Slana, Alaska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Slana
Stl’ana’
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Location of Slana, Alaska
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Census Area | Copper River |
| Area | |
| • Total | 253.67 sq mi (657.00 km2) |
| • Land | 252.81 sq mi (654.76 km2) |
| • Water | 0.86 sq mi (2.24 km2) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 116 |
| • Density | 0.46/sq mi (0.18/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-9 (Alaska (AKST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-8 (AKDT) |
| Area code(s) | 907 |
| FIPS code | 02-70930 |
Slana (pronounced "SLAH-nuh") is a small community in Alaska, United States. It's known as a census-designated place (CDP), which means it's a special area defined by the government for counting people. Slana is located in the Copper River Census Area.
In 2020, about 116 people lived in Slana. This number was a bit lower than in 2010, when 147 people lived there.
Contents
Discovering Slana's Past
Slana gets its name from the nearby Slana River. It's an old Alaska Native village name.
Mining History in Slana
A big part of Slana's history involves the Nabesna Mine. This mine opened in 1923. At its busiest time, it employed 60 people. Workers at the mine dug up over thirty different types of minerals. Gold was the most important and profitable mineral found there. The mine operated on and off until the late 1940s.
How Slana Grew
Slana grew quickly in the 1980s. This happened because the government offered homesteads for people to settle there. A homestead allowed people to claim land if they lived on it and improved it.
The community also grew around the Slana Roadhouse. This historic building is so important that it's listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Geography and Climate of Slana
Slana is located in a beautiful part of Alaska. It stretches along the Nabesna Road. This road runs south from the Tok Cut-Off, which is a main highway.
Where is Slana Located?
Slana sits where the Slana River and Copper River meet. It's about 85 kilometers (53 miles) southwest of a town called Tok.
Understanding Slana's Climate
Slana has a continental subarctic climate. This means it has very long and cold winters. Summers in Slana are much warmer, but still mild. The temperature can change a lot, from as cold as -57°F (-49°C) to as warm as 93°F (34°C).
On average, Slana gets about 55.4 inches (141 cm) of snow each year. The total amount of rain and snow (precipitation) is about 15.35 inches (39 cm) per year.
| Climate data for Slana | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 48 (9) |
47 (8) |
54 (12) |
70 (21) |
86 (30) |
93 (34) |
90 (32) |
89 (32) |
82 (28) |
66 (19) |
48 (9) |
54 (12) |
93 (34) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 5 (−15) |
17.1 (−8.3) |
27.3 (−2.6) |
42.3 (5.7) |
56.1 (13.4) |
67.1 (19.5) |
68.5 (20.3) |
64.5 (18.1) |
53.1 (11.7) |
35 (2) |
15.4 (−9.2) |
8.3 (−13.2) |
38.3 (3.5) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | −11.7 (−24.3) |
−4.4 (−20.2) |
1.8 (−16.8) |
17.5 (−8.1) |
30.7 (−0.7) |
40.5 (4.7) |
44.3 (6.8) |
39.6 (4.2) |
30.5 (−0.8) |
16.1 (−8.8) |
−1.8 (−18.8) |
−9 (−23) |
16.2 (−8.8) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −57 (−49) |
−47 (−44) |
−36 (−38) |
−24 (−31) |
0 (−18) |
23 (−5) |
30 (−1) |
20 (−7) |
−1 (−18) |
−33 (−36) |
−47 (−44) |
−51 (−46) |
−57 (−49) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.65 (17) |
0.77 (20) |
0.61 (15) |
0.43 (11) |
1.08 (27) |
1.96 (50) |
2.75 (70) |
2.22 (56) |
2.16 (55) |
1.05 (27) |
0.86 (22) |
0.82 (21) |
15.35 (390) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 6.8 (17) |
6.9 (18) |
5.5 (14) |
3.9 (9.9) |
2 (5.1) |
0.1 (0.25) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
3.2 (8.1) |
9.1 (23) |
9.1 (23) |
8.8 (22) |
55.4 (141) |
| Average precipitation days | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 64 |
The United States Census Bureau says that Slana covers about 253.8 square miles (657 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
People of Slana: Demographics
Slana first appeared on the U.S. Census in 1980.
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1980 | 49 | — | |
| 1990 | 63 | 28.6% | |
| 2000 | 124 | 96.8% | |
| 2010 | 147 | 18.5% | |
| 2020 | 116 | −21.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 124 people living in Slana. Most of the people were White (80.7%), and 13.7% were Native American.
The average age of people in Slana in 2000 was 46 years old. About 20% of the population was under 18 years old.
Economy and Getting Around in Slana
Slana has a few businesses that help the community.
Local Businesses and Jobs
A lodge along the road offers groceries, gas, and even a mechanic for cars. It also has parking for RVs. Other businesses in Slana include a general store and an art gallery. You can also find places that rent canoes, offer bed and breakfast stays, and sell snowmachines or solar panels.
A Park Ranger Station is located nearby, and there's also a state highway maintenance camp. Many people in Slana also rely on subsistence activities like hunting and fishing to help with their income.
How People Travel in Slana
Slana is connected to Alaska's main road system. You can reach it using the Glenn Highway and Richardson Highway. However, some private properties in Slana don't have roads. Owners of these lots might need to walk across other people's land to get to their homes.
The closest public airport is in Chistochina, which is south of Slana. There's also a private gravel airstrip at Duffy's Tavern.
Parks and Recreation in Slana
Slana is a great place for outdoor activities.
Exploring Wrangell–St. Elias National Park
The Nabesna Road, which runs through Slana, leads into the heart of the Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve. This park is a huge and important natural area. It's even recognized as a World Heritage Site!
Porcupine Creek State Recreation Site
Close to Slana, you'll find the Porcupine Creek State Recreation Site. This park covers about 240 acres (97 hectares). It's a great spot for camping and fishing. The park is covered in thick forests, making it a beautiful place to explore nature.
See also
In Spanish: Slana (Alaska) para niños
