Météo La Glacier sitka

PARIS WEATHER

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Geography
Location	Alaska - Sitka - USA
Latitude	57.0501424
Longitude	-135.3335396
Altitude	10 meters
View direction

Information
Owner	EarthCam
Camera	AXIS
Visitors	990 005 visits

Specifications
Format	1K 2 Million Pixels
Category	Sea, City

Informations

Alaska, the largest state in the United States, is a land of wild and awe-inspiring beauty, stretching over 1.7 million square kilometers—nearly three times the size of France. Located at the northwestern tip of the North American continent, this state is separated from the rest of the U.S. by Canada. It is bordered to the west by the Bering Sea and the Chukchi Sea, to the north by the Arctic Ocean, and to the south by the Pacific Ocean.

Alaska is a region where nature reigns supreme—a vast expanse of mountains, forests, glaciers, lakes, and jagged coastlines. It is home to majestic mountain ranges such as the Alaska Range, which peaks with Mount Denali (formerly Mount McKinley), the highest summit in North America at 6,190 meters (20,310 feet). This imposing peak stands as a symbol of Alaska's untamed natural grandeur.

The state boasts a stunning variety of landscapes: endless boreal forests, arctic tundra, dramatic fjords, millennia-old glaciers, and more than three million lakes. Alaska's coastline is among the longest and most varied in the world, stretching over 50,000 kilometers. These vast, unspoiled territories provide a unique habitat for exceptional wildlife, including brown bears, grizzlies, moose, wolves, whales, and bald eagles.

Alaska’s climate varies greatly by region. The southeast, around Juneau and the Alexander Archipelago, enjoys a more maritime climate, with mild, wet winters. In contrast, the interior has a subarctic climate, where winter temperatures can drop to -40°C, while summers are short but intense. Northern Alaska, beyond the Arctic Circle, experiences a polar climate with prolonged darkness in winter and very short summers.

Alaska is sparsely populated, with around 730,000 residents, many of whom live in major cities like Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau (the capital). The state is also a crossroads of Indigenous cultures. The Inuit (or Yupik), Aleut, and Athabaskan peoples have lived in Alaska for thousands of years, preserving traditions and ways of life deeply connected to the land and natural elements.

Alaska’s economy relies heavily on its natural resources: oil and natural gas play a crucial role, particularly through the Trans-Alaska Pipeline that connects Prudhoe Bay to Valdez. Fishing—especially for salmon, king crab, and halibut—is also vital, along with mining and logging industries. More recently, ecotourism has become increasingly important, drawing millions of visitors each year to admire the state’s extraordinary landscapes and wildlife.

Alaska’s national parks are among the largest and most spectacular in the world. Denali National Park, with its towering peaks and diverse wildlife, is legendary among hikers and photographers. Wrangell–St. Elias National Park—the largest in the United States—covers nearly 33,000 square kilometers of glaciers, mountains, and untouched wilderness. Glacier Bay National Park, with its majestic glaciers and turquoise waters, is another natural marvel.

Alaska’s history is deeply marked by its pivotal role in the gold rush and remains closely tied to its past as a rugged frontier. The journeys of trappers and pioneers, Arctic exploration, and the conquest of remote territories have shaped the state’s identity. Historical sites such as Fort Laramie, Independence Rock, and Devils Tower stand as reminders of this era of transformation and adventure.

Alaskan culture is a fusion of Indigenous traditions and modern influences. The state is known for its traditional music festivals, rodeo events, and dog sledding competitions that energize locals and visitors alike. Music and art in Alaska often draw inspiration from the wild landscapes, with many local artists using natural materials to craft works that reflect the state’s majestic scenery.

Despite its isolation and at times extreme living conditions, Alaska attracts those seeking unparalleled freedom, far from urban centers and modern chaos. Its vast wilderness, clear skies perfect for stargazing, and spectacular northern lights offer a unique chance to reconnect with nature.

Alaska is a wild, rugged land of timeless beauty. It is a destination where explorers come to rejuvenate, to return to their roots, and to embrace a way of life grounded in resilience, simplicity, and deep respect for the natural world.

Crescent Bay

Crescent Bay, in Alaska, is a small, wild, and remote bay located on the southern coast of the state, in the Kenai Peninsula region, not far from Seward, nestled in spectacular landscapes shaped by glaciers, the sea, and the mountains.

Tucked within the majestic environment of Resurrection Bay, Crescent Bay embodies the essence of the Alaskan coastline: a semi-circular cove surrounded by steep, forested slopes, dark cliffs, and hanging glaciers in the background, cascading down toward deep, icy blue waters.

Accessible mainly by boat or seaplane from Seward, this isolated bay is often included in maritime excursions to the Kenai Fjords National Park, one of Alaska’s most iconic parks. Visitors come here to observe abundant marine wildlife in a pristine setting where the human presence feels almost nonexistent.

