Assateague Island is a 37 mile (60 km) barrier island located off the eastern coast of the Delmarva peninsula overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Two thirds of the island's north is in Maryland while the southern third is in Virginia. The Maryland section contains the majority of Assateague Island National Seashore and Assateague State Park. The Virginia section contains the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and a one-mile stretch of land that contains recreational beaches and interpretive facilities run by the National Park Service (or NPS). This place is famous for herds of wild horses, pristine beaches, and Assateague Lighthouse. The island also contains many swamps, bays, and coves, including Toms Cove. Bridge access for cars is possible from Maryland and Virginia, although no roads run along the north/south of the island.
Video Assateague Island
Histori Edit
Like all barrier islands, Assateague has changed shape over the years. The barrier island structure is determined by the movement of sand in the littoral zone, the island's mainland. At one time, the island was connected to the lowest point of Fenwick Island. However, the 1933 Chesapeake-Potomac storm created the southern inlet of Ocean City, Maryland. This inbound channel separates the two landscapes. Usually, it will return to the mud because of coastal drift that flows from north to south. However, after the storm, between 1933 and 1935 the permanent system of artificial piers was built to keep the inlet as a navigation channel. As a result, the island has drifted far westward, and the two landmasses are now over 0.62 miles (1.00 km) apart. Although this process has benefited Ocean City, creating a wider beach and better fishing access, this has caused erosion problems in Assateague.
Between 1933 and the early 1960s, federal interests in creating national beaches on the island alternated with periodic encouragement for development. In 1950, the 15-mile section of the Maryland Assateague side was plotted for development, and the asphalt road, Baltimore Boulevard, was built to traverse new developments. Ash Wednesday Storm in 1962 destroyed or covered most of Baltimore's Boulevard, and many buildings on the island were destroyed. Although some private landowners on the island support the rebuilding, at present the state of Maryland generally supports national beaches and legislation introduced in the United States Congress. After Congressional efforts did not result in final legislation in 1964, new legislation in 1965 succeeded and Assateague Island National Seashore was formed.
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Parks and Protection Edit
The entire island of Assateague is owned and operated by three different institutions: NPS, Maryland State Parks, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. All the land on the island north of the state of Maryland-Virginia is the National Islands of the Assateague Islands, with the exception of the smaller Assateague State Park. The national beach was established in 1965 to preserve the barrier and surrounding waters, and provide recreational opportunities. All islands south of the state border in Virginia are Chincoteague National Preserve, with the exception of a mile-long expanse of land including recreational beaches and interpretive facilities managed by NPS. The Refuge was founded in 1943 to provide habitat for migratory birds, especially snow swans. The US Geological Survey has initiated a study aimed at reducing the potential for sea level rise in this barrier island complex.
Human use of islands Edit
The National Park Service allows off-road vehicles with permits in certain areas. Car camping spots are available at National Seashore and Assateague State Park with reservations. Inland sites are also available from National Seashore. No campgrounds available from Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Pets are prohibited in all areas except certain parts of the National Seashore and part of the state park. Kayak driving is a popular way to see wildlife, especially on the quieter side of the bay. The best time for inland camps is in the spring and fall. The summer months are known for heavy mosquito populations, especially on the side of the bay.
Assateague State Park consists of nearly 800 acres (3.2 km 2 ) and is located in Maryland at National Seashore. State parks are the most developed area on the island with 350 campsites. Much of the water around the island is within national coastal boundaries. The island has an area of ​​24.4 square miles (63 km 2 ) and has no population either in Maryland or Virginia, although some property rights remain until 2006. These are mainly hunting camps.
Fauna Edit
Large populations of birds inhabit the island, including the American oystercatcher, the big blue crane, and the snowy egrets. There are more than 320 species known to inhabit the island for several parts this year. These include seagulls, terns, and other beach birds along with raptor birds, aquatic birds and waterfowl. Piping plover is an endangered species nesting in Assateague.
The wild horse population of Assateague Island is alternately known as the Assateague horse in Maryland and Chincoteague Pony in Virginia. This distinction, made both on a per-sonic and individual basis, is sometimes a matter of dispute. The traditional definition of horse or horse is based on whether the animal in question falls above or below 14.2 hands (58 inches, 147 cm). Equines on the island tend to be under 14.2, but have a horse phenotype. It is said that its size is relatively small mainly due to the environment, not a genetic condition. The Park Service provides information about these animals through brochures and internet.
Maryland and Virginia horses are separated by a fence on the border between the two countries. Though commonly called "wild," these horses have tamed their ancestors, claiming in legend to survive the Spanish galleons that were stranded along the coast, but perhaps only local colonial horses were left loose. When excess amounts are removed from the island and they are placed into human ownership, they adapt quickly to domestication. Created famous by Marguerite Henry in her children's book Misty of Chincoteague, these animals are popular sights and subjects for photography.
The Maryland horses are owned and managed by NPS, who carefully follow the population from generation to generation. In Virginia, the Chincoteague horses are owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. Once a year in July, the local "saltwater cowboy" rounded up them and sorted a number of animals to be removed from the island, prepared for auction on Pony Penning Day.
To keep their numbers under control on the Maryland side, federal contraceptive programs have been in existence since 1994. In Virginia, Pony Penning Days auction keeps the horse population at the level required by an agreement with the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.
References Edit
External links Edit
- Media related to Assateague Island on Wikimedia Commons
- Travel guide of Assateague Island from Wikivoyage
- Assateague Island National Coast
- Assateague State Park
- Assateague photo
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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