Interesting Facts

Though Juneau is the capital of Alaska, this little city of 30,000 residents is only the state's third largest, following Anchorage and Fairbanks.
The Tongass National Forest, located on the outskirts of Juneau, is the largest national forest in the United States. This area covers 85 percent of Southeast Alaska and is the largest temperate rainforest in North America.
Juneau is the nation's only capital city not accessible by road�you must arrive by boat or airplane. Not surprisingly, Alaska has the highest number of pilots per capita in the United States. One out of every 58 Alaska residents is a licensed pilot.
Juneau is named for Joseph Juneau, whose 1880 discovery of gold sparked the Gold Rush era.
By area, Juneau is the largest city in the United States. More than 3,000 square miles encompasses the town proper, the Gastineau Channel and the 1,500-square mile Juneau Ice field.
The Auke and Taku are Native Alaskans from the Juneau area. Both of these groups are Tlingit Indians.
Juneau is sometimes called the "San Francisco of the North." This name was bestowed on the city because its location, tucked between Mount Roberts and Gastineau Channel, has resulted in steep and winding streets.
Juneau's St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church is the oldest original church in Southeast Alaska. The small octagonal building was constructed with money donated by Russia, and several of the church's front panels were painted in Russia. The parish was founded in 1893, and construction was finished on the church in 1894.
Juneau's longest day of the year is June 21, when the sun shines for 18 hours and 18 minutes. December 2 is the shortest day, with only 6 hours, 21 minutes of daylight.
Juneau, then known as Harrisburg, was founded in 1880. It has been the capital of Alaska since 1906.