Cat Island (Mississippi)
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Cat Island is a barrier island off the Gulf Coast of the United States. The island is named for racoons that early explorers mistook for cats, it is known as Isle-aux-Chats and Isola de Gati in French and Italian respectively (both translate to "Island of Cats"). It is within the jurisdiction of Harrison County, Mississippi and the western half of the island is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
Cat Island is a unique "T-shaped" island created by colliding Gulf of Mexico currents. Unlike the other Mississippi islands, Cat Island's sand beaches are backed by dense forests of slash pines and live oaks. Bayous and marshes on Cat Island are home to alligators and refuge to migratory birds. During World War II the island was base for the Cat Island War Dog Reception and Training Center where Americans sent their family dogs to be trained by the U.S. Army Signal Corps for military service.
Hurricane Katrina in 2005 shrank the island somewhat, eliminating the southern tip.
The western half of the island and southern tip became part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore in 2002, the remainder of the island including most of the beach is still privately owned.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Cat Island. Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved on 2006-04-13.
- Initial Purchase of Land on Cat Island. Gulf Islands National Seashore. National Park Service (March 28, 2002). Retrieved on 2006-05-04.
- Gulf Islands National Seashore. Park of the Week. National Park Service (April 18, 2005). Retrieved on 2006-05-04.
- Hurricane Katrina Erodes the U.S. Gulf Coast. NASA Earth Observatory. Retrieved on 2006-05-04.
