Prince of Wales Island AK (Alaska)

Prince of Wales Island is part of the Alexander Archipelago in Southeast Alaska. With a length of 135 mi (217 km), a width of 45 mi (72 km) and a total area of 2577 mi2 (6674 km2), this Alaskan island is the USA's 4th-largest (after Hawaii, Kodiak Island, Puerto Rico) and the world's 97th-largest. Next by size (the USA's 5th largest) is the Chichagof Island, also located in Alaska.

The other (in the "USA top 10") largest Alaskan islands are Kodiak Island, Prince of Wales Island, Chichagof Island, St Lawrence Island, Admiralty Island, Nunivak Island, Unimak Island and Baranof Island.

Prince of Wales Island AK features steep-sided mountains, with peaks reaching over 3000 ft (914 m), majestic fjords, the Tongass National Forest (the USA's largest) covering most of the island. Other popular tourist places are the protected wilderness parks Karta River Wilderness and South Prince of Wales Wilderness. The island is the only place on Earth where the Northern flying squirrel can be found.

The Island's total population is around 4,000. The largest settlement is Craig (population around 1,000). The port town Klawock has a population of around 800. The village grew with the commercial fishing industry in the region. Hollis is a former mining town (between 1900-1915), then abandoned and re-established in the 1950s as a logging camp. Its current population is around 100 people. Here is located the island's ferry terminal.

Import industries for the locals are logging (on the island's north end, at Labouchere Bay), tourism (sport fishing, luxury cruise ship passengers), commercial fishing (at Craig, Klawock, Hydaburg, Point Baker, Port Protection). During the summer, trollers and seiners both fish for all five species of Pacific salmon. Longliners bring up halibut and black cod. Dungeness crab and shrimp seasons are open throughout the year. During the winter there are dive fisheries for geoducks, sea cucumbers, and sea urchins.

This Alaskan island has a namesake in Canada - Prince of Wales Island (Nunavut).

Prince of Wales Island AK cruise terminal