Shelter Island (Alaska) facts for kids
North end of Shelter Island (2011)
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 Shelter Island
Location in Alaska
Shelter Island
Location in North America
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| Coordinates | 58°25′00″N 134°51′15″W / 58.41667°N 134.85417°W |
| Archipelago | Alexander Archipelago |
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United States
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| State | Alaska |
Shelter Island is a beautiful island located in the Alexander Archipelago in Alaska, United States. It sits to the northwest of Juneau, Alaska, which is the capital city of Alaska. The island is found between two water channels called Favorite Channel and Saginaw Channel.
Contents
Discovering Shelter Island
Shelter Island was officially named in 1869. This name was given by Commander R. W. Meade, who was an officer in the United States Navy.
Early Explorers
The very first European to see Shelter Island was Joseph Whidbey. He was the master of a ship called HMS Discovery. This happened in 1794 during a big journey led by George Vancouver. This journey, known as the Vancouver Expedition, explored many parts of the Pacific Ocean between 1791 and 1795.
Wildlife Around Shelter Island
The waters around Shelter Island are home to amazing marine animals. One of the most impressive is the Humpback whale. These large whales are known for their incredible "breaching" behavior. This is when they leap almost completely out of the water!
Humpback Whales Breaching
Breaching is a spectacular sight. Humpback whales do this for different reasons. It could be to communicate with other whales, to remove parasites from their skin, or just for fun. Seeing a humpback whale breach near Shelter Island is an unforgettable experience.
Gallery
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Humpback whale breaching just off South Shelter Island
