Sitka, Alaska
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| Sitka, Alaska | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Sitka |
| Settlement type | Consolidated city-borough |
| Pushpin label | Sitka |
| Coordinates | 57, 03, 12, N... |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | Alaska |
| Subdivision type2 | Borough |
| Subdivision name2 | Consolidated city-borough |
| Established title | Settled |
| Established date | c. 10,000 years ago by Tlingit |
| Established title2 | Russian fort established |
| Established date2 | 1799 |
| Established title3 | Incorporated |
| Established date3 | December 2, 1971 (as city-borough) |
| Government type | Council–manager |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | Steven Eisenbeisz |
| Leader title1 | Administrator |
| Leader name1 | John Leach |
| Area total km2 | 12461.5 |
| Area total sq mi | 4811.4 |
| Area land km2 | 7433.7 |
| Area land sq mi | 2870.2 |
| Area water km2 | 5027.8 |
| Area water sq mi | 1941.2 |
| Elevation ft | 26 |
| Population total | 8458 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population density km2 | 1.14 |
| Population density sq mi | 2.95 |
| Timezone | Alaska (AKST) |
| Utc offset | -9 |
| Timezone DST | AKDT |
| Utc offset DST | -8 |
| Postal code type | ZIP code |
| Postal code | 99835 |
| Area code | 907 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 02-70540 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 1419986 |
| Website | www.cityofsitka.com |
Sitka, Alaska. It is a unified city-borough located on Baranof Island and the southern half of Chichagof Island in the Alexander Archipelago of the Pacific Ocean. As the largest city-borough by area in the United States, it is a community steeped in the rich heritage of the Tlingit people and the legacy of Russian America. The city serves as a regional hub for government, healthcare, and education in Southeastern Alaska.
History
The area has been inhabited for millennia by the Tlingit, specifically the Kiks.ádi clan, who established a fort at Noow Tlein (Castle Hill). Russian exploration, led by Alexander Baranov of the Russian-American Company, resulted in the founding of Fort Saint Michael in 1799, which was destroyed by the Tlingit in the Battle of Sitka in 1802. Baranov returned with forces including the warship *Neva* and established Novo-Arkhangelsk in 1804, following the pivotal Battle of Sitka. The settlement became the capital of Russian America and the seat of the Russian Orthodox Church in the region, with Saint Michael's Cathedral being a prominent landmark. The Alaska Purchase transfer ceremony occurred here on October 18, 1867, at Castle Hill, after which it served as the capital of the Department of Alaska until 1906. Significant 20th-century developments included the establishment of the Mount Edgecumbe High School and the Sitka National Historical Park.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city-borough encompasses a vast area of land and water, making it the largest incorporated city by area in the U.S. It is situated on the west coast of Baranof Island, fronting the Sitka Sound. The landscape is dominated by the Tongass National Forest and features dramatic geography including the dormant volcano Mount Edgecumbe on Kruzof Island. The Alaska Marine Highway provides vital transportation links, with the city serving as a major port of call. The climate is characterized as an oceanic or maritime climate, heavily influenced by the Pacific Ocean.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 8,458, representing a diverse community. A significant portion of residents identify with one or more races, and there is a substantial population of Alaska Natives, primarily Tlingit. Other notable groups include those of German, Irish, English, and Norwegian ancestry. The city is home to several institutions that serve a broader regional population, including the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium hospital and the University of Alaska Southeast Sitka campus.
Economy
The economy has historically been driven by maritime industries. Commercial fishing for species like salmon, halibut, and herring remains a cornerstone, supported by the Sitka Sound Science Center. The Sitka Seafood Festival celebrates this heritage. Healthcare, through the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, and public administration are major employers. Education, via the University of Alaska Southeast and the Sitka Fine Arts Camp, also contributes. Tourism is a growing sector, with visitors drawn to sites like the Sitka National Historical Park, Alaska Raptor Center, and Fortress of the Bear.
Culture and recreation
Sitka boasts a vibrant cultural scene that blends Tlingit, Russian, and American influences. Key institutions include the Sheldon Jackson Museum, which houses an extensive collection of Alaska Native artifacts, and the annual Sitka Summer Music Festival. Outdoor recreation is central to life, with exceptional opportunities for kayaking, hiking on trails like the Indian River Trail, wildlife viewing (including whale watching and observing brown bears), and fishing. The Sitka Pioneers Home and the restored Russian Bishop's House are notable historic sites.
Government
Sitka operates under a council–manager form of government, as a unified home rule city-borough. The Sitka Assembly is the legislative body, and an appointed administrator manages daily operations. It is part of Alaska's Senate District A and House District 2 in the Alaska Legislature. For federal representation, it lies within Alaska's at-large congressional district. Key local facilities include the Sitka Police Department, Sitka Fire Department, and the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport.