Juneau Alaska

Location and Climate
Located on the mainland of Southeast Alaska, Juneau was built at the heart of the Inside Passage along the Gastineau Channel. Juneau is located in the Juneau Recording District. The area encompasses 2,594 sq. miles of land and 488 sq. miles of water. Juneau has a mild, maritime climate. Average summer temperatures range from 44 to 65; winter temperatures range from 25 to 35. It is in the mildest climate zone in Alaska. Annual precipitation is 92 inches in downtown Juneau, and 54 inches ten miles north at the airport. Snowfall averages 101 inches. 

History, Culture and Demographics
The area was a fish camp for the indigenous Tlingit Indians. In 1880, nearly 20 years before the gold rushes to the Klondike and Nome, Joe Juneau and Richard Harris were lead to Gold Creek by Chief Kowee of the Auk Tribe. They found mother lode deposits upstream, staked their mining claims, and developed a 160 acre incorporated city they called Harrisburg, which brought many prospectors to the area. The state capital was transferred from Sitka to Juneau in 1906 while Alaska was a U.S. Territory. The Treadwell and Ready Bullion mines across the channel on Douglas Island became world-scale mines, operating from 1882 to 1917. In 1916, the Alaska-Juneau gold mine was built on the mainland, and became the largest operation of its kind in the world. In 1917, a cave-in and flood closed the Treadwell mine on Douglas. It produced $66 million in gold in its 35 years of operation. Fishing, canneries, transportation and trading services, and a sawmill contributed to Juneau's growth through the early 1900s. The A-J Mine closed in 1944, after producing over $80 million in gold. Alaska became the 49th state in 1959.

12.9% of the population are Alaska Natives. A federally recognized tribe is located in the community. As the state capital, Juneau is supported largely by State and Federal employment, and by tourists cruising the Inside Passage. It is the third largest community in Alaska. Juneau has a Tlingit history with a strong historical influence from the early prospectors and boom town that grew around full-scale gold mining operations.

Economy and Transportation
The State, City & Borough of Juneau, and federal agencies provide nearly 45% of the employment in the community. Juneau is home to State Legislators and their staff during the legislative session between January and May. Tourism is a significant contributor to the private sector economy during the summer months, providing a $130 million income and nearly 2,000 jobs. Over 560,000 visitors are expected to arrive during 1998 from 550 cruise ship dockings. The Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau Icefield air tours, Tracy Arm Fjord Glacier, and the new Mount Roberts Tram are local attractions. Support services for logging and fish processing contribute to the economy. 511 residents hold commercial fishing permits. The state operates a hatchery which increases the local salmon population, and cold storage facilities process over 2 million pounds of seafood yearly. The Kensington Gold Mine is currently undergoing the permitting and development process. The Kennecott Green's Creek Mine produces gold, silver, lead and zinc, and is the largest silver mine in North America.

Juneau is accessible only by air and sea. Scheduled jet flights and air taxis are available at the Municipally-owned Juneau International Airport. The Airport includes a paved 8,456' runway, and a seaplane landing area. Marine facilities include a seaplane landing area at Juneau Harbor, two deep draft docks, five small boat harbors, a State ferry terminal. The Alaska Marine Highway System and cargo barges provide year-round services.


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Source: Department of Community & Economic Development