Haida Heritage Centre at Kaay Llnagaay
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Map of Haida Gwaii | |
Geography | |
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Location | Pacific Ocean |
Coordinates | 53°N 132°W / 53°N 132°WCoordinates: 53°N 132°W / 53°N 132°W |
Total islands | c. 150 |
Major islands | Graham Island, Moresby Island |
Area | 10,180 km2 (3,930 sq mi) |
Highest elevation | 1,164 m (3,819 ft) |
Highest point | Mount Moresby |
Administration | |
Canada
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Province | British Columbia |
Largest settlement | Queen Charlotte City (pop. 948) |
Demographics | |
Population | 4,761 (2008) |
Pop. density | 0.468 /km2 (1.212 /sq mi) |
Additional information | |
Time zone: Pacific |
Haida Gwaii (/ˈhaɪdə ɡwaɪ/ HY-də GWY; Haida: 'X̱aayda gwaay'; literally "Islands of the Haida people"), formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands and the Charlottes, is an archipelago on the North Coast of British Columbia, Canada. Approximately half of its population is of the Haida people.
The islands are separated from the British Columbia mainland to the east by Hecate Strait. Vancouver Island lies to the south, across Queen Charlotte Sound, while the U.S. state of Alaska is to the north, across the disputed Dixon Entrance.
Haida Gwaii consists of two main islands: Graham Island in the north and Moresby Island in the south, along with approximately 150 smaller islands with a total landmass of 10,180 km2 (3,931 sq mi). Other major islands include Anthony, Langara, Louise, Lyell, Burnaby, and Kunghit Islands. A parallel name to "Queen Charlotte Islands" used by American traders, who frequented the islands in the days of the marine fur trade and considered the islands part of the US-claimed Oregon Country, was Washington's Isles.