Kaien Island

Kaien Island
Kaien Island, British Columbia
Interactive map of Kaien Island
Geography
Coordinates54°16′58″N 130°18′12″W / 54.28274°N 130.30341°W / 54.28274; -130.30341
Area45 km2 (17 sq mi)
Length11 km (6.8 mi)
Width6 km (3.7 mi)
Highest elevation708 m (2323 ft)
Highest pointMount Hays
Administration
ProvinceBritish Columbia
Regional districtNorth Coast Regional District
Demographics
Ethnic groupsTsimshian

Kaien Island is a Canadian island on the coast of British Columbia, just north of the mouth of the Skeena River and to the south of the Alaska Panhandle. The island has an area of about 45 km2 (11,000 acres), is roughly oval, and about 11 km (6.8 miles) long along its long axis. The island consists of a central mountain ridge, surrounded by coastal lowlands. The dominant central peak is Mount Hays, reaching 708 m (2,323 ft), with a secondary peak, Mount Olfield, reaching 555 metres (1,821 ft) to the northeast.

The island is contained within the North Coast Regional District and is part of the North Coast region. Tidal waters surrounding the island have a wide range which results in extensive exposure of mud flats and rock shoals that are prime habitat for invertebrates and intertidal fish.

Kaien Island is central to the traditional territories of the Tsimshian First Nations, and has been permanently settled for more than 5,000 years. The city of Prince Rupert is on the island. Casey Point is on the western extremity of the island, facing Digby Island, and was the site of one of the coastal defence installations to protect the BC Coast during World War II. Another such installation was at Seal Cove on the island's northern tip.