Sutil Channel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sutil Channel |
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| French: Canal Sutil | |
Looking up Sutil Channel from Quadra Island
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 Sutil Channel
Location in British Columbia
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Location of Sutil Channel among the Discovery Islands
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| Location | Discovery Islands, British Columbia |
| Coordinates | 50°8′N 125°4′W / 50.133°N 125.067°W |
| Type | Strait |
| Ocean/sea sources | Salish Sea |
| Islands | Coulter Island, Hill Island, Marina Island, Penn Islands |
Sutil Channel, also known as Canal Sutil in French, is a wide waterway located in the beautiful Discovery Islands of British Columbia, Canada. It's like a natural highway for boats, connecting different parts of the ocean.
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Why is it Called Sutil Channel?
This channel got its name around 1864 from Captain George Henry Richards. He named it after a ship called Sutil. This ship was used by a Spanish explorer named Dionisio Alcalá Galiano in 1792. Galiano explored this area a long time ago.
There is also a group of small islands in Sutil Channel called the Subtle Islands. These islands are also named after Galiano's ship, with "Sutil" being translated into English as "Subtle."
Where is Sutil Channel Located?
Sutil Channel is found among the Discovery Islands. It lies between Cortes Island on its east side. To its west are Quadra Island and Read Island.
How Big is the Channel?
The channel connects Calm Channel to the north. In the south, it joins the large Strait of Georgia. Another channel, Hoskyn Channel, branches off to the northwest. This branch is between Read Island and Quadra Island.
A place called Van Densp Inlet also branches off from the northern end. It cuts into Cortes Island from the northwest. The southern edge of Sutil Channel is a line between Francisco Point on Quadra Island and Sutil Point on Cortes Island. Sometimes Cape Mudge is mentioned instead of Francisco Point.
The channel is wide in the south. It becomes narrower as you go north. It eventually joins Calm Channel near the Rendezvous Islands. A town called Whaletown is located on Cortes Island along the channel.
What are the Main Features?
Sutil Channel has several bays. These include Burwood Bay, Carrington Bay, Coulter Bay, Evans Bay, George Harbour, and Manson Bay.
There are also important islands within the channel. These are Coulter Island, Hill Island, Marina Island, and the Penn Islands.
Water in the Channel
The Penn Islands in Sutil Channel mark part of the northern edge of the Salish Sea. The Salish Sea is a large network of coastal waterways. It includes the Strait of Georgia, Puget Sound, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
