Afognak

Afognak (Alutiiq: Agw’aneq;[1] Russian: Афогнакъ)[2] is an island in the Kodiak Archipelago 5 km (3.1 mi) north of Kodiak Island in the U.S. state of Alaska. It is 43 miles (69 km) long from east to west and 23 miles (37 km) wide from north to south and has a land area of 1,812.58 km2 (699.84 sq mi), making it the 18th largest island in the United States. The coast is split by many long, narrow bays. The highest point is 2,546 feet (776 m).

This article is about the island in Alaska. For other uses of the name, see Afognak (disambiguation).
Afognak
Native name:
Ag’waneq
Sealions off the coast of Afognak Island near Kodiak, Alaska.
Afognak
Geography
LocationPacific Ocean
Coordinates58°15′00″N 152°30′00″W
ArchipelagoKodiak Archipelago
Area699.84 sq mi (1,812.6 km2)
Length43 mi (69 km)
Width23 mi (37 km)
Highest elevation2,546 ft (776 m)
Highest pointunnamed
Administration
United States
StateAlaska
BoroughKodiak Island
Largest settlementAleneva (pop. 37)
Demographics
Population169 (2000)
Pop. density0.09/km2 (0.23/sq mi)

The dense spruce forests of Afognak are home to Kodiak bears, Roosevelt elk, and Sitka black-tailed deer. Many people visit the island recreationally for hunting and fishing.

History
Afognak coastline at Kazakof Bay

The United States Census of 1890 noted a series of settlements along the beachline near the Alutiiq village of Ag’waneq (also called Afognak), including Rutkovsky village, inhabited by a group of retired employees of the Russian-American Company.

Ag’waneq was abandoned after the 1964 Good Friday earthquake devastated the island. The descendants of the Alaska Native inhabitants of the island are officially recognized as the Native Village of Afognak. Most of them now live in Port Lions or Kodiak.

In the early 21st century, there are a few small logging camps and fishing lodges on the island. A community of Russian Old Believers live at Aleneva. The economy is based on subsistence and logging. Transportation is provided by float plane from Kodiak to various areas around the island. The 2000 census reported a population of 169 persons.

References
  1. UAF: Alaska Native Place Names
  2. Карта Ледовитого моря и Восточного океана (1844)
Fog moving in on Afognak Island at midnight in July 2009.
Creek flowing out of lower Malina Lake

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