KING ISLAND

island in Bass Strait, 50 miles (80 km) off the northwestern coast of Tasmania, Australia. About 40 miles by 15 miles (64 km by 24 km), with an area of 424 square miles (1,098 square km), it has a gently rolling surface rising to Mount Stanley (700 feet ). The island was sighted in 1798 by a Captain Reed and was claimed for Great Britain in 1802 to prevent the French from taking possession. Named in 1801 for Philip Gidley King, third governor of New South Wales, and first settled in 1855, it now constitutes a municipality. Mixed livestock farming (dairy and beef cattle) and pea growing are pursued on a broad central and narrower northern belt. Scheelite (tungsten ore), mined sporadically at Grassy since 1917, is sent to the chief town and harbour of Currie on the west coast. There are also mineral sand deposits. Pop. (1981) 2,592.