Fairbanks North Star Borough is a borough located in the northernmost region of Alaska. The borough encompasses an area of approximately 7,400 square miles and is home to more than 100,000 people. The borough is bordered by the Yukon River to the west, the Tanana River to the east, and Alaska Range Mountains to the south.
The geography of Fairbanks North Star Borough consists mainly of tundra and boreal forest with numerous rivers and lakes dotting the landscape. The largest river in the region is the Yukon River which flows through Fairbanks before eventually emptying into Canada’s Yukon Territory. Other major rivers in this region include Tanana River, Chena River, Chatanika River and Koyukuk River.
The climate of Fairbanks North Star Borough can be described as subarctic with long cold winters and short cool summers. The average winter temperature in Fairbanks ranges from -20°F to -30°F while during summer months temperatures range from 40°F to 60°F. Summers are typically dry with very little precipitation while winters are usually wetter with snow being a common occurrence throughout the season.
The topography of Fairbanks North Star Borough is largely flat with some rolling hills scattered throughout its landscape. Its highest point is Mount Hayes which stands at 4,000 feet above sea level while its lowest point is located along the Yukon River at 250 feet above sea level. The land here consists mostly of tundra interspersed with boreal forest and wetlands making it a great place for wildlife viewing opportunities such as caribou herds or moose sightings near one of its many lakes or rivers.
Overall, Fairbanks North Star Borough offers a unique blend of geography that combines flat tundra lands interspersed with boreal forests and wetlands along with long cold winters and short cool summers making it an ideal place for outdoor activities such as fishing or hunting during certain seasons or simply enjoying nature’s beauty year-round.
Country seat and other main cities of Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska
The Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska is the country seat for the state of Alaska and is located in Interior Alaska. The borough encompasses an area of approximately 7,400 square miles and is home to more than 100,000 people. The borough is bordered by the Yukon River to the west, the Tanana River to the east, and Alaska Range Mountains to the south.
The county seat of Fairbanks North Star Borough is located in Fairbanks, which is also its largest city and serves as one of two urban centers within the borough. Fairbanks has a population of approximately 32,000 people and it’s known for its vibrant culture that includes art galleries, museums, performing arts centers as well as various outdoor activities such as skiing and snowmobiling. According to COUNTRYAAH, other major cities within Fairbanks North Star Borough include North Pole (population 2,200), Nenana (population 1,100), Fort Wainwright (population 8500) and Salcha (population 800).
North Pole is a small city located just 10 miles southeast of Fairbanks along US Route 2 and is known for its Christmas themed decorations that adorn its streets year-round giving it its “North Pole” moniker. The city also serves as home to Santa Claus House which has been operating since 1952 selling various Christmas themed items such as ornaments and toys. Nenana on the other hand is located along Parks Highway about 70 miles southwest of Fairbanks and serves mainly as a transportation hub due to its proximity to both Denali National Park & Preserve as well as Chena Hot Springs Resort.
Fort Wainwright lies about 15 miles east of downtown Fairbanks along Richardson Highway while Salcha lies roughly 40 miles south from downtown Fairbanks along Richardson Highway making them both convenient weekend getaway destinations from their respective cities. Both locations are known for their outdoor activities such as fishing or hunting during certain seasons or simply enjoying nature’s beauty year-round with Salcha being renowned for being one of Alaska’s best bird-watching destinations due to its large variety of waterfowl species that can be found there during migration season.
In conclusion, Fairbanks North Star Borough offers a unique blend of geography consisting mainly of tundra interspersed with boreal forest and wetlands along with long cold winters and short cool summers making it an ideal place for outdoor activities such as fishing or hunting during certain seasons or simply enjoying nature’s beauty year-round. Additionally, it has two urban centers in addition to several smaller cities within its boundaries each offering their own unique attractions for visitors looking for something different while visiting this beautiful region in Alaska.
History of Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska
Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska is a borough located in the Interior region of the state. It is one of the largest boroughs in Alaska, encompassing over 25,000 square miles and stretching from the Canadian border to the Alaska Range. The borough was established in 1945 when Fairbanks City and North Star Borough merged into what is now known as Fairbanks North Star Borough. The history of this area goes back much further than 1945 though.
