Digges Islands

Digges Islands

Digges Islands identified by No. 1 and 2.
Geography
Location	Digges Sound, an arm of Hudson Bay
Coordinates	62°34′59″N 77°49′59″W / 62.58306°N 77.83306°W / 62.58306; -77.83306 (Digges Islands)
Archipelago	Canadian Arctic Archipelago
Area	91 km2 (35.1 sq mi)
Country
Canada
Nunavut	Nunavut
Region	Qikiqtaaluk
Demographics
Population	Uninhabited

The Digges Islands^[1] are members of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago in the territory of Nunavut. The two islands, West Digges and East Digges, are located in Digges Sound, an arm of Hudson Bay, where the strong currents of the bay meet Hudson Strait.

The hamlet of Ivujivik, on the Ungava Peninsula, is south of the islands. East Digges Island is closer to the northern tip of the Ungava Peninsula than West Digges. Mansel Island is to the southwest, while Nottingham Island is to the north.

The islands' rocky cliffs topography is ideal for seabirds; Thick-billed Murre colonies are abundant.

Arctic exploration

In 1610, the first recorded encounter between Europeans and Nunavik Inuit occurred on Digges Islands during Henry Hudson's last expedition.^[2] Hudson named many Arctic points after patrons who financed the voyage, including Dudley Digges, the namesake of the Digges Islands.

The area was explored again soon after by Jens Munk during his 1619 voyage.^[3]

References

1. ^ "285 - Digges Islands, Nunavut". Atlas of Canada. http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/search/search_results?expression=islands. Retrieved 2008-06-10. 
2. ^ "ATTRACTIONS". nunavik-tourism.com. http://www.nunavik-tourism.com/Ivujivik.aspx. Retrieved 2008-06-22. 
3. ^ "MUNK (Munck), JENS ERIKSEN, Danish". Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online. http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=481. Retrieved 2008-06-22. 

External links

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