Cortes Island

Cortes Island
The Gorge of Cortes Island
Cortes Island is located at the northern end of the Strait of Georgia
Geography
LocationSalish Sea
Coordinates50°07′N 124°58′W / 50.117°N 124.967°W / 50.117; -124.967
ArchipelagoDiscovery Islands
Area130 km2 (50 sq mi)
Length25 km (15.5 mi)
Width13 km (8.1 mi)
Administration
ProvinceBritish Columbia
Regional districtStrathcona
Demographics
Population1,035 (2016[1])
Ethnic groupsWei We Kai, Kwiakah, Homalco and Klahoose First Nations

Cortes Island is an island in the Discovery Islands archipelago on the coast of British Columbia, Canada. The island is 25 km (16 mi) long, 13 km (8 mi) wide, and 130 km2 (50 sq mi) in area. It has a population of 1,035 permanent residents (2016 census).[1] Cortes Island lies within Electoral Area B of the Strathcona Regional District,[2] which provides water and sewage systems, fire protection, land use planning, parks, recreation, and emergency response.[3]

Access to Cortes Island is by plane or ferry - by seaplane to many of the island's protected harbours; by ferry from Quadra Island, which is itself accessed from Campbell River on Vancouver Island via BC Ferries.

Cortes Island is a tourist destination in the summers, with many people visiting to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and warm weather.

  1. ^ a b Statistics Canada population figures
  2. ^ "Description of Strathcona Regional District Areas' Boundaries". Strathcona Regional District. Retrieved September 17, 2013.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "About Us". Strathcona Regional District. Archived from the original on July 17, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2013.