Sunset over one of the smallest of the Thousand Islands. It supports one tree and two shrubs.

The Thousand Islands is the name of an archipelago of islands that straddle the U.S.-Canada border in the Saint Lawrence River as it emerges from the northeast corner of Lake Ontario. An island (ˈaɪlənd or isle (/ˈaɪl/ is any piece of land that is completely surrounded by water in two dimensions above high tide and isolated from other significant The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Saint Lawrence River (in French: fleuve Saint-Laurent; Kahnawáˀkye in Tuscarora, Kaniatarowanenneh meaning big waterway Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. They stretch for about 50 miles (80 km) downstream from Kingston, Ontario. Kingston Ontario is a Canadian city located at the eastern end of Lake Ontario, where the lake runs into the St The Canadian islands are in the province of Ontario. Ontario (ɒnˈtɛrioʊ is a province located in the central part of Canada, the largest by population and second largest after Quebec The U. S. islands are in the state of New York. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous The islands, which number 1,793 in all, range in size from over 40 square miles (100 km²) to smaller islands occupied by a single residence, to even smaller uninhabited outcroppings of rocks that are home to migratory waterfowl. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of See also UK Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust USA Ducks Unlimited The number of islands was determined using the criteria that any island must be above water level for 365 (366) days per year, bigger than one square foot (roughly 900 cm²), and support at least one living tree. The area is very popular among vacationers, campers, and boaters, and is often referred to as the "fresh water boating capital of the world".

The area is frequently traveled by large freighters traveling the St. Lawrence Seaway, but is so riddled with shoals and rocks that local navigators are hired to help the vessels travel through the hazardous waterway. The St Lawrence Seaway is the common name for a system of Canals that permits ocean-going vessels to travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes Under the Canadian span, a vessel just less than 25 feet (7. 6 m) offshore can find itself in over 200 feet (61 m) of water. Similarly, rocks and shoals less than two feet (61 cm) underwater can be found in the center of channels 90 feet (27 m) deep. Because of the great number of rocks and shoals just above or below the water's surface, it is unwise to travel the waters at night, unless one stays in the main channels and has charts, a chart plotter, or knows the area well. The water is so clear in some areas, that a rocky bottom can be observed in 80 feet (24 m) of water. The area features several shipwrecks and is a great place for diving. Although most of the wrecks are over 100 feet (30 m) underwater, some are a mere 15 feet below the water's surface and can be seen by looking overboard.

Geologically, the islands are located where a branch of the Canadian Shield runs south across the river to join with the Adirondacks. Geology (from Greek γη gê, "earth" and λόγος Logos, "speech" lit The Canadian Shield &mdash also called the Laurentian Plateau, or Bouclier Canadien (French &mdash is a large geological shield covered by The Adirondack Mountains are a Mountain range located in the northeastern part of New York, that runs through Clinton, Essex, Franklin

Aerial view of Boldt Castle and some of the Thousand Islands. Boldt Castle located on Heart Island (New York in the Thousand Islands of the St

Around twenty of these islands form the St. Lawrence Islands National Park, the smallest of Canada's national parks. St Lawrence Islands National Park (established 1904 is located in the Thousand Islands Region of the Saint Lawrence River. History 1885 - Banff National Park established Canada's first National Park The Thousand Islands-Frontenac Arch region was designated a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2002. The Thousand Islands - Frontenac Arch region connects the Canadian Shield with the Adirondack region. A biosphere reserve is an international Conservation designation given by UNESCO under its Programme on United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established on November 16 The U. S. islands include numerous New York state parks, including Robert Moses State Park - Thousand Islands, located on an island in the St. This is a list of State parks and state historic sites' in the U Robert Moses State Park - Thousand Islands is a New York State park located on Barnhart Island and the mainland in the St Lawrence.

