Resources of the Pribilof Islands
Aleuts of the Pribilof Islands : A struggle for survival in 'the place that God forgot' (Corbett and Swibold, 2000)
This case study shows the relationship between the geology, ecology and culture of these special people. Like the other case studies in this module, it has been designed for teachers, students and the interested public who want to teach or learn more about the people in this amazing setting.
The Pribilof Islands are located approximately 250 miles (400 km) north of the Aleutian Arc on the southern edge of the Bering Sea shelf. St. Paul Island and St. George Island are home to the largest communities of Aleuts in the world. The Aleuts have had an arduous past, surviving slavery under colonial Russian and American rule and forced relocation during WWII. Their hardship continues today with economic issues stemming from overfishing in the Bering Sea.
To learn more about the Pribilof Islands and Aleut culture, view pages or follow the topic-specific links listed below, which illustrate events that have occurred on St. Paul and St. George due to environmental issues.
- Geology and Physiography - Explore the geology and physiography of the Pribilof Islands including geologic maps, tectonic setting, bedrock, major structures, and landforms.
- Beringia - Explore the history of the Bering Land Bridge and Pribilof Islands.
- Hydrology - Explore the surface and groundwater systems and water quality of the Pribilof Islands.
- Climate—Explore the climate of the Pribilof Islands.
- Flora and Fauna—Explore the flora and fauna of the Pribilof Islands
- Cultural Heritage—Explore the culture of the Aleut people, past and present.
- Policy—Explore political issues and projects related to resource development in the Pribilof Islands.