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Barrow is
located on the coast of the Chukchi Sea,
10 miles south of Point Barrow from which
it takes its name. The name Barrow is
derived from Sir John Barrow,
2nd Secretary of the British Admiralty.
The area that includes the present
village of Barrow is traditionally known
as Ukpeagvik, 'place where snowy owls are
hunted' (Utqiagvik is an alternate
spelling). An arctic climate is present
in Barrow with an average precipitation
of 5 inches/year, including snowfall of
approximately 20 inches. Temperatures
range from -50 to 80 °F throughout the
year, with an average temperature of 40
°F in the summer. Barrow also
experiences 24 hour/day of day light
during the summer for approximately 3
months. Conversely, 3 months of darkness
occurs during the winter months. Barrow
is the largest city on the North Slope
with a population of 4,541 people, the
majority of which are Iñupiat Eskimos.
Traditional
marine mammal hunting and other
subsistence practices remain an important
aspect of local culture. Bowhead, gray,
killer, and beluga whales migrate near
Barrow in the spring and fall. The most
important subsistence activity is the
pursuit of bowhead whales. Barrow whalers
pursue the bowhead during the spring and
fall migrations. During the spring, the
passing whales are hunted at sea ice
openings called leads. During the fall,
whaling is a shore-based activity.
Generally, the spring whaling season
produces the majority of the whales
landed in Barrow each year. While the
actual hunting of bowheads occurs for
brief periods during the spring and fall,
whaling involves preparations that take
place throughout the entire year.
The Utqiagvik archaeological site
consists of over 60 mounds representing
prehistoric winter dwellings and
associated archaeological features. A
major archaeological excavation was
conducted in Barrow from 1981-1983 that
resulted in the investigation of many
houses and associated features. Many
house mounds are still visible in the
village of Barrow today and some of the
collection can be viewed at the Iñupiaq
Heritage Center. A full report is
available from the NSB-IHLC. Additional
archaeological sites are located at the
Nuwuk site and along the coast in the
vicinity of Barrow.
A meteorological and magnetic research
station was established near Barrow in
1881. In 1893, the Cape Smythe Whaling
and Trading Station was constructed.
Barrow is currently the economic,
transportation and administrative hub for
the North Slope Borough and the Ukpeagvik
Iñupiat Corporation is the Barro
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