SAN JUAN ISLANDS

archipelago of 172 islands (largest of which are Orcas, San Juan, and Lopez) comprising San Juan County, northwestern Washington, U.S., in upper Puget Sound, at the Canadian border, south of the Strait of Georgia and east of Juan de Fuca Strait. Part of a submerged mountain chain, they were explored (179092) and named by the Spanish Francisco Eliza expedition. Visited by George Vancouver in 1792, the main islands were occupied for a time by the Hudson's Bay Company. Following the bloodless Pig War of 1859 (precipitated by a marauding British pig in an American potato patch), San Juan Island was occupied by both British and American forces for 12 years. San Juan Island National Historic Park, divided into English and American camps, commemorates this period. The islands were awarded to the United States (1872) after settlement of a boundary dispute. Orcas Island includes Moran State Park and Mt. Constitution (2,400 ft ), highest point on the islands. Linked by ferry services, the islands have had extensive summer resort development. Friday Harbor, largest town and county seat, is the base for a fishing fleet and site of the University of Washington Oceanographic Laboratory. Pop. (1990) 10,035.