The village of Unga, on the island of the same name, is now uninhabited, abandoned in 1969. Most residents have relocated to the new community of Sand Point, which is on neighboring Shumagin Island. The name Shumagin was given to this group of over a dozen islands by members of Vitus Bering’s expedition to honor one of their own who died there.

Unga, like many of the islands in this region, is rich in minerals. Coal and gold mining in this region first occurred on Unga, lasting until the early 1900's. There was renewed interest in Unga’s gold in the 1980's, although no one has come forward to actively pursue mining.

In addition to mining, fishing was central to the development of Unga. Over the years, however, Sand Point has become the focal point for fish processing in this part of the Aleutians. Cod, halibut, and salmon have been the primary catch, not only for the cash economy, but also for subsistence. Residents supplement their diets with other marine life, including shellfish and a variety of kelp.

Visitors of Unga Island may see arctic fox, bald eagles, and seals. This is also a beautiful place to view tundra wild flowers. One of the island’s more unique features is the abundance of ancient petrified wood along the shoreline.