Near Islands

In this article, we are going to deeply explore the topic of Near Islands, a topic that has captured the attention of many people in recent years. Near Islands has generated great interest and debate in different areas, from science to politics, including popular culture. Throughout this article, we will examine the different aspects of Near Islands, from its origins and evolution, to its impact on today's society. Additionally, we will discuss the opinions and perspectives of experts on the topic, as well as the personal experiences of those who have been directly involved with Near Islands. This article aims to provide readers with a broad understanding of Near Islands and encourage critical reflection on this topic that is so relevant today.

Near Islands
Native name:
Sasignan tanangin
Near Islands is located in Alaska
Near Islands
Near Islands
Geography
LocationPacific Ocean
Coordinates52°48′02″N 173°07′54″E / 52.80056°N 173.13167°E / 52.80056; 173.13167
Total islands15
Major islandsAttu, Agattu
Area441.618 sq mi (1,143.79 km2)
Length25 mi (40 km)
Administration
United States
StateAlaska
Demographics
Population>47 (2000)
Ethnic groupsAleut
Map of the western Aleutian Islands, showing the Near Islands on the left: Attu Island (1), Agattu Island (2), Alaid Island (3), Nizki Island (4), and Shemya Island (5).

The Near Islands or Sasignan Islands (Aleut: Sasignan tanangin, Russian: Ближние острова) are a group of American islands in the Aleutian Islands in southwestern Alaska, between the Russian Commander Islands to the west and the Rat Islands to the east.

Geography

The largest of the Near Islands are Attu and Agattu, which shelter a few rocks in the channel between them. The other important islands are the Semichi Islands to their northeast, notable among which are Alaid, Nizki and Shemya.

About 20 miles (30 km) to the east-southeast from Shemya are small rocky reefs known as the Ingenstrem Rocks.

The total land area of all of the Near Islands is 1,143.785 km2 (441.618 sq mi), and their total population was 47 persons as of the 2000 census. The only populated island is Shemya; the U.S. Coast Guard station on Attu closed in 2010 and all inhabitants left the island later that year.

In 2017, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake had its epicenter west of the island of Attu.

History

The islands were named Near Islands by Russian explorers in the 18th century because they were the nearest of the Aleutian Islands to Russia (that is, if one excludes the Commander Islands).

During the Second World War, the Imperial Japanese Army occupied the Near Islands in 1942, being the first foreign military to occupy American soil since the War of 1812. American forces retook the islands during the Aleutian Islands Campaign in 1943.

  • Topographic map sheet
    Topographic map sheet
  • Attu Island in 2008
    Attu Island in 2008
  • United States troops hauling supplies on Attu Island in May 1943.
    United States troops hauling supplies on Attu Island in May 1943.

References

  1. ^ Bergsland, K. (1994). Aleut Dictionary. Fairbanks: Alaska Native Language Center.
  2. ^ Samuel Osborne (18 July 2017). "Russia earthquake: Magnitude 7.8 quake off far east coastline triggers US tsunami warning". www.independent.co.uk. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
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