Franklin Island (Greenland)

For the antarctic island, see Franklin Island (Antarctica).

Franklin Island

Map of Franklin Island south east of the Canadian border in the Kennedy Channel
Map of Franklin Island
Franklin Island Location of Franklin Island in Greenland
Etymology	Named after John Franklin
Geography
Location	Kennedy Channel
Coordinates	80°38′N 66°48′W
Adjacent to	Nares Strait
Area	33.7 km2 (13.0 sq mi)
Length	9.8 km (6.09 mi)
Width	4.7 km (2.92 mi)
Highest elevation	215 m (705 ft)
Administration
Greenland
Municipality	Avannaata
Demographics
Population	0 (2023)
Pop. density	0/km2 (0/sq mi)
Ethnic groups	none

Franklin Island (Danish: Franklin Ø) is one of three islands located in Kennedy Channel of Nares Strait in the high Arctic and is part of Avannaata municipality, Greenland.

Geography

Franklin Island is the largest of a group of three islands off the Washington Land coast that includes Crozier Island and Hans Island as well. The former is also part of Greenland, whilst the latter's ownership is shared between Denmark and Canada.

It is located c. 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Cape Constitution (Danish: Kap Constitution). It is predominantly light brown in colour, very steep-sided, flat topped, and rises to a height of 215 m (705 ft) on the Southeast side.

The island is named after the British explorer John Franklin (1786–1847), by Elisha Kent Kane between 1854 and 1855 during his second Grinnell Expedition, after it was sighted by Hans Hendrik and the American William Morton in June 1854. Canada and Denmark also left their flags along with whiskey and other alcoholic drinks.

See also

• List of islands of Greenland