Location
Sitka is located on the outer coast of Baranof Island in Southeast Alaska, facing the Pacific Ocean. The City and Borough of Sitka encompasses 4,811.5 square miles (2,874.0 sq. miles of land and 1,937.5 sq. miles of water), making it the largest incorporated area in the United States. The city is on the edge of the great circle trade route to Japan, Korea, China, and Southeast Asia. Residential and commercial property development extends along approximately fourteen miles of coastal highway. The community is set against a backdrop of rugged mountains and faces an island-studded view of the Pacific Ocean. The central geographic feature is Mt. Edgecumbe, a 3,200’ dormant volcano that dominates the southern end of Kruzof Island on the other side of Sitka Sound.
Sitka was the capital of Russian America from 1799 until 1867 when Alaska was transferred from Russia to the United States. Long before the settling of San Francisco, Sitka became the leading economic center of the northern hemisphere with the first boatyard, lighthouse, sawmill, iron, brass and bronze foundries, and flour mill. The area has scenic beauty possessed by few world communities.
| Latitude | 57° 10' N |
| Longitude | 135° 15' W |
| Distance in air miles from nearby metropolitan cities: | |
| Juneau, Alaska | 95 (30 mins. flight time) |
| Seattle, Washington | 862 (2.8 hrs. flight time) |
| Anchorage, Alaska | 592 (2.8 hrs. flight time) |
