Alcatraz Island

The Alcatraz Island is located in the USA in the state of California. It is located in the San Francisco bay. Keep surfing Mapsofworld for further information and choices on Islands around the world and also for information on other places.

Monitored by the National Park Service , the island has the history of being a privately owned property, a military camp and also a penitentiary and prison for some 29 years.

The Alcatraz Island has now been converted into a tourist destination by the National Park Service . It currently falls under the category of Golden Gate National Recreation Area . The Island was named ' La Isla de los Alcatraces' (meaning: 'Island of gannets') by Don Juan de Ayala, a Spanish naval lieutenant, after the Pelicans - which he mistook for Gannets - that populated the island. The island also has natural features like pools - called rock pools - next to ocean that are filled with sea water. Avian life too thrives on the island but they chiefly comprise of sea faring birds. The Alcatraz Island is sometimes also referred to as 'the Rock'.

The Alcatraz Island is easily reachable with the help of the efficient ferry services that are aviailable. The Alcaterz Island houses several structures that are remnants of its past. The things that visitors go to see are the prison house that has now been abandoned, the lighthouse which also happens to be the oldest one that is in operation on the west coast of the USA and several other military buildings. The island has another specialty. It hosts an annual triathlon every year in the month of June, called the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon . The triathlon begins on the Alcatraz Island every year.

Quick Facts :

• Area : 0.0763 Sq Km

Population : (no population)