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Encyclopedia > Adak, Alaska

Adak (IPA pronunciation: ['eɪdæk]), formerly Adak Station, is a city in Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 316. A State of Alaska demographer in 2004 estimates the population at 69. Other than Attu Station it is the westernmost town in the United States (see Extreme points of the United States), and the southernmost city in Alaska. Not to be confused with the NATO phonetic alphabet, which has also informally been called the “International Phonetic Alphabet”. For information on how to read IPA transcriptions of English words, see IPA chart for English. ... Aleutians West Census Area is a census area located in the U.S. state of Alaska. ... Official language(s) English Capital Juneau Largest city Anchorage Area  Ranked 1st  - Total 663,267 sq mi (1,717,855 km²)  - Width 808 miles (1,300 km)  - Length 1,479 miles (2,380 km)  - % water 13. ... Attu Station is a census-designated place and town located on Attu Island in the Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska. ... This is a list of the extreme points of the United States, the points that are farther north, south, east, or west than any other location in the country. ... Official language(s) English Capital Juneau Largest city Anchorage Area  Ranked 1st  - Total 663,267 sq mi (1,717,855 km²)  - Width 808 miles (1,300 km)  - Length 1,479 miles (2,380 km)  - % water 13. ...

Contents

Location and climate

Adak is located at 51.8725° North, -176.62861° West (Sec. 10, T096S, R195W, Seward Meridian).GR1 Adak is located in the Aleutian Islands Recording District, and the 3rd Judicial District. Adapted from Wikipedias AK borough maps by Seth Ilys. ... A recording district is a mechanism for administration of the public record within the U.S. state of Alaska. ...


According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 329.8 km² (127.3 mi²). 317 km² (122.4 mi²) of it is land and 12.8 km² (4.9 mi²) of it (3.87%) is water. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census) is a part of the United States Department of Commerce. ... A square metre (US spelling: square meter) is by definition the area enclosed by a square with sides each 1 metre long. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ...


Adak is located on Kuluk Bay on Adak Island in the Andreanof Islands group of the Aleutian Islands. It lies 1,300 miles southwest of Anchorage and 350 miles west of Dutch Harbor (Unalaska), near the Russian end of the arc that makes up this volcanic island chain. Flight time to Anchorage is four hours or longer depending on weather. Adak is the southern-most community in Alaska and on the same latitude as Vancouver Island in Canada. Adak Island is an island near the western extent of the Andreanof Islands group of the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. ... The Andreanof Islands are a group of islands in the Aleutian Islands in southwest Alaska between the Rat Islands group, to the west and the Fox Islands group, to the east, at about 52° North and 172°57 to 179°09 West. ... Aleutians seen from space The Aleutian Islands (possibly from Chukchi aliat, island) are a chain of more than 300 small volcanic islands forming an island arc in the Northern Pacific Ocean, occupying an area of 6,821 sq mi (17,666 km²) and extending about 1,200 mi (1,900... Unalaska is a town on Unalaska Island in the Aleutian Islands. ...


Adak lies in the maritime climate zone, characterized by persistently overcast skies, moderated temperatures, high winds, and frequent cyclonic storms. Winter squalls produce wind gusts in excess of 100 knots. During the summer, extensive fog forms over the Bering Sea and North Pacific. Average temperatures range from 20 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, but wind chill factors can be severe. Total precipitation is 64 inches annually, with an average accumulated snowfall of 100 inches, falling primarily on the upper reaches of the volcanoes. An oceanic climate (also called marine west coast climate and maritime climate) is the climate typically found along the west coasts at the middle latitudes of all the worlds continents, and in southeastern Australia; similar climates are also found at high elevations within the tropics. ... Satellite photo of the Bering Sea Bering Sea and the North Pacific Ocean Bearing Sea with Kamchatka Peninsula and Alaska The Bering (or Imarpik) Sea is a body of water north of, and separated from, the north Pacific Ocean by the Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Islands. ... For other meanings of pacific, see pacific (disambiguation). ...


History and culture

The Aleutian Islands were historically occupied by the Unanga more commonly known now as the Aleuts. The once heavily-populated island was eventually abandoned in the early 1800s as the Aleutian Island hunters followed the Russian fur trade eastward, and famine set in on the Andreanof Island group. However, they continued to actively hunt and fish around the island over the years, until World War II broke out. Adak Army installations allowed U.S. forces to mount a successful offensive against the Japanese-held islands of Kiska and Attu. After the war, Adak was developed as a naval air station, playing an important role during the Cold War as a submarine surveillance center. Large earthquakes rocked the island in 1957, 1964 and 1977. The Aleuts (self-denomination: Unangax, Unangan or Unanga) are the indigenous people of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, U.S.A. and Chukotka, Russia. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Map of Kiska Kiska is an island in the Rat Islands group of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska located at 52. ... Attu Island Attu is the westernmost and largest island in the Near Islands group of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, making it the westernmost point of land relative to Alaska and the United States. ... For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation). ...


