Apostle Islands

Group of 22 islands in southwest Lake Superior, Ashland County, north Wisconsin; area approximately 518 sq km/200 sq mi. The largest and only commercially developed island is Madeline Island. La Pointe, the only island settlement, has a year-round population of (1992) 200, that swells in the summer. The picturesque islands and nearby mainland are designated a national lakeshore area, popular with campers, tourists, and outdoors enthusiasts.

The islands were named by early French missionaries who thought there were 12 in the group.