Aleutian Islands, northern reserve

The Aleutian Islands are a picturesque volcanic archipelago located near the coast of Alaska. This article gives basic information and describes some interesting features of this amazing place.

Geographical information

The archipelago includes one hundred and ten islands, which are divided into five groups: Near, Krysia, Andreyanovskie, Four-soled, Fox. The largest Aleutian island is Unimak.

The archipelago is part of Alaska. There are twenty five active volcanoes here, for example, Tanaga, Bolshaya Sitkin, Garela, Kanaga. The height of the highest of them - the volcano Shishaldina - is 2,861 meters.

The climate of the archipelago can be said a little: its type - the subarctic marine, the average temperatures - 14 ° C in February, 12 ° C in August; Also in the summer there are often fogs.

Flora and fauna

Flora: in the lowlands of the islands, grasses and grasses prevail, higher are the hiers, and even higher - the mountain tundra.

Fauna: Originally the archipelago was rich in fur and sea animals, but now almost all these species are endangered, and most of the islands are part of the Alaskan Marine National Reserve.

Population

The indigenous population of the archipelago is the Aleuts. On the islands there are only four settlements: Unalyaska, Adak, Atka, Nikolsky, a total of just over eight thousand people live there. This indicates an extremely low population density in this territory.

Local religion - Christianity, represented by Methodists, Catholics and Orthodox.

The population is mainly engaged in fishing, as well as serving the US military base, located on the island of Adak.

History

In 1741, the Aleutian Islands were first discovered by the second Kamchatka expedition, but landing did not occur. In 1745 a group of sailors led by Nevodchikov came into contact with the Aleuts in the Near Isles. They decided to winter in the bay of the island of Attou, while destroying two villages. Subsequently, the industrialists said that they had accepted the local population for the Chukchi.

Since 1758, trade relations with the inhabitants of the Unalaska and Umnak islands began. In 1772 the first Russian settlement was founded on Unalashka.

In 1867, the islands of America were replenished with the Aleutian ones, as they, together with Alaska, were transferred to US possession under a treaty.

sights

If you decide to visit the Aleutian Islands, then, first of all, you will be amazed by many picturesque views of nature, and most importantly - volcanoes, which are especially beautiful at night. From the huge craters, the pillars of fire burst forth, illuminating the majestic icebergs floating in the dark water. Such an exciting spectacle can be observed every night - eruptions of numerous volcanoes occur quite often.

And if you want to enjoy the island views, then you are waiting for the magnificent flowering valleys. Animals in the interior of the island are small enough, but on the coast you can see seals, fur seals, walruses and a lot of birds.

Also, the Aleutian Islands are known for the fact that they contain ancient burials of the tribe Unangan - the Aleut ancestors. Surprisingly, funeral rituals are almost a complete copy of the ancient Egyptian!