The first humans to inhabit this area were Native Alaskans such as the Koyukon Athabascans who lived there for thousands of years before settlers began arriving in the late 19th century. The first recorded European settler was Italian prospector Felix Pedro who arrived in 1901 and discovered gold near an area now known as Ester Creek which prompted a flurry of gold prospectors and miners looking to strike it rich.
The discovery of gold quickly brought wealth to the region and helped spur on development with Fairbanks becoming one of Alaska’s most important cities by 1915 with its population reaching 10,000 people by 1920 due to its booming mining industry. During this period other towns such as Nenana and Salcha also developed due to their proximity to Fairbanks.
The Great Depression hit hard in this region but it was able to recover thanks largely to World War II where many military personnel were stationed at Fort Wainwright or Eielson Air Force Base which provided jobs for many locals during that time period. After World War II ended, Fort Wainwright remained open while Eielson Air Force Base became an important part of Cold War defense strategy until it closed down in 1993 when most military personnel left the area leaving behind a legacy of infrastructure that still benefits locals today.
The economy has since shifted away from mining towards tourism with both Chena Hot Springs Resort and Denali National Park & Preserve being popular tourist destinations today while other areas like North Pole have become known for its Christmas themed attractions such as Santa Claus House which opened up 1952 selling various Christmas themed items such as ornaments and toys year-round giving it its “North Pole” moniker.
In conclusion, Fairbanks North Star Borough has a long and rich history dating back thousands of years beginning with Native Alaskan inhabitants followed by a flurry of gold prospectors during the late 19th century followed by an economic shift towards tourism after World War II due to its infrastructure left behind by military personnel stationed at Fort Wainwright or Eielson Air Force Base making it one of Alaska’s most important cities today with many attractions drawing visitors from all over the world year round.
Economy of Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska
Fairbanks North Star Borough, located in Interior Alaska, is a thriving community with a diverse economy. The area has been inhabited by indigenous people for thousands of years and in the late 19th century saw a flurry of gold prospectors and miners looking to strike it rich. This influx of wealth helped spur on development with Fairbanks quickly becoming one of Alaska’s most important cities by 1915.
The economy of the Fairbanks North Star Borough is largely based on natural resources such as mining, timber, and fishing. Mining is still an important part of the economy as gold continues to be mined in the area. In addition to gold, other minerals such as coal, copper, zinc, lead, molybdenum, and silver are also mined in the region. The timber industry also plays an important role in the local economy with many sawmills located throughout the borough creating jobs for local residents. Finally, fishing is also an important sector with salmon and whitefish being harvested from local rivers and streams.
In addition to natural resources, tourism has become increasingly important for Fairbanks North Star Borough’s economy. Tourists come from all over the world to take advantage of some of the most beautiful natural scenery Alaska has to offer at places like Chena Hot Springs Resort and Denali National Park & Preserve. North Pole has become known for its Christmas themed attractions such as Santa Claus House which opened up 1952 selling various Christmas themed items such as ornaments and toys year-round giving it its “North Pole” moniker.
The military also plays an important role in Fairbanks’ economy with Fort Wainwright providing jobs for many locals during World War II and after while Eielson Air Force Base was an important part of Cold War defense strategy until it closed down in 1993 when most military personnel left the area leaving behind a legacy of infrastructure that still benefits locals today.
The government sector is also a major employer in Fairbanks with both state and federal government agencies having offices located throughout the borough providing jobs ranging from administrative positions to scientific research positions at institutions like University Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). UAF offers degrees ranging from engineering to anthropology making it one of Alaska’s premier universities drawing students from all over the world each year.
In conclusion, Fairbanks North Star Borough has a vibrant economy that is based largely on natural resources such as mining timber and fishing but also includes tourism attractions like Chena Hot Springs Resort Denali National Park & Preserve Santa Claus House government agencies like UAF military installations like Fort Wainwright or Eielson Air Force Base making it one of Alaska’s most prosperous regions today drawing visitors from all over the world year round while providing jobs for many locals who call this beautiful region home.