Barrow : Alaska

Barrow is the northernmost city in Alaska, 340 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Point Barrow is the northernmost point of the United States. The community was named after Sir John Barrow, secretary of the British Admiralty..Barrow is probably the harshest polar location in Alaska with an estimated population of 4,500 people. Most of the residents in Barrow are Inupiat Eskimos.

Barrow is one of the world's largest Eskimo settlements where traditional culture and modern life are finely blended. North Slope oil discovery has brought wealth to the area, including modern influences such as snowmobiles. Most homes in the area are heated by natural gas from nearby gas fields as the sun never rises for 67 days in the winter. However, Barrow has all the modern facilities like electric, water and sewer systems, a public radio station and cable TV facilities. Temperatures range from -56 to 78 degrees F, with an average of 40 degrees F during summer. The sun does not set between May 10th and August 2nd each summer, and does not rise between Nov. 18th and January 24th each winter. The daily minimum temperature is below freezing 324 days of the year. Bowhead, gray, killer and beluga whales migrate near Barrow each summer. The sale of alcohol is banned in the community, although importation or possession is allowed.

The latitude of Barrow is 71.290N.

The longitude is -156.788W.

Elevation is -7 feet.

The estimated population, in 2003, was 4,421.