Ellef Ringnes Island
Ellef Ringnes Island is an uninhabited island and one of the Sverdrup Islands in the Qikiqtaaluk Region, Nunavut, Canada. A member of the Queen Elizabeth Islands and Arctic Archipelago, it is located in the Arctic Ocean, east of Borden Island, and west of Amund Ringnes Island. It has an area of 11,295 km2 (4,361 sq mi), making it the 69th largest island in the world (slightly larger than Jamaica) and Canada's 16th largest island. Its highest mount is 260 m (850 ft).
Closeup of Ellef Ringnes Island and neighbouring islands | |
Ellef Ringnes Island Ellef Ringnes Island | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Arctic Ocean |
| Coordinates | 78°30′N 102°15′W |
| Archipelago | Sverdrup Islands Queen Elizabeth Islands Arctic Archipelago |
| Area | 11,295 km2 (4,361 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 69th |
| Highest elevation | 260 m (850 ft) |
| Highest point | Isachsen Dome |
| Administration | |
Canada | |
| Territory | Nunavut |
| Region | Qikiqtaaluk |
| Largest settlement | Isachsen (pop. 0) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
The island was named by Otto Sverdrup for Oslo brewer Ellef Ringnes, one of the sponsors of his expedition. It was first sighted by Europeans in 1901 by one of Sverdrup's men. The island was then claimed by Norway from 1902 until the claim was relinquished in favour of Canada in 1930.