1. 1. SITKA, ALASKA
2. 2. History Nestled at the foot of magnificent glacial carved mountains facing the Pacific Ocean on Baranof Island, Sitka is located on the outer coast of Alaskas Inside Passage and lies at the heart of the largest temperate rain forest in the world, the Tongass National Forest. With views of island-studded waters and forests descending to the waters edge, Sitka is home to just under 9,000 people. There are one of the oldest and most culturally significant communities in Alaska. "Sitka" is a contraction of "Shee-Atika" ("People on the side of Shee"), the expression the original Tlingit Indian inhabitants used to describe themselves and their location on the western coast of what is now called Baranof Island. In 1804 the Russian Empire forced its way into Sitka, and occupied the site until the sale of Alaska in 1867.
3. 3. Culture The Tlingit have lived continuously in Sitka for over 50 centuries. Discover age-old stories of the Tlingit people at Sitka National Historical Park (known as "Totem Park" by locals) and the adjacent Sitka Cultural Center. Here, totems carved by the masterful hands of Tlingit and Haida Indians can be seen along a pathway that meanders through the rain-forest.
4. 4. Weather
5. 5. Sitka Government The City and Borough of Sitka has an Assembly- Municipal Administrator form of government in which the elected Mayor and Assembly members establish policy. Those policies are then implemented by the Municipal Administrator who is appointed by, and reports to, the Assembly. The mayor works with the Assembly members to establish city policy. The Municipal Administrator is responsible for the day-to- day administration of Sitka's government.
6. 6. www.cityofsitka.com City and Borough of Sitka
7. 7. Events Alaska Day Festival Sitka Whalefest
8. 8. Events Sitka Seafood Festival Sitka Summer Music Festival
9. 9. The New Archangel Dancers mission is to promote and encourage interest in Alaska's Russian History and culture through sharing of ethnic folk dance and song. These were evident in Sitka during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The Dancers support performing arts in the community of Sitka, and promote and encourage tourism. New Archangel Dancers
10. 10. Sitka loves the Arts
11. 11. They have annualSitka Summer Music Festival provides world-class chamber music. The festival just celebrated it's 40th anniversary, and has been used as a model for chamber music festivals all over the country. Sitka Fine Arts Camp Whale fest, Sitka ArtiGras, HomeSkillet Fest and the Sitka Monthly Grind Sitka loves the Arts
12. 12. Mt. Edgecumbe
13. 13. Salmon are a pillar of life in Southeast Alaska. They are essential to the ecosystem of the rainforest, and they drive the culture and economy of this region. The life cycles of salmon are intricately woven into the life of the Tongass. The salmon the habitat of the rainforest to survive, while the people and the rainforest in turn need the salmon to survive. Local Food - Salmon
14. 14. Wildlife Bald Eagles Whales
15. 15. Wildlife Brown Bear Seabirds
16. 16. Sitka National Historical Park ThisThis scenic 107 acre park preserves and interprets the site of a Tlingit Indian Fort and the battle fought between the Russians and the Tlingits in 1804. A fine collection of Haida & Tlingit totem poles were moved there from the Louisiana Exposition in St. Louis in 1904, and in April, 1996, a locally carved totem was raised in traditional ceremonial style. May to Sept. $4/person, family pass $15, Gold Age, Golden Access, Golden Eagle & National Park passes honored. Children 15 years and under free. Attractions
17. 17. Important collection of Russian Orthodox art and rare church treasures. Built in 1844-48, it was totally destroyed by fire in January of 1966. Many of the precious icons and religious objects were salvaged and are in the rebuilt structure. St. Michaels Russian Orthodox Cathedral
18. 18. Houses one of the best native Alaskan collections anywhere. Sheldon Jackson Museum
19. 19. A pioneering wildlife project, the Raptor Center has for years proven that dedicated volunteer effort and innovative veterinary medicine can make a life-or-death difference on Alaska's raptors (birds of prey). Alaska Raptor Center
20. 20. Dedicated in July 1995, Whale Park provides an opportunity to view wildlife (from the boardwalk), including humpback whales in the late fall and early spring months. The park is located about 6 miles south of downtown and has a small sheltered picnic area and free viewing scopes. Whale Park
21. 21. (Baranof Castle Site) An Early stronghold of the Kiksadi clan. Later a succession of Russian buildings were erected on this site. The last one, known as "Baranof's Castle", was erected in 1837, and perished in a fire 1898. On October 18, 1867, it was the site of the transfer of Alaska to the United States. Each year, Alaska Day is still celebrated Oct. 18. Baranof Castle Hill
22. 22. A 501 (c)3 non-profit education and rescue center with an exquisite three- quarter acre habitat for orphaned Brown Bear cubs complete with covered viewing areas. Alaska Brown Bear viewing in a natural type setting. .75 Acre exhibit replicates the Southeast Alaska Brown Bear habitat. Fortress of the Bear
23. 23. Built in 1967, during Alaska's Centennial celebration, the building is still one of the finest in the state. It houses the Sitka Historical Society, a local history collection located in the Sitka Historical Museum (formerly known as the Isabel Miller Museum), an auditorium for public use, Baranof Arts and Crafts Association (in the summer months), a wildlife display and an information desk (with visitor information on it, in the summer months). HARRIGAN CENTENNIAL HALL
24. 24. WW II headquarters for military forces who served in Sitka. During WW II, Japonski Island was connected by a man-made causeway in the 1940's to the surrounding chain of islands which served as a location for bunkers and gunning sites. Though the bunkers and sites are not well preserved, they are accessible by boat. Japonski Island
25. 25. The oldest intact Russian building in Sitka was built in 1842, by the Russian American Company as a residence for the Bishop of the Orthodox Church. Bishop Innocent (Ivan Veniaminov) was its first resident. The building and grounds are managed by the National Park Service. It has been restored to the 1850's historic period when it functioned as a school, Bishop's residence, and a chapel. Registered as a National Historic Landmark. Russian Bishops House
26. 26. Totem Square contains a Russian cannon and three anchors recovered from the Sitka vicinity, probably lost by early British or American explorers. Totem Square
27. 27. See an artist's mural of the Southeast Alaska ecosystem, an 800 gallon Wall of Water exhibit. Feel the spiny skin of a star fish, the soft tentacles of a sea anemone, and the coarse shell of an abalone as your hands roam through the three ocean-water touch tanks. View the feeding of four species of salmon in the non-profit hatchery. Sitka Sound Science Center
28. 28. In a state where fishing is legendary, Sitka is simply an angler's paradise. The halibut are among the biggest in the world and the salmon fishing is world class. Sitka boasts the highest saltwater sport fishing catch rate for King Salmon in the State. Saltwater Fishing
29. 29. On Memorial Day Weekend, the derby awards thousands of dollars in cash and prizes to contending fishermen. Freshwater Fishing
30. 30. www.sitka.com
31. 31. www.sitka.org
32. 32. Videos of Beautiful Sitka, Alaska
33. 33. Videos of Beautiful Sitka, Alaska