Andreanof Islands

The Andreanof Islands (Aleut: Niiĝuĝim tanangis,^[1] Russian: Андреяновские острова) are a group of islands in the Aleutian Islands in southwestern Alaska, United States. They are located at about 52° North and 172°57' to 179°09' West.

Geography

The Andreanof Islands are located between Amchitka Pass and the Rat Islands group to the west, and Amukta Pass and the Islands of Four Mountains group to the east. The islands extend about 275 miles (440 km). The total land area of all islands (including the Delarof Islands) is 1,515.349 sq mi (3,924.737 km²).

The total population was 412 persons as of the 2000 census, the vast majority in the city of Adak on Adak Island.

Islands

The Delarof Islands are a subgroup of the Andreanof Islands group as well as the westernmost islands in the group.

The largest islands in the group are, from west to east, Gareloi Island, Tanaga Island, Kanaga, Adak Island, Kagalaska Island, Great Sitkin Island, Atka Island, Amlia, and Seguam Island.

The islands are usually foggy and treeless because of the almost constant wind.

History

The Andreanof Islands were named after the Russian navigator, Andreyan (Hadrian) Tolstykh, who was the first European to explore the islands in 1761.

There were several United States military bases on the islands during World War II. The bases on Adak were enlarged and made permanent after the war but were closed in 1995.