Chappaquiddick Island is a small island off the eastern end of the larger island of Martha's Vineyard. The two islands are connected, along their southern coast, by a narrow barrier beach accessible only by four-wheel-drive vehicles. A small, barge-like ferry shuttles between Chappaquiddick and the town of Edgartown, Massachusetts on Martha's Vineyard proper, carrying cars and passengers.

Geography

Geographically, Chappaquiddick is considered an island, despite the fact that it becomes entirely separate only when storms breach the barrier beach. Politically, it is part of the town of Edgartown in Dukes County. Socially, its residents form a tight-knit community and see themselves as distinctly separate from the rest of Edgartown. Long-time residents speak of "going to the mainland" when they travel to Edgartown, and of "going to America" when (for example) they travel to Boston or Cape Cod. The island has only 150 year round residents and 450 houses upon its 5 square miles, as well as numerous wildlife preserves an beaches and just one combination general store/automobile mechanic's garage that is only open in the summer.

See also

• Ted Kennedy and Chappaquiddick
• Edgartown Yacht Club Regatta

External links

• Yahoo Travel Guide for Martha's Vineyard