Kotzebue

Kotzebue is a city located in the Northwest Arctic Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. It is one of the largest cities in the Inupiaq region and serves as a major hub for healthcare services. The city is named after the Baltic German explorer Otto von Kotzebue, who explored the area in the 19th century.

Geography

Kotzebue lies on a gravel spit at the end of the Baldwin Peninsula in the Kotzebue Sound. It is located approximately 33 miles north of the Arctic Circle on Alaska's western coast. The city is surrounded by the Kotzebue-Kobuk Lowland, a large area of flat, marshy tundra drained by the Kobuk River and other smaller streams.

Healthcare in Kotzebue

Kotzebue is home to the Maniilaq Association, a tribal health organization that provides health, tribal and social services to residents of Northwest Arctic Borough, the North Slope Borough, and the village of Point Hope. The Maniilaq Health Center is a critical access hospital, which also houses long-term care, outpatient and dental services.

The health center provides a range of medical services, including emergency medicine, pediatrics, women's health, dental care, behavioral health, and preventive medicine. It also offers telemedicine services, allowing patients in remote areas to consult with healthcare professionals.

Demographics

As of the 2010 United States Census, the population of Kotzebue was 3,201. The racial makeup of the city was primarily Inupiat Eskimo, with a minority of non-Native residents. The primary industries in Kotzebue are education, healthcare, transportation, and public administration.

Climate

Kotzebue has a subarctic climate, with long, extremely cold winters, and short, cool summers. Despite its Arctic location, the influence of the Chukchi Sea helps to moderate temperatures somewhat.

Education

The Northwest Arctic Borough School District operates the local public schools, including Kotzebue Middle/High School and June Nelson Elementary School.

Transportation

Kotzebue is served by the Ralph Wien Memorial Airport, which offers daily flights to Anchorage. The city is also accessible by boat, snowmobile, and dog sled.