Juneau

Juneau is the State Capital of Alaska, located on the Gastineau Channel in Alaska's Panhandle. Juneau experiences a mild, wet climate. Mount Juneau and Mount Roberts overlook the city and the terminus of Mendenhall Glacier is nearby. The community of Douglas is connected by a bridge.

In 1880, Joseph Juneau and Richard Harris discovered gold here, which spurred development of a gold-mining town. Juneau was designated the capital of the Alaska Territory in 1900, but it was not moved here from Sitka until 1906. Most gold mining ended in the 1940s. When Alaska entered the Union in 1959, Juneau continued as the state capital.

Today Juneau, population 30,711, relies on state government, commercial fishing and tourism as its economic base. Of interest are the Last Chance Mining Museum and the Alaska State Museum.

The Alaska Marine Highway serves Juneau from its terminal in Auke Bay. Juneau also is served by major airlines and floatplane companies. The University Of Alaska Southeast is also here.