SANTA CATALINA ISLAND

also called Catalina Island, one of the Santa Barbara Islands, 22 miles (35 km) off the Pacific coast of California, U.S. It is 22 miles long and 8 miles (13 km) across at its greatest width and has an area of 74 square miles (192 square km). It rises to Mount Orizaba (2,130 feet above sea level) and is forested and chaparral-covered. It is administratively part of Los Angeles County. The island was discovered by Juan Rodrguez Cabrillo in 1542 and sheltered a Spanish sea expedition (1602) led by Sebastin Vizcano, who named it on the feast day (November 25) of St. Catherine (Catalina) of Alexandria. Deeded to the United States in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848), it developed as a resort after it was purchased (1919) by William Wrigley. Avalon (incorporated 1913), the island's only city, is connected by boat and air services to San Pedro and Long Beach on the mainland. A seal colony, evening flying-fish trips, and submarine gardens are attractions on the island.