Fun Facts About Juneau
Juneau is the capital city of Alaska, which has a population of about 32,000 people. The city of Juneau has a magnificent abundance of culture, art, and history, which includes:
- 5 theater companies,
- 3 music festivals,
- 2 opera companies,
- 1 ballet company,
- 1 symphony,
- 1 student symphony,
- 1 student theater,
- 1 children’s choir,
- 75+ published authors,
- 2 independent bookstores and 3 used bookstores,
- 11 docks and harbors sites,
- The Alaska State Museum,
- The Juneau Douglas City Museum,
- Last Chance Mining Museum,
- Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska,
- four branches of the Juneau Public Libraries,
- University of Alaska Southeast, and
- many chamber ensembles and bands, dance groups, artists, and choirs & musicians.
Other Facts:
- Juneau is 3,255 square miles total, including 928 square miles of ice cap and 704 square miles of water. Juneau is the largest capital city in the United States by land area.
- The economy in Juneau is based on state, local, and federal government, tourism, mining, and fishing. During an average summer, over 900,000 visitors experience Juneau’s spectacular beauty.
- Juneau is only 45 miles from end to end, but has over 130 miles of hiking trails.
- Tlingit Alaskan Native people lived and fished along the Gastineau Channel near Juneau for thousands of years before Europeans explored Alaska.
- The first settlement that would one day become Juneau began in 1880.
- Juneau’s backyard is a 1,500 mile glacial ice field bordering Canada.
- Juneau has over 280 species of birds, all five species of salmon, brown and black bears, and three species of whales.
- Juneau is located on a narrow strip of land between sea level and 3800 feet peaks.
- Juneau is Alaska’s 3rd largest city by population: Anchorage is first at around 300,000 (half the state?s population), Fairbanks is second.
- Juneau’s longest day is June 21: the sun rises at 3:51 am and sets at 10:07 pm. The shortest day is December 21: the sun rises at 8:44 am and sets at 3:07 pm.
- Aurora Borealis can be seen on clear evenings from August through April, usually above Mt. Juneau or over the Mendenhall Glacier.
- Egan Drive was opened in 1975.
- Juneau consists of around 190 miles of city and state maintained roads, not including Douglas Island roads.
- The Douglas Bridge, the only land access to the island, opened initially in the 30s and was replaced in 1981.
- “Taku Winds” occasionally blow over 100 miles per hour infrequently in the winter.