St. Joseph Island
| St. Joseph Island | ||
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| Waters | Lake Huron | |
| Geographical location | 46 ° 13 ′ N , 83 ° 57 ′ W | |
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| length | 30 km | |
| width | 19 km | |
| surface | 365 km² | |
| Highest elevation | Carterton 335 m |
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| Residents | 1821 (2006) 5 inhabitants / km² |
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| main place | Richard's Landing | |
St. Joseph Island is an island in Lake Huron . It belongs to the Algoma District of the Canadian province of Ontario .
The 365 km² island is located near the mouth of the Saint Marys River , which drains Lake Superior to Lake Huron. To the north, St. Joseph Island is separated from mainland Ontario by the St. Joseph Channel . In the south, the Munuscong Channel and Lake Munuscong form the border with the USA . In the southeast is Potagannissing Bay , which is part of the North Channel .
St. Joseph Island has a year-round population of approximately 2000. It is connected to mainland Ontario by the Bernt Gilbertson Bridge . This spans a side bay of the North Channel and crosses Highway 548 .
The largest places on the island are Hilton Beach and Richards Landing . Tourism is the main economic factor. There is also forestry, the production of maple syrup and agriculture. The island is a popular excursion and holiday destination for the residents of nearby Sault Ste. Marie .
history
The location of St. Joseph Island on the then economically important connection to the Upper Lake made it important for trade with the First Nations .
After Mackinac Island was handed over to the United States , the British decided in 1796 to fortify the equally strategically important St. Joseph Island. The British troops from Fort St. Joseph captured the American Fort Mackinac during the British-American War . After the war ended, the fort was abandoned. Today there ( 46 ° 3 ′ 50 ″ N , 83 ° 56 ′ 39 ″ W ), on the southern tip of the island, is Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site of Canada operated by Ontario Parks . There is also a bird sanctuary in the immediate vicinity of the cultural monument.
Churches on St. Joseph Island
See also
