Middle Island (Ontario)

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Middle Island
Location of Middle Island
Location of Middle Island
Waters Lake Erie
Geographical location 41 ° 40 ′ 57 "  N , 82 ° 40 ′ 58"  W Coordinates: 41 ° 40 ′ 57 "  N , 82 ° 40 ′ 58"  W
Middle Island (Ontario) (Ontario)
Middle Island (Ontario)
length 1.1 km
width 270 m
surface 18 ha
Residents uninhabited
Aerial view from the west
Aerial view from the west

Middle Island is an inland sea island in Canada . It is located in the south of the province of Ontario in Lake Erie about 4 km south of the larger neighboring island of Pelee Island . The island is 18 hectares and is the southernmost point of Canada. The border with the USA runs not far from the southern tip of the island. The island is uninhabited, is under nature protection and forms part of the Point Pelee National Park .

Excavations carried out in 1982 showed that the island was inhabited from the 11th to the 16th century, one site goes back to the year 500 BC. BC back. At the end of the 19th century viticulture was practiced for several decades . A lighthouse was in operation from 1872 to 1918 , of which only the stone foundation has been preserved. At the time of the US prohibition , Middle Island was a hub for alcohol smuggling.

The island, which is an important resting place for migratory birds and is home to numerous cormorants , was owned by US private individuals until 1999. After the death of the last owner, his heirs held an auction. As a result, the island came into the possession of the nature conservation organization Nature Conservancy of Canada . She handed this over to the National Park Authority Parks Canada on September 6, 2000 .

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