The Coffee House
  • Community Intro
  • Staff Intro
  • Rules
  • Search
  • Members
  • Misc
    • View New Posts
    • View Today's Posts
    • Calendar
    • Awards
    • Old TCH
Login or Register Hello There, Guest! Please Login or Register to gain Full Access!
Login
Username/Email:
Password:
Lost Password?
 

  1. The Coffee House
  2. Topical discussions
  3. History and Civilizations
  4. The USA's northernmost town
Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Threaded Mode
The USA's northernmost town
Utqiagvik (a.k.a. Barrow), Alaska
Kyng
Thomas the Twonk Engine
Owner
Posts: 205,973
Threads: 15,921
Joined: May 2018
Reputation: 87
Original Join Date: 3rd December 2009
Real Name: Christopher

Coffee Credits: 346,019CC
#1
01-13-2019, 02:21 AM
Alaska https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utqiagvik,_Alaska Alaska 

A couple of days ago, I noticed a video about the northernmost town in the United States of America. This is the town of Utqiagvik, in Alaska, which is home to an estimated 4,335 people. Previously, this town was known as Barrow; however, following a 2016 referendum among the residents, it officially reverted to the name used in the local Iñupiaq language. 

So, here's the Wendover Productions video, made by a guy who visited the town to see what it's like: 



Here's a summary: 
 
  • 4,335 people may not sound like a lot, but it's very large for a town as far north as this. In fact, it contains about 50% of the entire population of northern Alaska;
  • For 65 days in the summer, the Sun never sets - and for 65 days in the winter, it never rises;
  • There are no roads connecting the town to the outside world. When the sea is iced up (as it is for much of the year), the only way in or out is by plane (although, fortunately, the planes are very frequent!);
  • Because of the cost of transport, lots of items are very expensive - particularly those that need refrigerating (e.g. $17 for a frozen pizza);
  • So, why does anybody live there? Around 60% of the population come from the local Iñupiat tribe, who have lived there for over 1,500 years. The other 40% are mostly there to work in the petroleum industry (and they make a lot of money, even if much of it is eaten up by the insane cost of living!) 

Utqiagvik presents an interesting contrast: it feels very isolated and disconnected from its own state capital, let alone Washington DC (it's actually closer to Moscow and Tokyo than it is to the US capital) - and yet, it's still as much a part of America as New York City or Los Angeles is. 

I can't say I'd like to live there myself - but I admire those who do, because it must present all kinds of immense challenges!
[Image: Train_lover_userbar.png]

Board Information and Policies
Affiliation | Coffee Credits | Ranks and Awards | Name Changes
Account Deletion | BBCode Reference


Moonface (in 'Woman runs 49 red lights in ex's car')' Wrote: If only she had ran another 20 lights. :hehe:

(Thanks to Tiger Eyes for the avatar, and Detective Osprey for the sig!)
Quote
My Awards
x1 x1 x2 x2 x5 x3 x1 x3 x7
My Items
[-] The following 1 user Likes Kyng's post:1 user Likes Kyng's post
  • Detective Osprey
Website
Quote
Options

« Next Oldest | Next Newest »



  • View a Printable Version
Forum Jump:


Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)

About Our Community

Discuss about various topics in our community and have fun while doing so. Welcome to The Coffee House

Quick Links



Reach Us

Contact Us  Meet Our team

Powered By MyBB. Crafted by EREE and Android BG. Based on Purple Origin by Detective Osprey. Character and item imagery copyright Nintendo. View our Privacy Policy.
Smilies provided for free by Mazeguy Smilies and JoyPixels
Linear Mode
Threaded Mode