San Juan Islands

San Juan Islands
a group of islands between NW Washington and SE Vancouver Island, Canada: a part of Washington.

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      archipelago of more than 170 islands, comprising San Juan county, northwestern Washington, U.S., in upper Puget Sound. The islands are near the Canadian border, south of the Strait of Georgia and east of Juan de Fuca Strait. Part of a submerged mountain chain, the islands were explored (1790–92) and named by the Spanish Francisco Eliza expedition. Visited by George Vancouver (Vancouver, George) in 1792, the main islands (including Orcas, San Juan, and Lopez) were occupied for a time by the Hudson's Bay Company. Following the bloodless “Pig War” of 1859 (precipitated by a marauding British pig in an American potato patch and involving American forces commanded by Captain George E. Pickett (Pickett, George Edward), who would be better known as a Confederate general during the U.S. Civil War), San Juan Island was occupied by both British and American forces for 12 years. San Juan Island National Historic Park, divided into English and American camps, commemorates this period. The islands were awarded to the United States (1872) after settlement of a boundary dispute. Orcas Island includes Moran State Park and Mount Constitution (2,400 feet [730 metres]), highest point on the islands. Linked by ferry services, the islands have had extensive summer resort development. Friday Harbor, largest town and county seat, is the base for a fishing fleet and site of the University of Washington Oceanographic Laboratory. Pop. (1990) 10,035; (2000) 14,077.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • San Juan Islands — Grau eingefärbte Inseln: San Juan Islands Gewässer Pazifischer Ozean …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • San Juan Islands — group of islands in NW Wash., between the Strait of Georgia & Puget Sound …   English World dictionary

  • San Juan Islands — The San Juan Islands are a part of the San Juan Archipelago in the northwest corner of the continental United States. The archipelago is split into two groups of islands based on national sovereignty. San Juan Islands are part of the U.S. state… …   Wikipedia

  • San Juan Islands — San′ Juan′ Is′lands n. pl. geg a group of islands in NW Washington between SE Vancouver Island and the mainland …   From formal English to slang

  • San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge — Sp Sán Vòno Salų nacionãlinis gamtõs rezervãtas Ap San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge L JAV (Vašingtono v ja) …   Pasaulio vietovardžiai. Internetinė duomenų bazė

  • San Juan Islands — geographical name islands NW Washington between Vancouver Island & the mainland …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • San Juan Islands — plural noun a group of islands between north western Washington, US, and south eastern Vancouver Island, Canada; a part of Washington …  

  • San Juan Islands — a group of islands between NW Washington and SE Vancouver Island, Canada: a part of Washington …   Useful english dictionary

  • Mitchell Bay Band of San Juan Islands — Die Mitchell Bay Band of San Juan Islands ist eine der von der Regierung der Vereinigten Staaten nicht als Indianerstamm anerkannten Gruppen im Bundesstaat Washington. Fälschlicherweise gelten sie gelegentlich als vom Bundesstaat anerkannt[1],… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Goose Island (San Juan Islands) — Goose Island is one of the San Juan Islands in San Juan County, Washington, USA. The uninhabited island is only 3.789 acres (15,334 m²), and is located at latitude 48° 27 29 N, longitude 122° 57 19 W, off the southeastern tip of San Juan Island,… …   Wikipedia

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