The Tusket Islands are a chain of islands located in the

Atlantic Ocean The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's five oceans, with an area of about . It covers approximately 20% of Earth's surface and about 29% of its water surface area. It is known to separate the " Old World" of Africa, Europe ...

off the coast of

Nova Scotia Nova Scotia ( ; ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is one of the three Maritime provinces and one of the four Atlantic provinces. Nova Scotia is Latin for "New Scotland". Most of the population are native Eng ...

, south of the town

Yarmouth Yarmouth may refer to: Places Canada *Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia **Yarmouth, Nova Scotia **Municipality of the District of Yarmouth **Yarmouth (provincial electoral district) **Yarmouth (electoral district) * Yarmouth Township, Ontario *New ...

History

In 1633, Jean de Laite referred to the islands as "Isles aux Tangneux" in his work ''The New World''. The

Mi'kmaq The Mi'kmaq (also ''Mi'gmaq'', ''Lnu'', ''Miꞌkmaw'' or ''Miꞌgmaw''; ; ) are a First Nations people of the Northeastern Woodlands, indigenous to the areas of Canada's Atlantic Provinces and the Gaspé Peninsula of Quebec as well as the northe ...

referred to the islands as "Aglassawakade," or "place of the English." There is a local belief that pirate treasure is hidden on one of the islands. Several dwellings were built on the islands during early decades of European settlement.

Geography

The islands stretch along the coast from

Pinkney's Point Argyle, officially named the Municipality of the District of Argyle, is a district municipality in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia. Statistics Canada classifies the district municipality as a municipal district. The district municipality occupies th ...

to Wedgeport. Big Tusket Island has the highest elevation at 31 metres and Bald Tusket Island has an elevation of 16 metres. The islands include: * Allen Island * Pease Island * Spectacle Island * Ellenwood Island * Murder Island (also known as Île du Massacre) - Local lore attributes the numerous human remains found on the island to the extermination of slaves brought up from the Caribbean or Africa subsequent to their work in the construction of subterranean architecture relating to the Oak Island treasure mystery.Place Names of Atlantic Canada. 1970 * Harris Island * Holmes Island * Haymaker Island * Turpentine Island * Owls Head Island * Eagle Island * Marks Island * Candlebox Island * Tarpaulin Island * Dog Island * Calf Island * Big Tusket Island (also known as St. Martin's Island) * Green Island * Inner Bald Tusket Island * Outer Bald Tusket Island - Location of the micronation

Principality of Outer Baldonia The Principality of Outer Baldonia is a defunct micronation that claimed sovereignty over approximately of Outer Bald Tusket Island, the southernmost of the Tusket Islands off the southern tip of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. Founded in ...

References

Communities in Yarmouth County Islands of Nova Scotia General Service Areas in Nova Scotia Landforms of Yarmouth County {{YarmouthNS-geo-stub Archipelagoes of Canada