Cat Island (Mississippi)

Cat Island

Dunes on the south side of Cat Island
Historical map of the changing geomorphology of Cat Island
Cat Island
Geography
Location	Gulf of Mexico
Coordinates	30°13′N 89°06′W / 30.217°N 89.100°W / 30.217; -89.100
Archipelago	Mississippi–Alabama barrier islands
Administration
United States
State	Mississippi
County	Harrison County

Cat Island is a barrier island off the Gulf Coast of the United States, one of the Mississippi–Alabama barrier islands. The island's name comes from French explorers who mistook raccoons (which were not introduced to Europe until the 20th century) for cats. It is unknown who discovered Cat Island. It is within the jurisdiction of Harrison County, Mississippi. The western half and southern tip of the island is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.