<P> Roanoke Island is an island in Dare County on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, United States . It was named after the historical Roanoke Carolina Algonquian people who inhabited the area in the 16th century at the time of English exploration . About eight miles (12 km) long and two miles (3 km) wide, Roanoke Island lies between the mainland and the barrier islands near Nags Head, with Albemarle Sound on its north, Roanoke Sound at the eastern end, Croatan Sound to the west, and Wanchese CDP at the southern end . The town of Manteo is located on the northern portion of the island, and is the county seat of Dare County . Fort Raleigh National Historic Site is on the north end of the island . There is a land area of 17.95 square miles (46.5 km) and a population of 6,724 as of the 2000 census . </P> <P> Located along U.S. Highway 64, a major highway from mainland North Carolina to the Outer Banks, Roanoke Island combines recreational and water features with historical sites and an outdoor theater to form one of the major tourist attractions of Dare County . </P> <P> Roanoke Island was the site of the Roanoke Colony, an English settlement initially established in 1585 by Sir Walter Raleigh . A group of about 120 men, women and children arrived in 1587 . Shortly after arriving in this New World, colonist Eleanor Dare, daughter of Governor John White, gave birth to Virginia Dare . She was the first English child born in North America . Governor White returned to England later that year for supplies . Due to impending war with Spain, White was unable to return to Roanoke Island until 1590 . When he arrived, the colony had vanished . The fate of those first colonists remains a mystery to this day and is one of America's most intriguing unsolved mysteries . Archaeologists, historians, and other researchers continue to work to resolve the mystery . Visitors to the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site can watch The Lost Colony, the second - longest - running outdoor theatre production in the United States, which presents a conjecture of the fate of Roanoke Colony . </P> <P> Roanoke Island is one of the three oldest surviving English place - names in the U.S. Along with the Chowan and Neuse rivers, it was named in 1584 by Captains Philip Amadas and Arthur Barlowe, sent by Sir Walter Raleigh . </P>

Who sponsored or started the colony at roanoke