Hudson Strait

The Hudson Strait is situated between Nunavik and Baffin Island, to the north of Canada. It connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Labrador Sea to Hudson Bay, also in Canada.

Hudson Strait Facts for Kids

• The Hudson Strait is about 750 kilometers long. And its width varies between 70 kilometers and 240 kilometers.
• Sir Martin Frobisher, an English navigator, was the first European to discover the Hudson Strait in 1578.
• George Weymouth was the first European to actually explore the Hudson Strait in 1602.
• The Hudson Strait was initially named ‘Mistaken Strait’ because of Sir Martin Frobisher who was the first European to enter it.
• The Hudson Strait was named after Henry Hudson who explored the place in 1610.
• England and France each made a great effort to possess the Hudson Strait. But in 1713 France gave up its claim and surrendered the Hudson Strait to England.
• The sea ice over the Hudson Strait is frequently used by polar bears as a place to hunt for food.
• For about 300 years the Hudson Strait has been used as a place for trading in animal coat because it gives access, by sea, straight into Canada.
• The eastern entrance to the Hudson Strait is located at Resolution Island, off Baffin Island, and Cape Chidley in Quebec.
• The climate in the Hudson Strait delays the hunting season for polar bears, by two weeks, because the amount of ice is not usually enough for the bears.
• In 1670 Hudson Bay’s company ships began using the Hudson Strait. It is not difficult to move around the Strait because the route is wide and free from shoal (a large group of fish or other sea animals swimming together).
• For a long time, the Hudson Strait was believed to be the fabled Northwest Passage.
• Across the western portion of the Hudson Strait is a group of three islands. They are: Mill Island, Salisbury Island, and Nottingham Island.

QUESTIONS

1. The name of the first European to discover the Hudson Strait in 1578 was?

2. Who was the Hudson Strait named after in 1610?

3. For a long time, the Hudson Strait was believed to be the fabled Northwest Passage. Yes or No.

4. The sea ice over the Hudson Strait is frequently used by polar bears as a place to hunt for?

5. What are the names of the three islands that are located along the western portion of the Hudson Strait?

6. The Hudson Strait connects the what Ocean and the what Sea to Hudson Bay.

7. In what year did France give up its claim and surrender the Hudson Strait to England?