Alaska (Image: Getty)
You've probably heard of Alaska in the news this week ahead of the anticipated Trump-Putin meeting. But few know much about Utqia？vik (formerly known as Barrow), the northernmost town in Alaska, and the United States, perched above the Arctic Circle. Here, winter brings over two months of polar night, when the sun doesn't rise, while summer offers continuous daylight. Temperatures can plunge below -30 °C.
Many residents, who are primarily Inupiat - indigenous people often referred to as Eskimos - rely on traditional hunting, clothing, and community practices to cope with the extreme cold, blending centuries-old techniques with modern heating and infrastructure.
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Utqia？vik is among the oldest continuously inhabited locations in the United States, with archaeological records showing people have lived there since around 800 AD. In the Inupiaq language, its name translates as "the place where we hunt snowy owls," though many other species have historically sustained the local population.
To put food on the table, residents of Arctic Alaska rely on seasonal hunts for whales, seals, walrus, caribou, and ducks, which also carry deep cultural importance. However, living there comes with a challenge: everyday goods are extremely expensive, as most food, fuel, and household items must be flown in or shipped long distances. This makes even basic food prices skyrocket - for example, a gallon of milk can cost around $12.
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Despite the harsh conditions, the community is remarkably close-knit. Utqia？vik acts as a regional hub for nearby smaller communities, and with roughly 4,300 residents, it ranks as one of the larger villages in Alaska. Residents maintain centuries-old Inupiat traditions, from subsistence whaling and hunting to crafting ivory and whalebone art. Local festivals, storytelling, and community meals strengthen bonds in the isolated outpost.
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One Reddit user said: "I've been there. Pretty awesome place to visit in my opinion."
Another added: "It is, I've been there as well. Very few towns like it on earth. And most of the year it's covered in snow, so it does look better then. What's sad is the rampant problem with alcohol the indigenous people there have, even though alcohol is illegal in the town as far as I'm aware. And the isolation and dark winters. Still, probably the most memorable place from my Alaska trip just due to how different it was, and the locals, well at least most of them, were quite welcoming."
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