Barrow, Alaska
1972 - The North Slope Borough was cultivated, and the Arctic Slope Regional Corp. was formed.
1973 - The Barrow Observatory was established.
1982 - The Will Rogers and Wiley Post Monument, which is located across from the Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport, was dedicated to commemorate the 1935 plan crash that killed them both.
2002 - April 19th - Plans by President George W Bush to allow drilling for oil in parts of Alaska have been rejected by the US Senate.
- November 4th - The largest earthquake anywhere in the world this year struck central Alaska.
ENVIRONMENT
Precipitation The climate of Barrow is arctic - precipitation is light and averages 5 inches. It has an annual snowfall of 20 inches.
Temperature
The temperature ranges from - 56 to 78, with an average of 40 in the summer. The daily minimum temp is below freezing for 324 days of the year. Winds are easterly and the average is 12 miles per hour. The Chukchi Sea is usually free of ice from mid-June through to October.
Sunlight
The sun rises for a total of 82 days and does not set between May 10th - August 2nd. There are 51 days in which the sun does not rise at all - November 18th to January 24th. If free from fog or mist, this is a good time for viewing the Northern Lights.
The Northern Lights
Although the aurora borealis is always present, most people rarely see it as it doesn't stretch far enough south. It is most often seen in Barrow between 10 PM and 2 AM during the winter. If there is a bright display early in the evening, there's a good chance you'll see another a few hours later.
Economy, Industry & Produce
The oil industry is the city's primary employer, as well as businesses that provide support services. There is also employment in the State and Federal Agencies. Whale hunting includes the Bowhead, Gray, Killer and Beluga. Fishing is tightly controled - only 7 residents actually hold fishing licences. The Midnight Sun attracts tourism and the arts and crafts provide some income.
Facilities - Water, Electricity, Gas
Homes are heated with natural gas from nearby gas fields. There is electric, water and sewer systems and a public radio station, telephone and cable TV.
Health Care & Safety
Clinic/Hospitals in the community are Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital. There is a Volunteer Fire Dept., EMS/Search & Rescue/Medevac with flights to Fairbanks Health Centre.
Animals
Barrow has one
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