Sitka is a city and borough located in southeastern Alaska. It is historically considered as the most notable Alaskan settlement about 95 miles (150 km) southwest of Juneau on the western coast of Baranof Island in the Alexander Archipelago. Interestingly this is the only city in southeastern Alaska on the Pacific Ocean.

Sitka’s Aboriginal

The city date back to a Russian expedition in 1741, and Old Sitka, also called Fort St. Michael, was founded in 1799 by the Russian governor of Alaska Aleksandr Baranov (Baranof). The Tlingit destroyed the fort in 1802. He area was commonly known as Sitka (a Tlingit phrase meaning “on the outside of Shee [Baranof Island]” and transferred from Russia to the United States on October 18, 1867.  Juneau became the territorial capital and seat of Government in 1906.

Economy of Sitka

Sitka’s economic activities are mainly fishing, canning, lumbering and tourism. Popular tourist attractions are the St. Michael’s Cathedral. the first Russian church built in North America; and the Sheldon Jackson College (1878). The museum house the oldest and best collections of native artifacts and Russian mementos.

Sitka’s Popular Tourist Destination

Sitka is situated in the Tongass National Forest and near the Sitka National Historical Park. It was the site of a pivotal battle between Russians and Tlingit Indians in 1804. The sire further offers visitors the opportunity to explore the Russian Bishop’s House, trails and totem poles. Another site to visit is a dormant volcano, Mount Edgecumbe (3,201 feet [976 meters]), in the Sitka harbor.

What are you waiting for? Plan your vacation to Sitka now and see the sites.