Channel Islands (California)

Channel Islands
Spanish: Archipiélago del Norte

Geography
Location	Pacific Ocean
Total islands	8
Area	350.89 sq mi (908.8 km2)
Highest elevation	2,429 ft (740.4 m)
Highest point	Devils Peak, Santa Cruz Island
Administration
United States
State	California
Counties	Santa Barbara Ventura Los Angeles
Largest settlement	Avalon (pop. 3,728)
Demographics
Population	4,603 (2010)

The Channel Islands (Spanish: islas del Canal, Archipiélago del Norte) are an eight-island archipelago located within the Southern California Bight in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of California. They define the Santa Barbara Channel, which sits between the islands and the California mainland. The four Northern Channel Islands are part of the Transverse Ranges geologic province, and the four Southern Channel Islands are part of the Peninsular Ranges province.^[1] Five of the islands are within the Channel Islands National Park, and the waters surrounding these islands make up Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. The Nature Conservancy was instrumental in establishing the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.

The Chumash and Tongva Native Americans who lived later on the islands may be the descendants of the original inhabitants, but they were then displaced by Spaniards who used the islands for fishing and agriculture. The Channel Islands and the surrounding waters house a diverse ecosystem with many endemic species and subspecies. The islands harbor 150 unique species of plants.^[2]

Two of the islands, San Clemente Island and San Nicolas Island, are used by the US Navy as training grounds, weapons test sites, and as a strategic defensive locations.^[3]