Assateague Island

Assateague Island, barrier island off the Atlantic Ocean coast of southeastern Maryland and eastern Virginia, U.S. Lying immediately south of Ocean City, Md., the island is 37 miles (60 km) long and is separated from the mainland by Chincoteague (south) and Sinepuxent (north) bays. The island and several nearby islets are wholly within Assateague Island National Seashore (established 1965). Within the national seashore boundaries are Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (1943) at the southern (Virginia) end and Assateague State Park (1956) near the northern (Maryland) end.