The waters of Crescent Bay are known for their ecological richness. Steller sea lions, sea otters, harbor seals, as well as humpback whales, fin whales, and occasionally orcas, can often be seen swimming freely just a few dozen meters from the shore.

The cliffs and forests surrounding the bay provide refuge for a wide variety of birdlife: tufted puffins, murres, fulmars, and majestic bald eagles soaring on thermal updrafts.

On the shoreline, it is not uncommon to spot black bears or grizzlies fishing for salmon during the annual spawning run, adding to the wild and untamed nature of the area.

Crescent Bay’s climate is typically subarctic coastal: cool in summer, very humid, with frequent maritime fog that gives the landscape an almost mystical atmosphere. Winters, though harsh, are not as cold as those inland, thanks to the moderating influence of the Pacific Ocean.

The bay’s deep waters, combined with the proximity of glaciers, occasionally allow for the observation of drifting icebergs, calved from upstream ice fields. This contrast between ice, water, dark rock, and lush forest creates a living painting, ever-changing throughout the day.

Crescent Bay has no permanent tourist infrastructure, which enhances its sense of inaccessibility and preservation. It is a place of absolute tranquility, favored by experienced kayakers, nature photographers, and lovers of Arctic solitude.

Those fortunate enough to land here experience a suspended moment, far from the modern world. Only the rustle of foliage, the calls of seabirds, and the gentle lapping of water disturb the silence in this pristine coastal sanctuary—a vivid portrait of deep, raw, and hauntingly beautiful Alaska.

Sitka

Presentation

Sitka, a jewel of the Alaskan archipelago, is nestled on the western coast of Baranof Island, in the heart of the Alexander Archipelago in the southeastern region of the state. Bordered by the deep waters of the Pacific Ocean and dominated by the steep peaks of the coastal range, Sitka offers a strikingly beautiful setting where sea, mountains, and rainforests intertwine in a grand and wild tableau.

Accessible primarily by boat or plane, Sitka is one of the most picturesque and historic towns in Alaska. It was the capital of Russian Alaska until 1867, the year the United States purchased the territory from Russia. On October 18th of that year, the official sovereignty transfer ceremony took place in Sitka, atop Castle Hill, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

This unique history is still visible today in the city’s architecture and cultural heritage. The green dome and Orthodox cross of St. Michael's Cathedral recall its Tsarist past, as does the Russian Bishop’s House—one of the few surviving Russian buildings in the United States. This blend of Russian, Tlingit, and American influences gives Sitka a strong and original identity.

The town stretches along the seashore, backed by dense coniferous forest where massive Sitka spruce, cedar, and western hemlock trees rise. Across from the town, the small islands of Sitka Sound are scattered across calm waters like a verdant constellation, forming a marine labyrinth ideal for boating, kayaking, and wildlife observation.

Sitka is renowned for its exceptional ecological richness. Nearby waters are home to humpback whales, sea otters, harbor seals, orcas, and a myriad of seabirds. It is also one of the best places in Alaska to spot bald eagles, which nest by the hundreds in the tall trees overlooking the coast.

Close by, Sitka National Historical Park—also known as Totem Park—invites visitors to stroll among carved Tlingit totems set in an old-growth coastal forest. The shoreline trail winds through moss-covered roots, ferns, and clear streams in an atmosphere that feels both mystical and solemn.

Sitka’s temperate oceanic climate, though often rainy and humid, softens winters and keeps summers cool, allowing for particularly lush vegetation. The constant moisture nurtures a temperate rainforest—dense, green, and teeming with life—that adds to the area’s almost magical character.

Sitka is also a vibrant cultural hub. Every year it hosts the Sitka Summer Music Festival, a nationally recognized classical music event. It also features a Tlingit cultural center—Sheet'ká Ḵwáan Naa Kahídi—where visitors can enjoy traditional dance performances and historical reenactments.

The town thrives in part on fishing—especially for salmon, halibut, and crab—and boasts a lively port with wooden docks, trawlers, fish markets, and small restaurants serving delicious local seafood-based cuisine.

For hiking enthusiasts, the Mount Verstovia Trail and Harbor Mountain Trail offer spectacular views over the bay, surrounding peaks, islands, and, on clear days, the vast open ocean. The effort of the climb is always rewarded with majestic silence and Alaska’s raw, breathtaking beauty.

Sitka is much more than a tourist destination—it’s a full immersion into a world where human history, the spirituality of Indigenous peoples, majestic landscapes, and the power of nature blend into rare harmony. At once peaceful and vibrant, ancient and alive, oceanic and mountainous, Sitka truly embodies the very essence of Alaska.