deer.
Island's Name
Nelson Island got its name from Edward William Nelson. He was a scientist who studied nature and people for the Smithsonian Institution. He visited the island in 1878. He learned a lot about the island and its people.
Population History
Nelson Island was counted in the U.S. Census in 1930 and 1940. It was listed as an area without a city government. In 1940, it included five small villages. These were Nevortolemute, Nigtmuit (Nightmute), Pngortalick, Tanunak (Tununak), and Ukak. The island has not been counted as a separate area since 1940.
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 395 | — | |
| 1940 | 254 | −35.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
See also
In Spanish: Isla Nelson (Alaska) para niños
