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Location and Climate
Nome was built along the Bering Sea, on the south coast of the Seward Peninsula, facing Norton Sound. It lies 539
air miles northwest of Anchorage, a 75-minute flight. It lies 102 miles south of the Arctic Circle, and 161 miles
east of Russia. The community lies at approximately 64.501110° North Latitude and -165.406390° (West) Longitude.
(Sec. 26, T011S, R034W, Kateel River Meridian.) Nome is located in the Cape Nome Recording District. The area encompasses
12.5 sq. miles of land and 9.1 sq. miles of water. January temperatures range from -3 to 11; July temperatures
are typically 44 to 65. Average annual precipitation is 18 inches, including 56 inches of snowfall.
History, Culture and Demographics
Malemiut, Kauweramiut and Unalikmiut Eskimos have occupied the Seward Peninsula historically, with a well-developed
culture adapted to the environment. Around 1870 to 1880, the caribou declined on the Peninsula and the Eskimos
changed their diets. Gold discoveries in the Nome area had been reported as far back as 1865 by Western Union surveyors
seeking a route across Alaska and the Bering Sea. But it was a $1500-to-the-pan gold strike on tiny Anvil Creek
in 1898 by three Scandinavians, Jafet Lindeberg, Erik Lindblom, and John Brynteson, that brought thousands of miners
to the "Eldorado." Almost overnight an isolated stretch of tundra fronting the beach was transformed
into a tent-and-log cabin city of 20,000 prospectors, gamblers, claim jumpers, saloon keepers, and prostitutes.
The gold-bearing creeks had been almost completely staked, when some entrepreneur discovered the "golden sands
of Nome." With nothing more than shovels, buckets, rockers and wheel barrows, thousands of idle miners descended
upon the beaches. Two months later the golden sands had yielded one million dollars in gold (at $16 an ounce).
A narrow-gauge railroad and telephone line from Nome to Anvil Creek was built in 1900. The City of Nome was formed
in 1901. By 1902 the more easily reached claims were exhausted and large mining companies with better equipment
took over the mining operations. Since the first strike on tiny Anvil Creek, Nome's gold fields have yielded $136
million. The gradual depletion of gold, a major influenza epidemic in 1918, the depression, and finally World War
II, each influenced Nome's population.
A disastrous fire in 1934 destroyed most of the City.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Nome Eskimo Community. The population of the community
consists of 58.7% Alaska Native or part Native. The population of Nome is a mixture of Inupiat Eskimos and non-Natives.
Former villagers from King Island also live in Nome. Nome is the finish line for the 1,100-mile Iditarod Sled Dog
Race from Anchorage, held each March.
Economy and Transportation
Nome is the supply, service and transportation center of the Bering Strait region. Government services provide
the majority of employment. 60 residents hold commercial fishing permits. Retail services, transportation, mining,
medical and other businesses provide year-round income. Several small gold mines continue to provide some employment.
Nome is a regional center of transportation for surrounding villages. There are two State-owned airports. The Nome
Airport has a two paved runways, one is 6,001' long and 150' wide, and the other is 5,576' by 150' wide. The entire
seaward side of the City is protected by a 3,350-foot-long sea wall of granite boulders. These huge rocks were
trucked in from Cape Nome, 13 miles distant, at a cost of more than one million dollars. A port and berthing facilities
accommodate vessels up to 18 feet of draft. Lighterage services distribute cargo to area communities. Local roads
lead to Teller, Council and the Kougarok River
Cities and towns
Brevig Mission ~ Diomede ~ Elim ~ Gambell ~ Golovin ~ Koyuk ~ Nome
Port Clarence ~ Savoonga ~ Shaktoolik ~ Shishmaref ~ St. Michael ~ Stebbins
~ Teller ~ Unalakleet ~ Wales ~ White Mountain ~
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