Miquelon Island
| Native name: Île Miquelon | |
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Miquelon Island in the center, south of Le Cap and north of Langlade Island
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 Miquelon
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| Geography | |
| Location | Atlantic Ocean |
| Coordinates | 47°03′26.1″N 56°20′19.2″W / 47.057250°N 56.338667°WCoordinates: 47°03′26.1″N 56°20′19.2″W / 47.057250°N 56.338667°W |
| Archipelago | Saint Pierre and Miquelon |
| Adjacent bodies of water | Gulf of Saint Lawrence |
| Area | 110 km2 (42 sq mi) |
| Highest point | Morne de la Grande Montagne (240m) |
| Administration | |
| Overseas collectivity | Saint Pierre and Miquelon |
| Largest Commune | Miquelon-Langlade |
| Demographics | |
| Demonym | Miquelonnais |
| Population | 626 (2012) |
| Languages | French |
| Additional information | |
| Official website | http://www.miquelon-langlade.com |
Miquelon (French: Île Miquelon) also known as Grande Miquelon, is one of the islands of the archipelago of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, an Overseas collectivity of France located in the Atlantic Ocean, 22 kilometres (14 mi) south of the coast of Newfoundland. Miquelon is situated between Le Cap Island to the north and Langlade Island (also called Petite Miquelon) to the south.
The name Miquelon purportedly derived from the Basque nicknames for "Michael" (Mikel). In 1579, the names Micquetõ and Micquelle appeared for the first time in French Basque mariner Martin de Hoyarçabal's maritime pilot. The name evolved over time into Miclon, Micklon, and finally Miquelon (Mikelune in Basque).
Miquelon's coastline includes numerous sand and pebbles beaches enclosing lagoons, as well as high rocky cliffs standing up to 25 metres (82 ft) on the east coast. Its geology consists of slightly metamorphosed post-Ordovician volcanic rocks, mainly rhyolites with breccias, andesites and basalts. On the south of the Miquelon Island is a large lagoon known as the Grand Barachois, which is host to a large population of seals and other wildlife. Miquelon is also a well known destination for bird watching.
Miquelon is connected to Le Cap by a tombolo 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) long and in places less than 100 metres (330 ft) wide. To the south, Miquelon is connected to Langlade Island by a sandy isthmus that formed in the 18th century that is 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) in length from 100 metres (330 ft) to 6 metres (20 ft) wide.
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Wikipedia