Sitka (Baranof Island, Alaska)

Sitka is a port town located on the western shore of Baranof Island in Alexander Archipelago (Southeast Alaska). This picturesque town was the capital of Russian-ruled Alaska for a total of 126 years. Vestiges of Russian czars' fur-trading empire are evident throughout Sitka. Although it's been American since 1867, the city provides a pleasant blend of American, Indian and Russian cultures. On clear days, fronting the Pacific Ocean, Sitka rivals Juneau AK for the beauty of its surroundings.

In 1799, the Russian explorer Alexander Baranof established New Arkhangelsk - a settlement adjacent to Tlingit village of Sitka. This was the foundation of the first permanent Russian government settlement in North America. In 1902 the settlement was destroyed by Tlingit Indians in an attempt to reclaim their ancestral home. In 1804 their brief victory ended with the return of Baranof, accompanied by Russian warships. They retook Sitka in the Battle of Alaska, then the city became the Russian capital of North America.

In 1867 the United States purchased Alaska. With the rapid population growth and the discovery of gold, in 1906 Alaska's capital moved north - to Juneau.

Sites of interest in Sitka AK include the Russian Blockhouse, Russian Cemetery, Russian Orthodox St. Michael's Cathedral (1848, rebuilt after destruction by fire in 1966), Sheldon Jackson College Museum housing Russian and native mementoes. Nearby, Sitka National Historic Park boasts Native artists at work and a trail lined with totem poles through the forest leads to the site of the Battle of Alaska. Remember to visit the Raptor/Eagle Rehabilitation Centre, where injured owls, bald eagles and other birds are treated and released back into the wild. It's also possible to take various wildlife, nature and fishing quests by foot, bike, boat or kayak.

Baranof Island (aka Baranov Island, Sitka Island) is located in Alaska's Alexander Archipelago. The island has length 100 mi (200 km) and width 30 mi (50 km), with a total land area of 1607 mi2 (4160 km2), ranking it the USA's 10th largest and the word's 137th largest. Its coastline is 617 mi (993 km). Its total population is around 8,500. Baranof is the smallest of Alaska's ABC Islands (Admiralty, Baranof, Chichagof). All three are located in the Alexander Archipelago and are part of the Tongass National Forest. Most of the islands' area is protected wilderness, with a minimal human presence on them. A large part of Baranof is designated as "South Baranof Wilderness".

The other (in the "USA top 10") largest Alaskan islands are Kodiak, Prince of Wales, Chichagof, St Lawrence, Admiralty, Nunivak, Unimak, and Baranof.

The list of communities on Sitka Island includes: Baranof Warm Springs, Port Alexander, Port Armstrong, Port Walter and Sitka. All are located on the eastern coast. Important industries for the locals are fishing (tours and commercial), seafood processing, tourism (also by cruise ship passengers), hunting tours (brown bears, Sitka deer).

Chatham Strait

Chatham Strait is a narrow waterway (passage) in Alexander Archipelago that separates Baranof Island and Chichagof Island (to the west) from Kuiu Island and Admiralty Island (to the east).

Chatham Strait has length 240 km (150 mi) and width 5-16 km (3-10 mi), extending southwards from the junction of Lynn Canal and Icy Strait to the open sea.

Sitka cruise terminal