-
Community Type: 2nd Class City
- Current
Population: 798
- Borough
Name: Unorganized
- Regional
Native Corporation: Bering Straits Native Corp.
- REAA/School
District: Bering Straits Schools
- Latitude:
63° 52' N
- Longitude:
160° 47' W
- See Map
of the region
- Land Area:
2.90
- Water Area:
2.30
|
| Location:
|
|
Unalakleet is located on Norton Sound at the mouth of the Unalakleet
River, 148 miles southeast of Nome and 395 miles northwest of
Anchorage.
|
|
|
|
| History:
|
|
Archaeologists have dated house remnants along the beach ridge
from 200 B.C. to 300 A.D. Unalakleet has been a major trade center
as the terminus for the Kaltag Portage, an important winter travel
route connecting to the Yukon River. Indians on the upper river
were considered "professional" traders who had a monopoly
on the Indian-Eskimo trade across the Kaltag Portage. The Russian-American
Company built a post in the 1830s. In 1901, the Army Signal Corps
built over 605 miles of telegraph line from St. Michael to Unalakleet,
over the Portage to Kaltag and Fort Gibbon.
|
|
| Culture:
|
|
Unalakleet has a history of diverse cultures and trade activity.
The local economy is the most active in Norton Sound, along with
a traditional Eskimo subsistence lifestyle. The sale of alcohol
is prohibited in the community, although importation and possession
are allowed.
|
|
|
| Economy:
|
|
Both commercial fishing and subsistence activities are major components
of Unalakleet's economy. 121 residents hold commercial fishing
permits. A fish processing plant is under construction. Government
and school positions are relatively numerous. A herd of musk ox
is maintained near Unalakleet, and the underwool (qiviut) is spun
and hand-knit by Natives into garments.
|
|
|
| Transportation:
|
|
Unalakleet has a State-owned 6,200' runway which recently completed
major improvements. There are regular flights to Anchorage. Cargo
is lightered from Nome; there is a dock. Local overland travel
is mainly by ATVs, snowmachines and dogsleds in winter.
|
|
|
| Climate:
|
|
Unalakleet has a subarctic climate with considerable maritime
influences. Winters are cold and dry. Average summer temperatures
range 47 to 62; winter temperatures range from -4 to 11. Precipitation
averages 14 inches annually, with 41 inches of snow.
|
|
|
