 Closeup of Akimiski Island | |
  Akimiski Island  Akimiski Island | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Nunavut |
| Coordinates | 53°00′30″N081°16′30″W / 53.00833°N 81.27500°W /53.00833; -81.27500[1] |
| Archipelago | Arctic Archipelago |
| Area | 3,001 km2 (1,159 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 34 m (112 ft) |
| Administration | |
Canada | |
| Territory | Nunavut |
| Region | Qikiqtaaluk |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
Akimiski Island[1] is the largest island inJames Bay (a southeasterly extension ofHudson Bay), Canada, which is part of theQikiqtaaluk Region of the territory ofNunavut. It has an area of 3,001 km2 (1,159 sq mi), making it the163rd largest island in the world, andCanada's 29th largest island. Akimiski Island is 19 km (12 mi) from the province ofOntario. From the western side of the island, the Ontario coastline is visible.
The island's name isSwampy Cree[1] for "land across the water".[2]
The island has no year-round human inhabitants. The surface of Akimiski is flat and slopes gradually to the north. Most of the vegetation that covers the island consists oflichen,moss,sedges, and dwarfblack spruce. The island is a coastal wetland that includesmudflats, tidal marshes, and tidal mudflats. Freshwater streams that flow into southwestern James Bay carry sediments and abundant nutrients that help to sustain the productive waterfowl habitat around Akimiski Island.
The Akimiski Island Group includes Akimiski, Gasket, and Gullery islands; Albert Shoal; and the Akimiski Strait Isles.
| Climate data for Akimiski Island | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −14 (7) | −12 (10) | −6 (21) | 1 (34) | 10 (50) | 17 (63) | 19 (66) | 19 (66) | 13 (55) | 6 (43) | −1 (30) | −9 (16) | 4 (38) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −23 (−9) | −22 (−8) | −16 (3) | −7 (19) | −1 (30) | 3 (37) | 6 (43) | 8 (46) | 5 (41) | 1 (34) | −6 (21) | −17 (1) | −6 (22) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 23 (0.9) | 18 (0.7) | 30 (1.2) | 35 (1.4) | 44 (1.7) | 57 (2.2) | 58 (2.3) | 56 (2.2) | 55 (2.2) | 60 (2.4) | 45 (1.8) | 27 (1.1) | 508 (20.1) |
| Source:[4] | |||||||||||||
Akimiski Island is the site of theAkimiski Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary, a CanadianImportant Bird Area, site #NU036 (53°10′12″N081°19′48″W / 53.17000°N 81.33000°W /53.17000; -81.33000 (Bird area site #NU036 (Akimiski Island))). Its eastern portion is also a federalMigratory Bird Sanctuary, and much of the coastline is aKey Migratory Bird Terrestrial Habitat site.[3]
The coastal waters andwetlands of Akimiski Island (and James Bay in general) are important feeding grounds for many varieties ofmigratory birds.[5] Notable species include:[3]
Because James Bay and Hudson Bay are funnel-shaped, migrating birds from theArctic concentrate in this area. During fall migration, an abundance of birds with both adults and young are present. In the springtime, the birds tend to reside in the southern areas of James Bay until the northern section thaws.
Among mammals,ringed seals,polar bears, andbeluga whales can be found in the area.[6]