Aleutians East Borough, Alaska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aleutians East Borough
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Aghileen Pinnacles Mountains in Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.
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Location within the U.S. state of Alaska
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.svg) Alaska's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  Alaska |
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| Incorporated | October 23, 1987 | |
| Named for | Aleutian Islands | |
| Seat | Sand Point | |
| Largest city | Akutan | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 15,010 sq mi (38,900 km2) | |
| • Land | 6,982 sq mi (18,080 km2) | |
| • Water | 8,028 sq mi (20,790 km2) 53.5%% | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3.398 | |
| • Density | 0.4866/sq mi (0.1879/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−9 (Alaska) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−8 (ADT) | |
| Congressional district | At-large | |
Aleutians East Borough is a special kind of county, called a borough, in the state of Alaska. In 2020, about 3,420 people lived here. The main town, or borough seat, where the government offices are, is Sand Point.
Contents
History
People have lived in the Aleutians East area for a very long time. Archeologists have found proof that the Aleuts were here since the last ice age.
Later, in the early 1900s, Russian fur traders came looking for sea otters. Then, fishing and canning factories brought many fishermen from Europe.
During World War II, this area was very important for the Aleutian Campaign. Many local people had to move away to Ketchikan for safety.
Geography
The Aleutians East Borough is a large area. It covers about 15,010 square miles in total. A big part of this area, about 8,028 square miles, is water. The land area is about 6,982 square miles.
This borough is located in the western part of the Alaska Peninsula. It also includes some of the Aleutian Islands, which is where the borough gets its name. Other islands like the Shumagin Islands, Pavlof Islands, and Sanak Islands are also part of it.
The weather here can range from very cold to warm. Temperatures can go from -9 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit. The area gets about 33 inches of rain and 52 inches of snow each year.
Protected Areas
The borough has several important natural areas. These are protected to keep the wildlife and nature safe.
- Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge (parts of it)
- Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge (part of it)
- Izembek National Wildlife Refuge
Neighboring Areas
The Aleutians East Borough shares borders with other areas:
- To the east is Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska.
- To the west is Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska.
Population
The number of people living in Aleutians East Borough has changed over the years:
- 1990: 2,464 people
- 2000: 2,697 people
- 2010: 3,141 people
- 2020: 3,420 people
In 2020, there were 3,420 people living in the borough. The population is very diverse, meaning people from many different backgrounds live here. Many people are of Asian, White, or American Indian/Alaska Native heritage.
The average household had about 2.61 people. Most homes had a computer and an internet connection. Many adults had a high school diploma or higher education.
Economy
The economy in Aleutians East Borough relies mostly on money. Commercial fishing and fish processing are the biggest jobs. These activities happen almost all year.
Many people who live in the borough have permits to fish for a living. Sand Point has the largest fishing fleet in the Aleutian Chain. Factories in places like Port Moller, King Cove, Sand Point, Akutan, and False Pass process fish like salmon and Pacific cod. The Peter Pan cannery in King Cove is one of the biggest fish processing plants in Alaska.
Other jobs, like transportation and services, also provide work throughout the year.
Transportation
Getting around the Aleutians East Borough can be done in several ways. There are airports where planes can land. Also, float planes can land on the water in many communities.
Large cargo ships bring goods to the area. The State Ferry also runs during the summer, helping people travel. Since there are no roads connecting the communities, people often use fishing boats or small boats called skiffs to get around locally.
Communities
Cities
- Akutan
- Cold Bay
- False Pass
- King Cove
- Sand Point (This is the main town, or Borough Seat)
Census-designated place
Other places
See also
In Spanish: Borough de Aleutianas Orientales para niños
