Page 218 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Alaska

216  ALASK A AREA B Y AREA

e Pribilof Islands
St. Paul
In 1786, Gerassim Pribilof claimed the Pribilof Island
Islands for Russia, and set up Russian trade
interests based on the large fur seal colonies St. Paul
he found there. These five islands in the
middle of the Bering Sea have been dubbed
the “Northern Galapagos” due to their dense Bering Sea
concentra tions of breeding pinnipeds and
nesting birds. While the larger islands of St. Paul
and St. George have small Aleut communities,
Otter Island, Walrus Island, and Sea Lion Rock are
inhab ited only by wildlife. Bird-watching groups
dominate island tourism, but an increasing number of
visitors also come to appreciate the local Aleut culture, St. George
the profusion of summer wildflowers across the volcanic
landscapes, and the stark beauty of the islands.

St. George Island

0 km 10
0 miles 10
Key
Minor road
Village houses and the Russian Orthodox church, St. Paul Island
St. Paul Island herds, vol canic forma tions, As with St. Paul Island, the
* 480. ~ g n Tanadgusix numerous small lakes, and a beautiful Russian Orthodox
Corporation, PO Box 88, St. Paul; changing tableau of wildflowers. church of St. George the Martyr
546-3100. 8 0 = _ St. Peter While it is possi ble to visit the dominates the local social scene
and Paul Feast Day (Jul 12). island indepen dently, tours are and is one of the island’s main
® Permits needed to camp on available only through St. Paul attractions. Hiking around St.
the island; see ∑ tanadgusix.com Island Tours, operated by the George or camping are other
St. Paul Island Tours: Tel 278-2312, Native Tanadgusix Corporation. interesting options, but it is
(877) 424-5637. ∑ stpaultour.com
worth noting that there are few
St. Paul Island, with an area St. George Island roads or trails, and in places, the
of only just over 40 sq miles * 100. ~ g n St. George Tanaq going can be quite rough. Visits
(104 sq km), lies in the Bering Corporation, St. George, 859-2255 or are organized by the St. George
Sea, 375 miles (600 km) west 4141 B St #301, Anchorage, 272-9886. Tanaq Corporation, which is
of the mainland. The island’s 8 = ® Permits needed to camp headquartered in Anchorage.
only village, also called St. Paul, on the island; issued by the St. George
has the state’s largest Aleut Tanaq Corporation.
∑ stgeorgetanaq.com
community, with 86 per cent
of the population consist ing Lying 47 miles (75 km) south of
of indigenous people. St. Paul, St. George Island is less
Life in the community visited, but is consid ered to be
revolves around the St. Peter even more spec tacular than its
and Paul Russian Orthodox more easily accessed neighbor.
Church, which is the only Much wilder than St. Paul Island,
church on the island. For visi- it has six fur seal rookeries, har-
tors, highlights include forays boring up to 250,000 animals,
to the island’s spectacular and the highest and most pro-
bird cliffs and northern fur lific bird cliffs in the Pribilofs.
seal rookeries, as well as the About 90 percent of the
opportunity to hike through islanders are Aleut or belong Towering cliffs with St. George village
the wild interior to see rein deer to other indigenous groups. in the distance
For hotels and restaurants in this area see p245 and p255 For keys to symbols see back flap

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