Where is Sitka?
Sitka is located in southeastern Alaska on the outer coast of Baranof
Island. It is about the same latitude as London, England. You arrive here
by plane or boat. Alaska Airlines and the Alaska Marine Highway System
stop in Sitka on a regular schedule.
Alaska capital Juneau, is 95 miles away by
air. Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, is 592 air miles away. Seattle is a
quick 862 air miles.
The climate is mild, averaging 34 degrees
in January to 61 in July. Our rainfall averages close to 90 inches a year
with snowfall at nearly 40 inches a year.
How big is Sitka?
There are close to 9,000 permanent residents in Sitka, and about 14 miles
of paved roads in and around town. You can walk across the heart of town
in seven and a half minutes.
What's Sitka's history?
Baranof Island is home to the Tlingit Indians who have lived here for
centuries. In the early 19th century, the Russians, interested primarily
in developing a commercial fur trade from local sea otters, made Sitka the
capital of Russian America. With the sale of Alaska to the U.S. in 1867,
"Western" culture rooted itself in Sitka alongside the indigenous
Tlingits.
What's Sitka's economy today?
Health
care, fishing and tourism are the largest revenue bases for Sitka today.
Efforts to diversify the economy are leading to more entrepreneurial
businesses growing across the entire community. |
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"My
experience with the Institute has deepened my recognition of the value of
understanding where I live and what I should try to give back."
Dan Morrow
Symposium participant
Boise, Idaho |
