Kodiak Island

Largest island of the Kodiak archipelago, off the southwest coast of Alaska; area 9,505 sq km/3,670 sq mi; population (2000 est) 13,900. Fishing, trapping, timber, and tourism are important industries. Kodiak is one of the largest US fishing ports; the main catch is salmon. The island is the home of the Kodiak bear, the largest bear in the world, and the Kodiak king crab.

Russian fur traders first settled the island, which had been the home of the Alutiiq people for about 7,500 years, in 1763. Most of Kodiak Island is now a national wildlife refuge. There is a large US coastguard base here. Kodiak has six entries on the national register of historic places, including the Native American cemetery. About 15% of the population is Native American.