Cortes Island is one of the archipelago known as the Discovery Islands in British Columbia, Canada, which lie beyond the northern end of the Gulf of Georgia, between Vancouver Island and the British Columbia Mainland. Cortes lies on the far side of Quadra Island from the city of Campbell River, separated from Quadra Island by Sutil Channel. To the northeast across Lewis Channel is West Redonda Island, while Desolation Sound lies to the east of Cortes Island and beyond it, the upper end of the Malaspina Peninsula. The island is located roughly halfway between Powell River and Campbell River.
The entire island is part of the traditional territories of the Wei We Kai, Kwiakah, Homalco and Klahoose First Nations, with the office of the Klahoose First Nation located on the island. The island's southern tip is also part of the traditional territory of the Sliammon people.
Cortes, which is in the Sayward Land District, is 25 km (15.5 mi) long, 13 km (8.1 mi) wide, and 130 km2 (50 sq mi) in area. It has a population of 1,042 permanent residents (2006 census). Cortes is the largest of the islands in Electoral Area "B" of the Strathcona Regional District, which governs zoning and septic permits. The island is in the Sunshine Coast Forest District and the Vancouver Island Ministry of Environment's Vancouver Island Region.
The island was named in 1792 during the expedition of Galiano and Valdés, presumably after Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conqueror of Mexico.
Cortes Island is accessed by plane and by ferry: by plane through a non-profit private airstrip Cortes Island (Hansen Airfield) Airport on the south end or by seaplane to many of the islands protected harbours; by ferry from Quadra Island, which is itself accessed from Campbell River on Vancouver Island.
Whaletown, Squirrel Cove and Mansons Landing are communities on the island. Desolation Sound is off the east shore of the island. Forestry, fishing and mining have featured in its history. There is also a campground at Smelt Bay Provincial Park.
Famous quotes containing the word island:
“We approached the Indian Island through the narrow strait called “Cook.” He said, “I ‘xpect we take in some water there, river so high,—never see it so high at this season. Very rough water there, but short; swamp steamboat once. Don’t paddle till I tell you, then you paddle right along.” It was a very short rapid. When we were in the midst of it he shouted “paddle,” and we shot through without taking in a drop.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)