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Place Name
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Sitka
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Pronunciation
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SIT-kuh
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Place Status (Type)
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city
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Population
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8,588 (1990)
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Location
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Alaska, United States, North America
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Latitude
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57°05'N
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Longitude
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135°14'W
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Sitka
(SIT-kuh), city (1990 pop. 8,588), Sitka census div., SE
Alaska, in the Alexander Archipelago, on Baranof Isl.; 57°05'N
135°14'W. Tourism; fishing (salmon, halibut, red snapper, crab,
herring, abalone, and clams). There are also canneries. Old Sitka, now
at Old Harbor ferry landing, was founded (1799) by Aleksandr Baranov.
Destroyed by Tlingits in 1802, the Rus. port was rebuilt at its present
site and became the flourishing capital of Rus. Amer. Here, in 1867,
the U.S. officially took possession of Alaska from Russia,
and Sitka remained the capital until 1900. Points of interest include
Sitka Natl. Historical Park, scene of a decisive battle (1804) bet. the
Russians and the Tlinglits; the Rus. Orthodox Cathedral of St. Michael
(1844-1848); Sheldon Jackson Mus.; and Castle Hill, site of the
transfer of Alaska to the U.S., which is commemorated by the annual
Alaska Day Festival in Oct. Sitka Natl. Cemetery (1924); state logging
championships are also held here. The city has Sheldon Jackson Col.
(Presbyterian) and a Univ. of Alaska campus; Alaska Police Acad. Mt.
Edgecumbe (3,201 ft/976 m), on an isl. to the
W, can be seen from Sitka's harbor. Bridge to Japonsky isl. and
airport. Inc. 1971.
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