The Royal Geographical Society Islands (Inuinnaqtun: Hiurarjuaq; "big sand"[1]) formerly the Royal Geographical Society Group are a group of islands lying west of King William Island in Victoria Strait, within the Queen Maud Gulf, in the north Canadian territory of Nunavut.
Native name: Hiurarjuaq | |
---|---|
Geography | |
Location | Northern Canada |
Coordinates | 68°56′N 100°15′W / 68.933°N 100.250°W |
Area | 458 km2 (177 sq mi) |
Administration | |
Canada | |
Territory | Nunavut |
Demographics | |
Population | Uninhabited |
Ethnic groups | Inuit |
The largest island, Royal Geographical Society Island, has an area of 458 km2 (177 sq mi).
Davidson Point is named after geographer George Davidson. The islands were named by Captain Roald Amundsen for the Royal Geographical Society, a sponsor.[1][2] According to Amundsen the islands had been reported by John Rae, who had not recognised them as islands.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b Book Excerpt from Ice Ghosts: The Epic Hunt for the Lost Franklin Expedition
- ^ Davenpor, Charles P. (1937). "Biographical memoir of George Davidson". National Academy of Sciences. nap.edu. Retrieved 2008-05-12.[permanent dead link ]
- ^ Amundsen, Roald (22 May 2014). "IX". The North West Passage. Vol. 2. Cambridge University Press. pp. 85–86. ISBN 9781108071604.