Juneau

Juneau
Name	Juneau
Settlement type	Capital city
Nickname	The Last Frontier's Capital
Pushpin label	Juneau
Coordinates	58, 18, 07, N...
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	Alaska
Subdivision type2	Borough
Subdivision name2	City and Borough of Juneau
Established title	Founded
Established date	1881
Established title1	Incorporated
Established date1	1900
Government type	Council–manager government
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Beth Weldon
Leader title1	City manager
Leader name1	Rorie Watt
Area total km2	8428.4
Area land km2	6995.6
Area water km2	1432.8
Elevation m	17
Elevation ft	56
Population total	32,255
Population as of	2020
Population density km2	4.6
Timezone	Alaska Time Zone
Utc offset	−9
Timezone DST	AKDT
Utc offset DST	−8
Postal code type	ZIP Codes
Postal code	99801–99803, 99811–99812, 99821, 99824, 99850
Area code	907
Blank name	FIPS code
Blank info	02-36400
Blank1 name	GNIS feature ID
Blank1 info	1404263
Website	juneau.org

Juneau. The capital city of the U.S. state of Alaska, it is a unified municipality officially known as the City and Borough of Juneau. Situated in the Alaska Panhandle along the Gastineau Channel, it is the second-largest city in the United States by area. The city's economy and identity are deeply intertwined with public administration, tourism, and its dramatic natural setting amidst the Tongass National Forest.

History

The area was historically home to the Tlingit people, specifically the Auke and Taku peoples, who utilized the rich resources of the region. Following the Alaska Purchase in 1867, American prospectors arrived, with Joe Juneau and Richard Harris discovering significant gold deposits in 1880, leading to the establishment of a mining camp. The subsequent Alaska gold rushes, including the Juneau Gold Belt mining, spurred rapid growth, and the settlement was first named Harrisburg before being renamed and incorporated in 1900. It replaced Sitka as the capital of the Alaska Territory in 1906, a status it retained upon statehood in 1959. Major historical operations included the Alaska-Juneau Mine and the Alaska Gastineau Mining Company.

Geography

Juneau is located on the mainland of North America but is not connected by road to the rest of the continental United States, making access primarily dependent on the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system or Juneau International Airport. The city sprawls across 3,255 square miles, bordered by Canada's British Columbia to the east and the immense Tongass National Forest. Its terrain is dominated by steep mountains like Mount Juneau and Mount Roberts, the Juneau Icefield, and waterways such as the Gastineau Channel and Lynn Canal. Notable natural features include the Mendenhall Glacier, part of the Mendenhall Valley, and the Taku River.

Demographics

According to the 2020 United States census, the population was 32,255. The community is ethnically diverse, with significant representation from Alaska Natives, including the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples. Other major groups include those of German, Irish, English, and Norwegian ancestry. Key population centers are the downtown core, the Mendenhall Valley, and Douglas. Major institutions influencing the populace include the University of Alaska Southeast and the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska.

Economy

As the state capital, the largest employer is the Government of Alaska, including the Alaska Legislature and numerous state agencies. Tourism is a vital seasonal industry, centered around cruise ship passengers visiting from May to September, with major operators like Princess Cruises and Holland America Line. Historically, mining for gold and silver was foundational, while contemporary sectors include fishing, particularly for salmon and halibut, retail trade, and health care services provided by facilities like Bartlett Regional Hospital. The United States Coast Guard also maintains a significant presence.

Government

Juneau operates under a Council–manager government system within the unified City and Borough of Juneau. The elected Juneau Assembly appoints a professional city manager to oversee daily administrative operations. The city is the seat of the Alaska Supreme Court, the Alaska Court of Appeals, and the Alaska Department of Law. It is represented in the United States Congress by its congressional delegation and is part of Alaska's at-large congressional district. Key local facilities include the Juneau Police Department and the Dimond Courthouse.

Culture and recreation

The city is a cultural hub, home to the Alaska State Museum, the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, and the Perseverance Theatre. Annual events include the Alaska Folk Festival, Juneau Jazz and Classics festival, and the Golden North Salmon Derby. Outdoor activities are paramount, with access to the Juneau Icefield for helicopter skiing, the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, and extensive trails in areas like the Eaglecrest Ski Area. Cultural heritage is preserved by organizations such as the Sealaska Heritage Institute, and the city is a gateway to Admiralty Island National Monument and Tracy Arm.

Category:Juneau, Alaska Category:Populated places in the City and Borough of Juneau, Alaska Category:State capitals in the United States Category:1881 establishments in Alaska