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Location and Climate
The Northwest Arctic Borough is the second-largest borough in Alaska, comprising approximately 39,000 square miles
along the Kotzebue Sound, Wullik, Noatak, Kobuk, Selawik, Buckland and Kugruk Rivers. It lies at approximately
66.900000° North Latitude and -162.583330° West Longitude . The area encompasses 35,898.3 sq. miles of
land and 4,863.7 sq. miles of water. The area experiences a transitional climate, characterized by long, cold winters
and cool summers. Temperatures range from -52 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Total precipitation averages 9 inches per
year and average annual snowfall is 47 inches.
History, Culture and Demographics
This area has been occupied by Inupiat Eskimos for at least 10,000 years. "Kikiktagruk" was the hub of
ancient arctic trading routes. Kotzebue Sound was "discovered" in 1818 by the German Lt. Otto Von Kotzebue
on behalf of Russia. In 1899 a post office was established in Kotzebue. Most cities in the borough developed as
supply stations for Interior gold mining, and were settled around schools and churches. The Borough was incorporated
as a First Class Borough in 1986 and became a Home Rule Borough in 1987.
The population of the community consists of 85.8% Alaska Native or part Native. The Borough population is primarily
Inupiat Eskimo, and subsistence activities are a vital part of the lifestyle. Residents rely on caribou, reindeer,
beluga whale, birds, four species of seals, berries, greens, and fish.
Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
This information is available on a community basis. Communities located within the Borough include the second-class
cities of Ambler, Buckland, Deering, Kiana, Kivalina, Kobuk, Kotzebue, Noorvik, Selawik, and Shungnak and the unincorporated
community of Noatak.
Economy and Transportation
Activities related to government, mining, health care, transportation, services and construction contribute to
the economy. The Red Dog Mine, 90 miles north of Kotzebue, is the world's largest zinc and lead mine, and provides
370 direct year-round jobs and over a quarter of the borough's wage and salary payroll. Cominco Alaska, Maniilaq
Association, the Northwest Arctic Borough School District, Veco Construction, and Kikiktagruk Inupiat Corp. (KIC)
are the borough's largest employers. The smaller communities rely on subsistence food-gathering and Native craft-making.
162 borough residents hold commercial fishing permits.
The City of Kotzebue is the "hub" of northwest Alaska and is the transfer point between ocean and inland
shipping. It does not have a natural harbor, and is ice-free for only 3 months each year. Deep draft vessels must
anchor 15 miles out, and cargo is lightered to the docking facility. Local barge services provide cargo to area
communities. Ralph Wien Memorial Airport supports daily jet service and air taxis to Anchorage via Nome.
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