Aleutian Islands, sometimes called the Catharine Archipelago in honour of Catharine II. of Russia, is the name of a chain of about 150 islands, in several groups, extending westward from the American peninsula of Aliaska, and forming an insular continuation of that peninsula towards the Asiatic peninsula of Kamchatka. These islands are chiefly included in the United States territory of Alaska, and lie in lat. 53° N., separating the Sea of Kamchatka on the north from the Pacific Ocean on the south, and are naturally divided into five groups, ranging from east to west in the following order: (1) The Fox Islands, near the extremity of Aliaska, of which the largest, Oonimak, is also the largest of the Aleutian chain; other principal islands of this group are Oonalashka and Oomnak. (2) The Andreanov Islands, of which the largest is Atka. (3) The Rat (Kreesi) Islands, of which the most important are Keeska, Amchitka, and Semisopochnoi. (4) The Blizhni (Nearer) Islands, so called by the Russians from their nearer proximity to Kamchatka; of these the largest is Attoo, the westernmost of the true, or American, Aleutian Islands. (5) Komandorski, or Commander's Islands, a Russian group, lying near Kamchatka, the principal being Behring Island, named from Behring (Bering), a commander in the Russian service, who died here in 1741.
This chain of islands, apparently a continuation of the main Alaskan range of mountains, contains numerous volcanic peaks, some of which are in a state of moderate activity. In some instances these peaks rise from 4000 to 8000 feet high, and are covered with snow. Few trees, and those of stunted growth, are found on these islands, but grasses grow in abundance. Some efforts have been made to cultivate the more common garden vegetables, but with indifferent success.
The aborigines of these islands are believed to have been of Eskimo origin, but since their subjugation by adventurous Russians about the middle of the 18th century, such intimate relations with their conquerors have been maintained, that they have measurably lost their individuality as a tribe. They profess the religion of the Greek Church. At Iluliuk, on the island of Oonalashka, are the parish church, the custom-house, and important trading establishments. The islands abound in springs, and are overrun with foxes, dogs, and reindeer, while the coasts swarm with fish, seals, and otters. The inhabitants are reckoned about 2000. Their occupation is hunting and fishing, and their trade is chiefly in furs and fish. See Alaska and its Resources, by William H. Dall (1870); Alaska: its Population, Industries, and Resources (Tenth Census of the United States), by Ivan Petroff, special agent.