Sitka, Alaska

USA / Alaska / Sitka /
Sitka is a unified city-borough with a population of 8,881 at the 2010 census. It is the the fourth largest city in Alaska.

Sitka was originally inhabited by a major tribe of Tlingits, who called the village "Shee Atika." It was discovered by the Russian Vitus Bering expedition in 1741. The city was founded as Novoarkhangelsk (New Arkhangel, after the city in Russia) in 1804, following a failed settlement attempt in 1799 that was destroyed by the Tlingits. In 1808, it was designated the capital of Russian America. In 1867 it was the site of the ceremony in which the Russian flag was lowered and the American flag raised, following the purchase of Alaska by the United States. Remained the capital of the District of Alaska until 1906, when the capital was moved to Juneau. Expanded after World War Two when an air base was built on nearby Japonski Island. The borough was incorporated in 1963, and the city-borough's charter was adopted in 1971.

City Website:
www.cityofsitka.com

Overview & History:
www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/commdb/CIS.cfm?Comm_Boro_N...

Photos:
www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/photos/comm_photos.cfm?com...

Webcams:
- www.sitka.com
- www.sitka.net/livewebcam.shtml
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sitka_City_and_Borough,_Alaska
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   57°4'3"N   135°19'46"W

Comments

  • Vitus Bering was not a Russian. He was a Dane sailing on behalf of Russia.