Walrus Island (Pribilof Islands) facts for kids
Walrus Island is a tiny piece of land in the middle of the Bering Sea, off the coast of Alaska. It is so small that no one lives there! This island is part of a group called the Pribilof Islands.
About Walrus Island
Walrus Island is a very small island, sometimes called an "islet." It is located about 15 kilometers (about 9 miles) east of a larger island called Saint Paul Island in Alaska. This little island is found in the Bering Sea, which is a big part of the Pacific Ocean. It belongs to a group of islands known as the Pribilof Islands.
Size and Shape
Walrus Island is about 2,130 feet (649 meters) long. Its total area is about 50.3 acres, which is roughly the size of 38 football fields. Even though it's not very big, it's an important spot for wildlife.
Why is it called Walrus Island?
The name "Walrus Island" comes from the Russian language. Long ago, a Russian naval officer named Lieutenant Vasiliev published a map in 1829. On this map, the island was called "Ostrov Morzhovoy," which means "Walrus Island" in Russian. This name was chosen because walruses were often seen in the area.
Other Walrus Islands
It's easy to get Walrus Island confused with other places that have similar names! There are other islands called Walrus Island in Alaska. For example, there are the Walrus Islands in the Walrus Islands State Game Sanctuary, and another Walrus Island near Bristol Bay. But the Walrus Island we are talking about here is the one near Saint Paul Island in the Pribilof Islands.
