Aleutian Islands (uh-LOO-shen), chain of rugged, volcanic islands curving c.1,200 mi/1,900 km W from the tip of the Alaska Peninsula and approaching the Komandorski Isls., Russia. A partially submerged continuation of the Aleutian Range, they separate the Bering Sea from the Pacific Ocean. Bounded S by the Aleutian trench, a deep chasm in the ocean floor known as a subduction zone. The Aleutians are composed of 4 main groups: Fox Isls., nearest to the mainland, including Unimak, Unalaska, Umnak, and Akutan; Andreanof Isls., including Amlia, Atka, Adak, Kanaga, and Tanaga; Rat Isls., including Amchitka and Kiska; and Near Isls., smallest and westernmost group, including Agattu and Attu. The Semichi Isls., of which Shemya Isl. is the largest, are nearby. The entire region is characterized by frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The Aleutians have few settlements and few good harbors, most are on the N sides of the isls. to obtain shelter from the N Pacific storms, the most important harbor is Dutch Harbor–Unalaska. The Aleutian low pressure system creates the frequent storms and rains and makes navigation difficult. Temperatures are relatively moderate with heavy rains and frequent fog. Almost completely treeless, the isls. have a luxuriant growth of grasses, bushes, and sedges. Hunting and fishing are the main occupations of the Aleuts. Contrasting ocean currents (from W-E on the N; from E-W on the S) create rich fishing grounds. The Aleutian Isls., which may have contained a pop. of 10,000 to 17,000 people, were visited in 1741 by Vitus Bering, a Dan. explorer employed by Russia. The indigenous Aleuts were exploited by the Rus. trappers and traders who, in search of fur seals, established settlements on the isls. in the late 18th and early 19th cent. The Aleutian Isls. were included in the Alaska purchase in 1867 and at that time became part of the U.S. By then there may have been only 1,400 people left, the result of disease and the impact of the Rus. fur trade in the 18th cent. After the purchase, the U.S. govt. forbade seal trapping off the Aleutians except by the Aleuts. Fishing and fur hunting are now controlled by the Federal govt. Dutch Harbor–Unalaska, one of the few good Aleutian harbors, became a transshipping point for Nome in 1900, after the discovery of gold turned Nome into a boom town. The Aleutian Isls. were important during World War II; in 1940, a U.S. naval base was established at Dutch Harbor. In 1942 the Japanese bombed the base and later occupied Attu, Kiska, and Agattu isls. From bases on Adak (closed 1995) and Amchitka, the U.S. launched a counterattack and regained the isls. in 1943. Research stations and military bases are located on the isls. Most of the isls. are incorporated in the Aleutian Natl. Wildlife Reserve. The Aleutians West Census Area has a (1990) pop. of 9,478. With the exception of Atka and the Unalaska area, the only people on the isls. are U.S. military and civilian personnel. The main settlements are on Unalaska isl. and Adak. Travel to the Aleutians is very difficult.
