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Photo credit by ....somewhere on an island

The island of Martha's Vineyard sits south of Cape Cod, and has long been a popular vacation destination for many on the East Coast. Martha's Vineyard has developed into an area filled with fine and expensive homes owned by many of the rich and famous in American society. There is no road to access the island from and vacationer or resident, and they can only gain access to it by private boat, ferry or plane. The island was originally inhabited by Native Americans when the early English settlers reached the area in the early 1600s. Since then it has gone through many different phases of growth and development, but has always been able to retain its quaint, peaceful and remote personality. From the celebrities that now dot the residential areas to the early whaling industry that was prominent on the island for a time, a great deal is known about the island, but here are five facts you may not know about Martha's Vineyard.

1. Martha's Vineyard is a large island compared to many, but nowhere near the biggest in the nation. When ranked by land mass, Martha's Vineyard is the 57th largest island in the entire United States of America.

2. There is a specific dialect of sign language known as Martha's Vineyard Sign Language. This language came about because the island was actually home to one of the first communities for the deaf in the United States.

3. The famous movie Jaws, directed by the legendary Steven Spielberg, was filmed on Martha's Vineyard. Spielberg even cast many island natives in key roles as well as the roles of countless extras.

4. In 1977, there was a movement on Martha's Vineyard and some of the surrounding islands to secede from the state of Massachusetts, and if need be, from the entire United States because of what was claimed to be lack of political representation. The movement eventually even had a bill introduced in the Massachusetts state legislature that numerated the grievances and notified the state of the islands' intent to secede.

5. Though there is a good deal of settlement and population in the area, on the entire island of Martha's Vineyard, there are only six towns: Aquinnah (formerly known as Gay Head), Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury and West Tisbury.

Martha's Vineyard has many diverse areas, and each is more beautiful than the ones previously seen. The rich forested areas protect the hidden meadows, and the beaches are filled with many opportunities for fun and exploration. From the beautiful sight of Gay Head Cliffs to the magnificent homes that sit high above the Atlantic Ocean, Martha's Vineyard remains a great place to visit whether for an extended weekend, a full vacation or an entire summer. Martha's Vineyard is truly something special.