|
|
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| − | {{Images OK}}
| |
| | | | |
| − | [[Image:Map of Virginia highlighting Accomack County.svg|thumb|275px|Map of Virginia highlighting Accomack County on the island of Assateague]]
| |
| − | [[Image:Assateague Island aerial view.jpg|thumb|275px|Aerial view of Assateague Island. Ocean City Maryland is visible in the far distance at top. View is to the north.]]
| |
| − |
| |
| − | '''Assateague Island''' is a 37 mile long [[barrier island]] located off the eastern coast of [[Maryland]] and [[Virginia]].
| |
| − |
| |
| − | It is best known for its herds of wild horses, pristine beaches, and the [[Assateague Light]]house. Bridge access for cars is possible from both Maryland and Virginia, though no road runs the full length of the island.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | ----
| |
| − | REWORD
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Assateague Island is a barrier island built by sand that persistent waves have raised from the ocean's gently sloping floor. Constant reshaping mirrors a restless origin, as steady winds continue moving trillions of sand grains, each a bit of erosion from the ancient Appalachian Mountains. Occasional storms drive waves and sands so forcefully that beach and shoreline change dramatically. But Assateague's summer mostly means the lure of beaches and mild surf where shorebirds trace the lapping waves down the beach. Inland, legendary herds of wild horses roam the marshlands.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | 37 miles long; 18,000 acres
| |
| − | Long even beaches with dunes protecting extensive marshlands along Chincoteague Bay. Diverse and rich wildlife, including picturesque herds of wild horses.
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | ==Protected areas==
| |
| − | [[Image:20060727 18-24-29chincoteaguedeer4print.JPG|thumb|right|A deer walks along the Snow Goose Pool in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Chincoteague, Virginia, 2006-07-27]]
| |
| − | [[Image:Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Sign 1.jpg|thumb|right|Monument sign at entrance from [[Chincoteague, Virginia|Chincoteague]]]]
| |
| − | [[Image:Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge 1.jpg|thumb|left|Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge with Chincoteague Lighthouse in distance]]
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | http://www.ococean.com/ASSATG.html
| |
| − |
| |
| − | http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/hurricanes/assateague/
| |
| − |
| |
| − | http://soundwaves.usgs.gov/2002/11/research.html
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Assateague Island is comprised of three separate protected areas, each managed by a different organization. The [[Assateague Island National Seashore]] and [[Assateague State Park]] are in [[Maryland]], and the [[Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge]] is in [[Virginia]]. The Refuge was established in 1943 to provide habitat for migratory [[bird]]s, primarily [[snow geese]]. Assateague Island National Seashore was established in 1965 to preserve the barrier island, surrounding waters, and provide recreational opportunities. The [[United Nations]] has designated Assateague as a [[World Biosphere Reserve]]. The U.S. Department of the Interior has designated it a [[National Natural Landmark]].
| |
| − |
| |
| − | ===Assateague Island National Seashore===
| |
| − | Assateague Island National Seashore is a unit of the [[National Park Service]] occupying much of Assateague Island along the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] coast of [[Maryland]] and [[Virginia]]. It is a [[barrier island]] shaped by stormy seas and gentle winds. It lies adjacent to [[Assateague State Park]] and [[Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge]].
| |
| − |
| |
| − | In the 1950s, some 5,000 private lots comprising what is now National Park Service land were zoned and sold for resort development. The [[Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962]] halted the plans for development. The [[Nor'easter]] destroyed the few existing structures on the island and ripped roads apart. In 1965, Assateague became a [[National Seashore]].
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Bands of feral [[horse]]s freely roam among [[plant]]s and native [[animal]]s that have adapted to a life of [[sand]], [[salt]] and [[wind]]. Special thickened leaves and odd shapes reveal the plant world's successful struggle here. [[Ghost crab]]s buried in the cool beach sand and tree [[swallow]]s plucking bayberries on their southward migration offer glimpses of the animal world's connection to Assateague.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | ===Assateague State Park===
| |
| − | Assateague State Park is a public beach and state park of [[Maryland]] that lies at the northern end of Assateague Island. It comprises nearly 800 acres and is the most developed area on the island with 350 campsites. Most of the water around the island is within the boundaries of the national seashore. The island has a land area of 63.21 km² (24.4 sq mi) and has no resident population in either Maryland or Virginia, though a few retained rights properties existed until 2006. These were mainly hunting camps.
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Reachable via [[Maryland Route 611|Route 611]], across [[Sinepuxent Bay]] via the [[Verrazano Bridge (Maryland)|Verrazano Bridge]] (not to be confused with the [[Verrazano Narrows Bridge]]), Assateague State Park offers beaches and campsites to the public for a fee. The park lies adjacent to [[Assateague Island National Seashore]] which is run by the [[National Park Service]].
