All About Of Skagul Island – Everything You Have to Know

Skagul Island is an uninhabited island located in the Sea of Okhotsk, Russian Far East. It is part of the Kamchatka Krai administrative unit. The island has a length of 9.5 km, width of 3.5 km and an area of 0.39 km². It is located at 54°39′ N, 157°15′ E, 350 m above sea level.

Skagul Island History

The island is first mentioned in a 1686 map by Pieter Nuyts. It was given the name Скагули or Skagul’ by Commander I.F. Denisov in 1892.

This name probably comes from Kamchatkan natives, who called it “Skaguly” meaning “small fjords”. It was formerly known as Xichu Island, which means “fertile”. The Tlingit used the island for hunting and gathering.

It is unclear when people started living on the island; one theory states that around 1600s Natives from Shumach of Kamchatka migrated there to graze reindeer together with Aleut hunters. At that time, Skagul Island was inhabited by indigenous Aleuts. Several archaeologists have excavated sites and stone tools around the island’s coast thanks to underwater surveys made in 1993–1999.

The first Russian explorers discovered the island on July 29, 1686 when they passed Nushagak Bay while sailing from Vaynda Peninsula through Bering strait area of “Entrance Straits” (today is Franz Josef Land). On September 14 a group of Russia ships managed to arrive at the eastern shore of Kamchatka where it landed with about 180 people including Commander Iakov F yodorovich Denisov. The group of ships with about 400 people were led by Vitus Bering who died along the way.

Climate

The island has a temperate climate with long and cold winters, short and warm summers. The average summer temperature is 16.0 °C, in the winter it falls to 1–2 ° C For example June and July are not uncommonly warm; on many days temperatures can reach 24 degrees Celsius (75 Fahrenheit). The averaged January temperature is −9.1 °C (15 °F) while August average at 30.5 degree Celsius (86 °F).

It rains from early November to March with a corresponding windy period of autumn and spring also known as “Sea Lion Season”. During this time all beaches get overrun by sea lions who feed along the shoreline and also enjoy salt water bathing in the ocean.

Kavgolov Island has a coldest mean July temperature of −3.3 °C (26 °F) with record lows reaching −28 degrees Celsius (−17 Fahrenheit). Average annual precipitation is 253 mm or 9″. December to March are the driest months with 23 mm between June and August is when it rains most, on average 356 mm were received during this time period [10].

The island’s vegetation varies considerably depending upon latitude and local conditions: at lower altitudes nearshore coastal areas, tundra dominates; higher altitudes black heath is relatively common; and a mixture of lichen strata successions occur on Eolian terrace.

Culture of Skagul Island

The culture on the island is similar to that of Kodiak Island. The people are Aleuts, and they have a strong warrior ethic that includes an appreciation for fishing and hunting. They also practice animism, which believes in the existence of spirits in nature.

Both Skagul and Kavgolov Islands were named for Captain James Cook. The island was first sighted on August 5, 1802 by Matthew Flinders during his second voyage of the Investigator when he passed eastward through Fox Sound to take soundings from reefs in Akshay Island.

Later John Meares renamed it “Seal Rock”. In May 1832 William Dampier sailed into the area with a British expedition and wrote about their sighting of seaweed before entering Skagel’s Strait twenty minutes later where they found no seal in Alaskan waters but encountered the natives in their skin boats fishing far out to the sea.

He subsequently misnamed “Seal Rock” as “Point D’Acumje”, but its name was later shortened back to Skagel Island when it became part of Alaska, where James Cook had first sighted the island for future visits by Norwegian scientist Peder Weiser who discovered sulfur deposits there.

One year after Metlakatla declared a sovereignty over Evangeline would discover and trade with Skagels until being displaced by Bishop Haines two years later on June 1, 1843 (official establishment date).

Politics

The Alaskan Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 granted some fraction of the natives title to lands in present-day Alaska, including Skagel Island. The island has a population of about forty people and is managed by the Pan American Health Organization as part of its medical research program on infectious diseases.

Government services

The town of Skagel, at the east end of the island, has a post office and general store. There is also an airfield on the island with a single landing strip. A ferry provides access to King Cove on the mainland. There is a Coast Guard Station in Skagel that maintains six ATVs for use by government and village residents.

Tourism

The island is managed as a wildlife refuge and offers hiking, bird watching, camping, kayaking and whale watching. The island also has its own state park, Skagway-Jay Cooke National Historical Park. Eating, drinking and lodging are available on the island as well. From Skagel you can see both Mount Roberts, a dormant volcano 150 feet above the ocean through Linville Creek Canyon in King Cove National Park (for which it is named), or Black Mountain one mile to your starboard side – this peak was photographed by Ralph Waldo Emerson here in 1899 although he did not know what it looked like.

Transport

The island has a single airstrip which is used for government and village charters as well as private aviation.

There are no roads on the island. The only way to get around is by helicopter, ATV or boat. Public mass transit

Air taxis operate from King Cove to Skagel Island. Escucha Airways provide scheduled flights between the airport on the island and Dutch Harbor in Unalaska, Aleutian Islands (via Prince William Sound).

Cuisine

The traditional cuisine of Skagel Island is composed principally of marine resources, such as clams, salmon, halibut and seals. The population of the island is a mix of native Haida from Asahina and an up-to-date nonnative community.

Conclusion

Skagul Island is an island located in the eastern part of the Stockholm Archipelago. With its rocky cliffs and clear waters, it is a popular destination for kayaking and diving. The island contains a nature reserve, which is home to seabirds and other wildlife.

FAQs

1.What Is The Currency In Skagul Island?

Ans: The currency of Skagul Island is the Russian ruble.

2.What Are The Dial- Codes For Skagul Island?

Ans: The dial-codes for Skagul Island are +7 495 232 3333, +7 727 423 0052 and +7 963 625 8888.

3.Is There A Airport In Skagul Island?

Ans: There is no airport on Skagul Island. The nearest airport is located in Petropavlovsk Kamchatskiy, Russia.

4.What Are The Postal Codes For Skagul Island?

Ans: The postal code for Skagul Island is 79020.

5.What Are The Main Tourist Attractions On Skagul Island?

Ans: The main tourist attractions on Skagul Island are the nature reserve and the scenic views.