In the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century many distinguished visitors made the region widely known as a summer resort. Several grand hotels provided luxurious accommodations while steamboats offered extensive tours among the islands. Wealthy and middle-class summer residents built summer homes. Some masonry "castles" remain as international landmarks. The most famous extant examples are "The Towers" on Dark Island, now called Singer Castle, and the long-neglected Boldt Castle on Heart Island, which is slowly being restored. Dark Island, a prominent feature of the St Lawrence Seaway, is located in the lower (eastern Thousand Islands region near Chippewa Bay Dark Island, a prominent feature of the St Lawrence Seaway, is located in the lower (eastern Thousand Islands region near Chippewa Bay Boldt Castle located on Heart Island (New York in the Thousand Islands of the St

Canadian counties in the Province of Ontario that border the Thousand Islands.

During the half century (1874-1912) of the resort's greatest prominence, most wealthy vacationers came from New York City, joined by prominent families from Chicago, Pittsburgh and other cities of the United States and Canada. The City of New York Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States. The region retains a historically important collection of vacation homes from this time. The Thousand Islands have long been a center for recreational boating. Large steam yachts, many designed by Nathanael Herreshoff required distinctive yacht houses. Nathanael Greene Herreshoff ( March 18, 1848 – June 2, 1938) born in Bristol Rhode Island, was a Naval architect - The region was known also for innovative power boating during this period. Three local yacht clubs hosted the Gold Cup Races of the American Power Boat Association for nine consecutive years. The American Power Boat Association (APBA is a New York non-profit membership owned corporation that was created in 1903 by an act of the New York legislature as a racing association The Antique Boat Museum of Clayton, New York retains one of the world's major collections of recreational freshwater boats. The term Clayton New York could refer to either of two locations on St New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous

The Thousand Islands Bridge connects New York State and Ontario by traversing Wellesley Island at the northernmost point of U. The Thousand Islands Bridge is an international bridge over the Saint Lawrence River connecting northern New York Wellesley Island in Jefferson County New York, USA is partially in the Town of Orleans and partially in the Town of Alexandria. S. Interstate 81 in Jefferson County and meets Highway 137, which leads to Highway 401. Interstate 81 (abbreviated I-81) is an Interstate highway in the eastern part of the United States. Highway 137 is a short Highway that connects Ontario 's Highway 401 at Exit 661 to the New York The Thousand Islands Parkway provides a scenic view of many of the islands. The Thousand Islands Parkway is a Parkway in the Canadian province of Ontario, which extends easterly from an interchange with Highway 401

The largest island in the group, Wolfe Island, is located entirely in Ontario.

The Thousand Islands gave their name to the popular Thousand Island Dressing around the turn of the twentieth century when Sophie LaLonde, of Clayton, New York who served the dressing at dinner for guests of her husband, a popular fishing guide, gave the recipe to Clayton hotel owner Ella Bertrand and New York City stage actress May Irwin. Thousand Island dressing is a Salad dressing (a variant of Russian dressing) commonly made of Mayonnaise, Ketchup, and a mixture of finely chopped Clayton is a Town in Jefferson County, New York, USA. The population was 4817 at the 2000 census May Irwin ( June 27, 1862 in Whitby Ontario, Canada – October 22, 1938 in New York City, United States Irwin shared it with hotel magnate George C. Boldt. George Charles Boldt (1851-1916 was a Prussian born self-made millionaire who influenced the development of the urban hotel as a civic social center and luxurious destination

The town most associated with the Thousand Islands on the American side is Alexandria Bay, New York. Alexandria Bay is a Village in Jefferson County, New York, United States. Here, free dock space is available to all boaters who wish to come ashore and walk through the village, which is located right alongside the docks. Souvenir shops, clubs, restaurants, ice cream parlors, pizza shops and arcades run the length of James St. , the street directly adjacent to the docks.

Another popular American vacation spot is the Wellesley Island State Park on Wellesley Island, which sports hundreds of camping sites, both powered and non, and several boat ramps and docking facilities for a boater-friendly park. Wellesley Island in Jefferson County New York, USA is partially in the Town of Orleans and partially in the Town of Alexandria.

