Sitka City and Borough, AK

Sitka City and Borough
Unified city-borough
Coordinates: 57°3′0″N 135°20′0″W Fatal error: The format of the coordinate could not be determined. Parsing failed.
Country	United States
State	Alaska
Incorporated	December 2, 1971
Area
• Total	4,811 sq mi (12,461 km2)
• Land	2,840 sq mi (7,360 km2)
• Water	1,970 sq mi (5,101 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	8,458
• Density	1.8/sq mi (0.68/km2)
Time zone	UTC-9 (AKST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-8 (AKDT)
ZIP code	99835
Area code(s)	907
FIPS code	02-70570
GNIS feature ID	1417836

Sitka City and Borough is a unified city-borough located on the Alaska Panhandle, in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is the largest city-borough by total area in the United States. The city is situated on Baranof Island and the southern half of Chichagof Island in the Alexander Archipelago of the Pacific Ocean.

History

The area now known as Sitka has been inhabited by the Tlingit people for thousands of years. The name "Sitka" is derived from Sheet’ká, a contraction of the Tlingit name Shee At'iká, which means "People on the Outside of Shee" (Shee being the Tlingit name for Baranof Island). In 1799, Alexander Baranov of the Russian-American Company established a trading post in the area. The settlement was originally called "New Archangel" (Novo-Arkhangelsk). Sitka became the capital of Russian America in 1808. Following the Alaska Purchase in 1867, Sitka served as the capital of the Department of Alaska and later the District of Alaska until the capital was moved to Juneau in 1906.

Geography

Sitka is located on the west side of Baranof Island and the southern half of Chichagof Island, facing the Pacific Ocean. The city and borough encompass a total area of 12,461 square kilometers, of which 7,360 square kilometers is land and 5,101 square kilometers is water.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Sitka had a population of 8,458. The population density is low due to the large area of the borough. The city has a diverse population, including a significant number of Native Alaskans, particularly the Tlingit people.

Economy

The economy of Sitka is diverse, with major sectors including fishing, tourism, and healthcare. The city is a popular destination for cruise ships, and it is known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities.

Education

Sitka is served by the Sitka School District, which includes several elementary schools, a middle school, and Sitka High School. The city is also home to University of Alaska Southeast Sitka Campus, which offers a variety of degree programs and courses.

Healthcare

Sitka is served by SEARHC (SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium) Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital, which provides comprehensive healthcare services to the residents of the city and surrounding areas.

Transportation

Sitka is accessible only by air and sea. The Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport provides regular flights to and from Seattle, Juneau, and other regional destinations. The Alaska Marine Highway system also serves Sitka, providing ferry connections to other communities in Southeast Alaska.

Related Pages

• Alaska
• Baranof Island
• Chichagof Island
• Tlingit
• Russian America
• Alaska Purchase
• Juneau, Alaska
• Sitka School District
• University of Alaska Southeast