- Community Type: 1st Class City
- Current
Population: 4087
- Borough
Name: Unorganized
- Regional
Native Corporation: Aleut Corporation
- REAA/School
District: Unalaska City School District
- Latitude:
53° 52' N
- Longitude:
166° 32' W
- See Map
of the region
- Land Area:
115.80
- Water
Area: 98.60
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| Location:
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Unalaska overlooks Iliuliuk Bay and Dutch Harbor on Unalaska
Island in the Aleutian Chain. It lies 800 air miles from Anchorage,
a two- to three-hour flight, and 1,700 miles northwest of Seattle.
The name Dutch Harbor is often applied to the portion of the
City on Amaknak Island, which is connected to Unalaska Island
by bridge. Dutch Harbor is actually within the boundaries of
the City of Unalaska.
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| History:
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More than 1,000 Aleuts lived in 24 settlements on Unalaska and
Amaknak Islands in 1759. It became a Russian trading port for
the fur seal industry in 1768. In 1787, several hunters were
enslaved and relocated by the Russian American Company to the
Pribilof Islands to work in the fur seal harvest. In 1825, the
Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Ascension of Christ was constructed.
The founding priest, Ivan Veniaminov, composed the first Aleut
writing system with local assistance, and translated scripture
into Aleut. Since Aleuts were not forced to give up their language
or culture by the Russian Orthodox priests, the Church remained
strong in the community. By this time, however, between 1830
and 1840, only 200 to 400 Aleuts lived in Unalaska. In 1880,
the Methodist Church opened a school, clinic and the Jesse Lee
Home for orphans. During the World War II, on June 3, 1942, Unalaska
was attacked by the Japanese. Almost all of the Aleuts on the
Island were interned to Southeast Alaska for the duration of
the War. The Russian Orthodox Church was nearly destroyed by
evacuating U.S. Army troops. The Church is the oldest Russian
Orthodox cruciform-style church in North America, and is currently
listed among the 12 most endangered national historic landmarks.
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| Culture:
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Unalaska is primarily non-Native, although the community is culturally
diverse due to fish processing activities. Subsistence activities
remain important to the Aleut community and many long-term non-Native
residents as well.
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| Economy:
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Unalaska's economy is based on commercial fishing, fish processing,
and fleet services such as fuel, repairs and maintenance, trade
and transportation. The community enjoys a strategic position
as the center of a rich fishing area, and for transshipment of
cargo between Pacific Rim trading partners. The Great Circle
shipping route from major west coast ports to the Pacific Rim
passes within 50 miles of Unalaska, and Dutch Harbor provides
a natural protection for fishing vessels. The harbor ranks as
the number one port in the nation for seafood volume and value.
794 million pounds of crab, groundfish and other finfish were
anded in Unalaska in 1993, at a value of $161 million - 52% of
Alaska's entire commercial fish value. 89 residents hold commercial
fishing permits. Onshore and offshore processors provide some
local employment. However, migrating workers are often brought
in during the peak season. Rapid growth occurred between 1988
and 1992 as the pollock fishery developed; the economy has now
stabilized with a reduced processing workforce. Unalaska has
a budding tourist industry and a new Convention and Visitors
Bureau. During 1996, Unalaska will receive nearly 6,000 cruise
ships visitors.
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| Transportation:
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Daily scheduled flights serve the community at the State-owned
airport. A seaplane base is also available. The State Ferry operates
bi-monthly from Kodiak between May and October. A refurbished
World War II sub dock offers extensive large boat repair services.
Boat harbor facilities serve fishing vessels and shipping with
5,200 feet of moorage and 1,232 feet of floating dock. Moorage
is available for 88 boats, and the small boat harbor is being
expanded to provide an additional 150 slips in 1997. The Corps
of Engineers plan to make harbor improvements and to develop
a second small boat harbor in South Channel, Iliuliuk Bay, in
1999.
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| Climate:
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January temperatures range from 25 to 35; summers range from
43 to 53. Average annual precipitation is 57.7 inches. The mean
wind speed is 17 MPH.
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