At its peak, the station housed over 6,000 naval and Coast Guard personnel, and their families. In 1994, family housing and schools were closed after severe cutbacks related to national military base closures. The station officially closed on March 31, 1997, and currently houses civilians. The Aleut Corporation purchased Adak's facilities under a land transfer agreement, in March 2004 with the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Navy/Department of Defense. Properties are currently under lease through Adak Commercial Properties, LLC. About 30 families with children relocated to Adak in September 1998, most of them Aleut Corp. shareholders, and a school was reopened. Aleut Corp. is currently developing Adak as a commercial center via their subsidiary companies. The community incorporated as a second-class city in April 2001. March 31 is the 90th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (91st in leap years), with 275 days remaining. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Aleut Corporation, or TAC, is one of thirteen Alaska Native Regional Corporations created under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 (ANCSA) in settlement of aboriginal land claims. ... The United States Navy, also known as the USN or the U.S. Navy, is a branch of the United States armed forces responsible for conducting naval operations. ... The United States Department of Defense (DOD or DoD) is the federal department charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government relating directly to national security and the military. ...


Since World War II, the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard developed outstanding facilities and recreation opportunities at Adak. Adak had in its hayday a college, movie theater, roller skating rink, swimming pool, ski lodge, bowling alleys, skeet range, auto hobby shop, photo lab, and racquetball and tennis courts. A new $18-million hospital was built in 1990 just seven years prior to the closure of the station. By March 2003, just six years after the closure of the station, most of these facilities had closed. Resulting in the city of Adak turning into a virtual ghost town with its buildings showing little signs of wear or disuse as if the people left just the year before. In the years since, preventing trespassing and vandalism by curious visitors in the unoccupied facilities has been an ongoing struggle for the Aleut Corp. The Aleutian wind and weather quickly destroys any unheated buildings that are broken into.


Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 316 people, 159 households, and 61 families residing in the city. The population density was 1.0/km² (2.6/mi²). There were 884 housing units at an average density of 2.8/km² (7.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 49.68% White, 1.27% Black or African American, 35.13% Native American, 9.81% Asian, 1.90% Pacific Islander, and 2.22% from two or more races. 5.06% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 1870 US Census for New York City A census is the process of obtaining information about every member of a population (not necessarily a human population). ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ...


There were 159 households out of which 18.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 28.9% were married couples living together, 2.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 61.6% were non-families. 46.5% of all households were made up of individuals and none had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.99 and the average family size was 2.90. “Matrimony” redirects here. ...


In the city the population was spread out with 18.7% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 44.3% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 1.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 184.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 188.8 males.


The median income for a household in the city was $52,727, and the median income for a family was $53,889. Males had a median income of $46,429 versus $35,000 for females. The per capita income for the city was $31,747. About 3.3% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under the age of eighteen or sixty-five or over. The per capita income for a group of people may be defined as their total personal income, divided by the total population. ... Map of countries showing percentage of population who have an income below the national poverty line The poverty line is the level of income below which one cannot afford to purchase all the resources one requires to live. ...


During the 2000 U.S. Census, total housing units numbered 884, and vacant housing units numbered 725. Vacant housing units used only seasonally numbered 7. 200 residents were shown as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 7.55 percent, although 16.32 percent of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $52,727, per capita income was $31,747, and 4.66 percent of residents were living below the poverty level.


Utilities, schools and health care

Water is derived from Lake Bonnie Rose, Lake De Marie, and Nurses Creek, stored in any seven water tanks throughout the community, and piped to facilities and housing units. The wastewater treatment system discharges through a marine outfall line to Kuluk Bay. The permitted landfill, Roberts Landfill, is a Class 2 with balefill. Electricity is provided by City of Adak. There is one school located in the community, attended by 18 students. Local hospitals or health clinics include Adak Medical Clinic. Adak Medical Center is a qualified Emergency Care Center and Primary Health Care facility. The clinic is staffed by a physician's assistant and provides emergency care, family practice and referral services. Lab, pharmacy, and public health services are available. Adak is classified as an isolated town/sub-regional center, located in EMS Region 2H in the Aleutian/Pribilof Region. Emergency Services have coastal and airport access to Adak. Auxiliary health care is provided by Adak Volunteer Fire Department/EMS.


