Selden Island facts for kids
USGS Map of Selden Island
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 Selden Island
Location in Maryland
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Potomac River |
| Coordinates | 39°04′31″N 77°27′10″W / 39.07528°N 77.45278°W |
| Area | 408 acres (165 ha) |
| Length | 4.0 km (2.49 mi) |
| Width | 0.3–0.5 km (0.19–0.31 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 65 m (213 ft) |
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United States
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| State | Maryland |
| County | Montgomery |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 (2020) |
Selden Island is a large island in the Potomac River. It covers about 408 acres, which is roughly 300 football fields! The island is located about 32 kilometers (20 miles) northwest of Washington, DC.
Selden Island is about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) long. It is also between 0.3 and 0.5 kilometers (a quarter to a third of a mile) wide. Even though it is part of Montgomery County, Maryland, you can only reach it by road from Loudoun County, Virginia.
Contents
A Look into Selden Island's Past
Selden Island has a long history of human activity. People have lived on or visited the island for thousands of years. Scientists have found clues that show this.
Early Inhabitants of Selden Island
Evidence shows that people were active on the island around 1000 BCE. This time is known as the Early Woodland period. During this period, a special type of pottery was made. It is called Selden Island ware. This pottery helps experts understand the people who lived there long ago.
The Walker Prehistoric Village
Later, during the Late Woodland period, a big settlement was on the island. This settlement is known as the Walker Prehistoric Village. It is a very important historical site. In 1975, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes places important to the history of the United States.
Selden Island and Health Research
In 2002, scientists found something interesting on the island. They discovered mosquitoes carrying a parasite called Plasmodium vivax. This parasite causes malaria. This discovery happened after two teenagers in Loudoun County got sick with malaria.
Who Owns Selden Island Now?
For a while, Selden Island was used as a sod farm. A sod farm grows grass that can be rolled up and moved. In 2004, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute bought the island. They added it to their Janelia Farm Research Campus. This campus is a place where scientists do important research.
See also
In Spanish: Isla Selden para niños
