What is the Capital of Alaska?

Alaska, despite being far from the contiguous United States, is renowned for its stunning natural beauty. It’s the largest state in the country, located in the far northwest of North America, separated from the rest of the U.S. by Canada. In this article, we will learn what is the capital of Alaska, where it is and more.

Capital of Alaska – Juneau

The city and borough of Juneau is the capital city of Alaska. The area that now forms part of modern-day Juneau was inhabited by Tlingit Indians. Juneau was founded in 1880 following the discovery of gold by Joe Juneau and Richard Harris and the influx of gold miners precipitated the establishment of the city.  The city was originally called Harrisburg, then Rockwell, before being named Juneau. It is now the second most populous city in Alaska after Anchorage, with around 32,000 residents.

Juneau is a unique capital city in many respects. It can only be reached by air or by water and has no roads connecting the city with other parts of the state. The people of Juneau do not seem to be keen on building any either. Over the past few decades, there has been some demand for the capital to be moved from Juneau, but that sentiment seems to only last for a while.

The Last Chance Mining Museum, the Shrine of St Therese, the Alaska State Museum, Nugget Falls, Mendenhall Glacier, and Mount Roberts Tramway are some of the main tourist attractions of Juneau. The area is known for hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and other outdoor activities.

Where is Juneau?

Juneau is located in the Alaskan Panhandle, to the southeast of the state on the Gastineau Channel. Juneau lies at the base of Mount Roberts(3,819 feet) and Mount Juneau(3,576 feet). The geographical coordinates of Juneau, Alaska, are approximately 58.3019° N latitude and 134.4197° W longitude.

Interesting Facts about Juneau

• Juneau is one of the biggest cities in the U.S. by size, covering more than 3,200 square miles. It’s larger than the states of Rhode Island and Delaware put together.
• Juneau has a coastal climate with mild temperatures and a lot of rain. It doesn’t get as cold as many people might think for Alaska.
• In Juneau, especially during clear, dark winter nights, you can see the Northern Lights very well.
• The city is known for its breathtaking natural beauty, including the Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the U.S.

Former Capitals of Alaska

Before Juneau became the capital of Alaska, a few other places served as the main centers for government at different times:

1. Sitka

   When Alaska was owned by Russia, Sitka was the capital. It stayed the capital until 1906 after the United States bought Alaska from Russia in 1867.

2. Nome

   Although Nome was never officially the capital, it was very important during the early 1900s because of the Gold Rush and acted as a key administrative and economic center for a while.

Related Links

• What is Alaska known for?
• What are the Key Facts of Alaska?
• When Did Alaska Become Part of the United States?