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | ===Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge===
| |
| − | The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is a 14,000 acre wildlife preserve operated by the [[United States Fish and Wildlife Service|U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service]]. It is primarily located on the [[Virginia]] side of Assateague Island with portions located on the [[Maryland]] side of the island as well as [[Morris Island (Virginia)|Morris Island]] and [[Wildcat Marsh (Virginia)|Wildcat Marsh]]. The refuge contains a large variety of wildlife animals and birds including the [[Chincoteague Pony]].
| |
| − |
| |
| − | ==Human Use of the Island==
| |
| − | The National Park Service allows Off-road vehicles with permits in certain areas. Car camping sites are available in both the National Seashore and Assateague State Park by reservation. Backcountry sites are also available from the National Seashore. There is no camping available from the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Pets are prohibited in all areas except certain parts of the National Seashore. Check with each agency to find out the specifics. Kayak touring is a popular way to see the wildlife, especially on the calmer bay side. The best time to backcountry camp is in the spring and fall. Summer months are known for heavy mosquito populations, particularly on the bay side.
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | ==The Wild Horses of Assateague Island==
| |
| − | [[Image:Assateague fg02.jpg|thumb|right|Feral ponies on Assateague Island]]
| |
| − |
| |
| − | The [[horse]] species is commonly subdivided into horses and [[pony|ponies]]. This distinction, made both on per-breed or per-individual bases, is sometimes a matter of disagreement. Though commonly called "[[Chincoteague Pony|Chincoteague Ponies]]", these animals are arguably horses. The [[United States National Park Service|National Park Service]] provides information about these animals through brochures and internet. Made famous by [[Marguerite Henry]] in her book [[Misty of Chincoteague]], generations of visitors make the pilgrimage each year to see these wonderful creatures. The Maryland horses are owned and managed by the National Park Service who have carefully followed the population over generations. In Virginia, these horses are owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department. Once a year in July, Salt Water Cowboys round up the Chincoteague Ponies for auction on Pony Penning Day. The Maryland and Virginia horses are kept apart by fencing at the border between the two states.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | The National Park Service no longer refers to the island horses as feral, meaning they are descendants of domestic animals, rather than [[wild horse|wild horses]]. Although the horses are descendants of domesticated animals, their behaviors are consistent with their ancient ancestors.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | To keep their numbers under control on the Maryland side, a federal contraceptive program has been in place since 1994.<ref>[http://www.nps.gov/archive/asis/horses.htm, Assateague Island National Seashore]</ref> In Virginia, the auction keeps the horse population at levels required by agreement with the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | ==Wildlife==
| |
| − | [[Image:Egrets-assateague.jpg|thumb|300px|Egrets in Assateague's marshes]]
| |
| − | Large populations of birds also inhabit the island, including [[American Oystercatcher]], [[Great Blue Heron]], and [[Snowy Egret]]. There are over 320 species that are known to inhabit the island during some portion of the year. These include gulls, terns, and other shorebirds along with raptors, waterbirds, and waterfowl.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | ==Notes==
| |
| − | <references/>
| |
| − |
| |
| − | ==References==
| |
| − | *''Assateague Island.com''. [http://www.assateagueisland.com/ Assateague Island National Seashore] Retrieved December 6, 2008.
| |
| − | *''National Park Service''. [http://www.nps.gov/asis/ Assateague Island National Seashore] Retrieved December 6, 2008.
| |
| − | *United States, and William Hopkins Amos. 1980. ''Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland and Virginia.'' Washington, D.C.: The Division.
| |
| − | *Wroten, William H. 1972. ''Assateague''. Cambridge, Md: Tidewater Publishers. ISBN 9780870331688
| |
| − |
| |
| − | ==External links==
| |
| − | All Links Retrieved December 6, 2008.
| |
| − | *Amrhein, John. [http://www.thehiddengalleon.com/ Assateague's most famous shipwreck] ''The Hidden Galleon.''
| |
| − | *''Chincoteague-Island.net.'' [http://www.chincoteague-island.net/ Chincoteague Island Tourism]
| |
| − | *Glass, Gary. [http://www.shutterglass.com/gallery/839364 Photography of Assateague] ''ShutterGlass.com.''
| |
| − | *''Maryland Department of Natural Resources''. [http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/eastern/assateague.html Assateague State Park]
| |
| − |
| |
| − | {{coord|37.976409|-75.304756|display=title}}
| |
| − |
| |
| − | [[Category:Geography]]
| |
| − | [[Category:United States]]
| |
| − | [[Category:Islands]]
| |
| − |
| |
| − | {{credit|Assateague_Island|254758678|Assateague_Island_National_Seashore|229928017|Assateague_State_Park|229928054|}}
| |
