 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (December 2017) |
Native name: Qaluyaaq | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:USA_Alaska_location_map.svg)  Nelson | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Bering Sea |
| Coordinates | 60°38′21″N 164°45′01″W / 60.63917°N 164.75028°W |
| Area | 843 sq mi (2,180 km2) |
| Length | 42 mi (68 km) |
| Width | 35 mi (56 km) |
| Administration | |
United States | |
| State | Alaska |
| Census Area | Bethel |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 1197 (2010) |
| Pop. density | 0.54/km2 (1.4/sq mi) |
Nelson Island (Central Yupik: Qaluyaaq) is an island in the Bethel Census Area of southwestern Alaska. It is 42 miles (68 km) long and 20–35 miles (32–56 km) wide. With an area of 843 square miles (2,183 km2), it is the 15th largest island in the United States. It is separated from the Alaska mainland to its north by the Ningaluk River, to its east by the Kolavinarak River and from Nunivak Island to its southwest by the Etolin Strait.
Nelson Island has four permanent communities along its coast:
Umkumiut, a seasonally occupied fish camp is also located on the island.[1]
A snowmobile trail connects the Tununak and Nightmute in the winter. These three communities comprise the entire population of the island at 1,065 inhabitants as of the 2000 census. The largest community is Toksook Bay. The rest of the island, over 77 percent of its area, is unpopulated.
The village of Newtok, on the mainland across the Ningaluk River north of the island, is in the process of being moved to Nelson Island, due to erosion of the water table in the area where Newtok is currently located.
The natives are Yupiit, who maintain a predominantly traditional diet, fishing and hunting musk ox and caribou.
- ^ Fienup-Riordan, Ann; Rearden, Alice (2003). ""Kenekngamceci Qanrutamceci (We Talk to You Because We Love You)": Yup'ik "Culturalism" at the Umkumiut Culture Camp". Arctic Anthropology. 40 (2). Retrieved April 5, 2024.