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Kodiak, Alaska

Kodiak, Alaska
Sun'aq
City
View of Kodiak from Pillar Mountain.  At center, from top to bottom: the Near Island Bridge, downtown and the small boat harbor.
View of Kodiak from Pillar Mountain. At center, from top to bottom: the Near Island Bridge, downtown and the small boat harbor.
Motto: "Alaska's Emerald Isle"
Location in Alaska
Location in Alaska
Coordinates: 57°47′35″N 152°23′39″W / 57.79306°N 152.39417°W / 57.79306; -152.39417Coordinates: 57°47′35″N 152°23′39″W / 57.79306°N 152.39417°W / 57.79306; -152.39417
Country United States
State Alaska
Borough Kodiak Island
Incorporated September 11, 1940
Government
 • Mayor Patricia B. "Pat" Branson
 • State senator Gary Stevens (R)
 • State rep. Louise Stutes (R)
Area
 • Total 6.8 sq mi (12.10 km2)
 • Land 5.4 sq mi (9.5 km2)
 • Water 3.5 sq mi (4.5 km2)
Elevation 49 ft (15 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 6,130 Ranked 8th
 • Estimate (2014) 6,304
Time zone Alaska (AKST)
 • Summer (DST) AKDT (UTC-9)
ZIP code 99615, 99619, 99697
Area code 907
FIPS code 02-40950
GNIS feature ID 1404875
Website City Website

Kodiak (Alutiiq: Sun'aq; Russian: Кадьяк, tr. Kadʹyak) is one of seven communities and the main city on Kodiak Island, Kodiak Island Borough, in the U.S. state of Alaska. All commercial transportation between the entire island and the outside world goes through this city either via ferryboat or airline. The population was 6,130 as of the 2010 census. 2014 estimates put the population at 6,304.

Originally inhabited by Alutiiq natives for over 7,000 years, the city was settled in the 18th century by the subjects of the Russian crown and became the capital of Russian Alaska. Harvesting of the area's sea otter pelts led to the near extinction of the animal in the following century and led to wars with and enslavement of the natives for over 150 years.

After the Alaska Purchase by the United States in 1867, Kodiak became a commercial fishing center which continues to be the mainstay of its economy. A lesser economic influence includes tourism, mainly by those seeking outdoor adventure trips. Salmon, halibut, the unique Kodiak bear, elk, Sitka deer (black tail), and mountain goats attract hunting tourists as well as fishermen to the Kodiak Archipelago. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game maintains an office in the city and a website to help hunters and fishermen obtain the proper permits and learn about the laws specific to the Kodiak area.

The city has four public elementary schools, a middle and high school, as well as a branch of the University of Alaska. An antenna farm at the summit of Pillar Mountain above the city historically provided communication with the outside world before fiber optic cable was run. Transportation to and from the island is provided by ferry service on the Alaska Marine Highway as well as local commercial airlines.


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