Queen Charlotte Islands

Haida Gwaii
X̱aayda gwaay

Haida Heritage Centre at Kaay Llnagaay
Map of Haida Gwaii
Geography
Location	Pacific Ocean
Coordinates	53°N 132°W / 53°N 132°W / 53; -132Coordinates: 53°N 132°W / 53°N 132°W / 53; -132
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
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.