Facilities, economy and transportation

A land exchange between Aleut Corp., the U.S. Navy, and the Department of the Interior has transferred most of the naval facilities to the Aleut Corp in March of 2004. A portion of the island remains within the National Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The U.S Navy retains part of the north end of Adak Island (Parcel 4) and does annual sweeps of the Lake Andrew Seawall for unexploded ordnance. Their website www.adakupdate.com, lists the Institutional Controls in place for all of Adak as part of the land exchange or Interim Conveyance. The Navy provides the trail maps as part of the ordnance awareness information required to be shown to all Adak residents and visitors. Adak currently provides a fueling port and crew transfer facility for a combination of Seattle and Alaskan based fishing fleet — an airport, docks, housing facilities, restaurant, grocery, and ship supply store are available. Adak Fisheries, LLC., an employer of a large seasonal staff, processes Pacific cod, pollock, mackerel, halibut, snow and king crabs. Four residents hold commercial fishing permits, primarily for groundfish. However, commercial fishing vessels based out of Seattle and other parts of Alaska provide most of the work for the fish plant by regularly offloading their catch in Adak. The United States Department of the Interior (DOI) is a Cabinet department of the United States government that manages and conserves most federally owned land. ... The USFWS logo The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is a unit of the United States Department of the Interior that is dedicated to managing and preserving wildlife. ... Fishing is the activity of hunting for fish by hooking, trapping, or gathering animals not classifiable as insects which breathe in water or pass their lives in water. ...


Because of its naval aviation past, Adak has a surprisingly large and sophisticated airport for the Aleutian Islands, currently operated by the State of Alaska, Department of Transportation. Complete with an Instrument Landing System, Adak Airport has a control tower and two 200' wide asphalt paved runways just 19' above sea-level. One runway measures 7,790' long while the other runway measures 7,605'. This seems enormous when compared to the busier 3,900' runway in Dutch Harbor which literally stops at water on both ends and is one foot above sea-level. Alaska Airlines operates passenger and cargo jet service from Anchorage to Adak with a stopover usually in King Salmon on Sunday's and Thursdays. The number of additional flights are dependent on the demand of the fishing season. Other facilities in Adak include three deep water docks and fueling facilities. The city has requested funds to greatly expand the Sweeper Cove small boat harbor, including new breakwaters, a 315-foot dock and new moorage floats. Regarding land transportation, there are approximately 16 miles of paved and primitive roads on the island resulting in there being more vehicles in Adak than there are miles of roads to drive. Adak Airport (IATA: ADK, ICAO: PADK), formerly Adak Naval Air Station, is a public airport located west of Adak, on Adak Island in Alaska. ... Unalaska is a town on Unalaska Island in the Aleutian Islands. ... King Salmon is a census-designated place (CDP) in Bristol Bay Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. ...


Tourism

Aleutian Housing Authority operates both the rental housing and the Adak Island Inn (hotel) on Adak. The cabins once maintained within the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge have fallen into disrepair and are unsafe to occupy. The cabin at Three Arm Bay sits on an archaeological site that was transferred to the Aleut Corp. and is not available for use at present.


Land use permits are required for all non-residents on Aleut Corp. land and can be obtained from the Aleut Enterprise, LLC office in Anchorage or from the Harbormaster at the Port of Adak.


Camping is possible without a permit on Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge lands, but camping is generally not recommended due to the harsh climate. The wind on Adak is highly variable and often unpredictable. Gusts can exceed 100 knots or more (the record speed is unknown because the wind ripped the ananometer off of the tower). During the calmer summer months, sustained wind speeds average in the low double digits gusting to 50 knots or more.


Hunting and fishing are bountiful sports in Adak. Hunters particularly prize Adak caribou, the largest of which can exceed 700 pounds. There is no bag limit for cows, but in 2007, the Board of Game passed new regulations for bulls. If you want to get to the South end of the island where the majority of the caribou are there is currently only one licensed local boat charter service - Homeward Bound Charters. Anglers can find large to enormous halibut in the Kagalaska Straits. Hunters must possess an Alaska state hunting license and a harvest ticket for each animal taken. Non-residents of Alaska must also possess the appropriate big game tag. Anglers require a sport fishing license. All areas of the island with roads are owned by the Aleut Corporation, and a special permit is required for all non-residents accessing this private property. No ATVs are permitted within the wildlife refuge and the Aleut Corporation only allows ATVs on the roads and trails - not on the tundra.


Audubon enthusiasts generally do not consider Adak as exciting as Attu. That being said, the high winds are a blessing for birders; many vagrants from Asia and elsewhere can be spotted. Indigenous (but often rare) shore birds abound, and eagles are ubiquitous. Visitors not interested with scoring "First North America" sightings will find plenty of variety to enjoy.


Developed trails are limited and most are not maintained. It is possible to hike on the tundra, but visitors are advised both to prepare for frequent weather changes and never hike alone.


Education

Adak is served by the Aleutian Region Schools.


The Adak School serves grades K-12.


External links and references


  Results from FactBites:
 
Alaska - encyclopedia article about Alaska. (4676 words)
It is bordered by Yukon Territory and British Columbia, Canada to the east, the Gulf of Alaska and the Pacific Ocean to the south, the Bering Sea, Bering Strait, and Chukchi Sea to the west, and the Beaufort Sea and the Arctic Ocean to the north.
Alaska is the only state that is both in North America and not part of the 48 contiguous states; about 500 miles (800 kilometers) of Canadian territory separate Alaska from Washington.
As of 2003, the population of Alaska was 648,818.
  More results at FactBites »

 

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