Tongass Passage facts for kids
Tongass Passage is a narrow waterway, also known as a strait. It is located right on the border between the United States and Canada. This important passage separates Alaska in the U.S. from British Columbia in Canada. You can find it on the southwest side of Wales Island.
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What is Tongass Passage?
A strait is a narrow strip of water that connects two larger bodies of water. Tongass Passage is one such strait. It acts as a natural dividing line between two countries. This makes it a very important geographical feature.
Where is Tongass Passage Located?
Tongass Passage is found in a beautiful, rugged part of North America. It lies between the U.S. state of Alaska and the Canadian province of British Columbia. Specifically, it is on the southwest side of Wales Island. This island is part of British Columbia.
A Border Story: Who Owns What?
For many years, there was a disagreement about who owned the land and waters around Tongass Passage. This kind of disagreement is called a border dispute. The United States and Canada both had claims in this area.
The Alaska Boundary Dispute
Before 1903, the United States claimed Wales Island and another nearby island called Pearse Island. These islands are located near Tongass Passage. Many American-owned fish canneries were built along the shores of the passage during this time. Canneries are factories where fish are processed and preserved in cans.
Settling the Border in 1903
The argument over the border was finally settled in 1903. This agreement is known as the Alaska Boundary Settlement of 1903. In this settlement, Canada's claims to Wales Island and Pearse Island were confirmed. This meant the islands officially became part of Canada.
The settlement also clearly defined the waterways in the area. Tongass Passage, along with Pearse Canal and the Portland Canal, were all officially named "Portland Channel." This term had been used before in an old treaty from 1825. However, its exact meaning was not clear until the 1903 settlement. This agreement helped both countries understand exactly where their borders were in this region.
