Stuart Island, Alaska facts for kids
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Adjacent bodies of water | Norton Sound |
| Area | 52.195 sq mi (135.18 km2) |
| Length | 9.3 mi (15 km) |
| Width | 6.2 mi (10 km) |
| Administration | |
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United States
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| State | Alaska |
| Borough | Unorganized Borough |
| Census area | Nome Census Area |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 (2000) |
Stuart Island is a special place in Alaska. Its name in the local Yup'ik language is Qikertarpak, which means 'the big island'. In the Inupiaq language, it's called Qikiqtaqpak. This island is located on the southeast side of a large bay called Norton Sound.
Stuart Island is about 9.3 miles (15 kilometers) long and 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) wide. Its total land area is about 52 square miles (135 square kilometers). According to the 2000 census, no people live on Stuart Island permanently. The island got its name, "Stuart's Island," in September 1778 during the third voyage of James Cook, a famous explorer.
Wildlife on Stuart Island
Even though people don't live on Stuart Island, it is home to a group of reindeer. These reindeer are part of a special project. They were brought to the island to live freely. This project helps to raise reindeer for the nearby communities of Stebbins and St. Michael.
Driftwood and the Yukon River
Stuart Island gets a lot of driftwood. This happens because of where the island is located. It sits north and east of the huge Yukon River Delta. Every spring, when the snow melts, the Yukon River floods. This flood carries many trees and logs down the river.
How Driftwood Reaches the Island
After these trees and logs reach the Bering Sea, winds and ocean tides push them. They are moved into Norton Sound. Stuart Island is directly in the path of this driftwood. Its beaches face west, which means they catch a lot of the wood. This driftwood has been a traditional source of firewood for the people living in Stebbins.
