Page Contents for Arctic Village, Alaska

Statistics & Facts

Location

Weather & Climate

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Economy

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Statistics & Facts

The Alaska state capital is Juneau.
The population of Arctic Village is approximately 96 (1990), 152 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 50 (1990), 65 (2010).
The amount of land area in Arctic Village is 173.692 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 13.115 sq kilometers.
The distance from Arctic Village to Washington DC is 3569 miles.
The distance to the Alaska state capital is 780 miles. (as the crow flies)
Arctic Village is positioned 68.12 degrees north of the equator and 145.52 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Arctic Village average annual precipitation is 9 inches peryear.
Arctic Village average annual snowfall is 52.8 inches per year.

Location

about 300 miles north of Fairbanks and 100 miles north of Fort Yukon. Is is located on the east fork of the Chandalar River.
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Climate

continental subarctic. The summertime is very short but offers nice warm temperatures as a contrast to the harsh winters where the average low temperatures if well below zero. Temperatures of -50 to -60 are not uncommon and extreme temperatures can be as low as -70.
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History & History Related Items

Though this area was probably inhabited for thousands of years, the traditional residents have been the Neets'aii Gwichin. The tribe roved to many seasonal camps during the year, among them what would become Arctic Village. The tribes began to settle into more permanent villages with the acquisition of firearms. The first recorded resident of this site was Chief Christian in 1909. The local villagers wanted to protect their lands and way of life and pushed for the establishment of the Venetie Indian Reservation. When the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 was passed, the people gained title to the former reservation lands. They continue to use the area to hunt and fish.
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Attractions

The only year-round access to Arctic Village is by air and even that may be stopped during times of Ice fog. The airstrip is owned by the Tribal government here. Local residents move around by 4 wheeler and snowmachines. Some use dog teams.
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Economy & Industry

at the subsistence level. Hunting provides for most food with Caribou, moose, sheep, rabbit and more. Fish, waterfowl and berries are also used for food. Most employment is through the school, village council and stores. Some seasonal employment is also available.
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