Popular boating, fishing and vacationing locations

• One of the only beaches in the Thousand Islands, Potter's Beach on the American Grindstone Island has a fine, shallow sandy bottom with a very gradual slope, perfect for boaters that want to stretch their legs or socialize. The number of boats in the little bay can number well .
• A popular location for swimming or anchoring out of the wind, the Lake of the Isles is a secluded area cut off from the rest of the St. Lawrence River by Wellesley Island and neighboring Canadian Hill Island. The only way in or out is through one of two narrow passages.
• Known for its fishing, Eel Bay is a shallow bay just southwest of Wellesley Island. From the air, the bay can resemble the Caribbean with a turquoise-tinted crystal clear water and sandy bottoms.
• Boldt Castle, a testament of one man's love of his wife, has been under renovation by its owner, the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority since 1977, and can be visited by boat or tour cruise. This 120-room mansion and surrounding grounds are available for touring, and is also available for wedding ceremonies.
• The Antique Boat Museum in Clayton houses exhibits antique wooden boats used or built in the region. The museum also features exhibits on the region's maritime culture and is home to the LaDuchess, George Boldt's luxury houseboat.
• Though not as famous as George Boldt's Castle, Singer Castle on Dark Island is privately renovated and is open to tourists. Dark Island, a prominent feature of the St Lawrence Seaway, is located in the lower (eastern Thousand Islands region near Chippewa Bay Frederick Bourne had his castle constructed with secret passageways so that he could spy on his guests.

Curiosities

One of the smaller islands (the island is named "Just Room Enough", containing a single house.

• In the Saint Lawrence River, about two miles (3. 2 km) north of Alexandria Bay, there is an island called Deer Island which is owned by the secret society of Skull and Bones. Deer Island is one of the Thousand Islands. It lies between the United States and Canada, close to Alexandria Bay New York. Skull and Bones is an elite Secret society based at Yale University, in New Haven Connecticut.
• There is a pair of islands near Rockport called the Zavikon Island. The Zavikon Island refers to a pair of islands in the Thousand Islands archipelago on the St A popular but incorrect^[1] tale among the local tourist guides is that the bigger island is in Canada, while the smaller one is in the USA, and the foot bridge between them is the shortest international bridge in the world. ^[2][3] The Zavikon Island is located in the Canadian territory and belongs to the Leeds and Grenville municipal unit. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville are located in Southeastern Ontario, Canada. ^[4][5]
• There is only one artificial island in the entire region, Longue Vue Island. Longue Vue Island is an island located in the Thousand Islands region on the Saint Lawrence River.
• Thousand Island dressing was named for the chain of islands by the actress who popularised the dressing, May Irwin. Thousand Island dressing is a Salad dressing (a variant of Russian dressing) commonly made of Mayonnaise, Ketchup, and a mixture of finely chopped May Irwin ( June 27, 1862 in Whitby Ontario, Canada – October 22, 1938 in New York City, United States

Gallery

Several of the thousand islands viewed from New York towards Ontario	Thousand Islands near Ivy Lea, Ontario

Powerhouse, Heart Island (Boldt Castle)	Alster Tower, Heart Island (Boldt Castle)

See also

References

External links

• 1000 Islands Gananoque Chamber of Commerce and tourism information
• St. Lawrence Parks Commission (Ontario)
• Page about Wolfe Island
• Thousand Islands Life
• The Antique Boat Museum, Clayton, NY
• Boating the 1000 Islands
• Welcome to The Thousand Islands
• St. Lawrence River / 1000 Islands Live Webcam
• "Discovering the Thousand Islands" by Don Ross
• A gallery of Thousand Islands images by Chris Murray
• Thousand Islands Neighbourhood Galleries + Aerial Photography by Ian Coristine
• A comprehensive gallery of Thousand Islands images sorted by Theme and Neighborhood
• World photos. 1000 Islands

Tourism Offices:

• 1000 Islands International Tourism Council
• Alexandria Bay Chamber of Commerce, NY
• Clayton Chamber of Commerce, NY
• Cape Vincent Chamber of Commerce, NY
• Brockville Tourism , ON
• Gananoque Chamber of Commerce ON
• Kingston Tourism, ON