Haines, Coastal town in Southeast Alaska, United States
Haines sits at the northern end of Lynn Canal in Southeast Alaska, where the Chilkat Range rises directly from the water and forms narrow valleys between the peaks. The town spreads along a small peninsula, surrounded by tidal flats, conifer forests, and the mouths of two major rivers that flow into the sea.
A Tlingit community lived at this spot for centuries before a trader opened a post in 1879 and attracted European settlers. The place received its current name in 1884 and grew during the Yukon Gold Rush as a supply point for travelers heading inland.
The Sheldon Museum and Cultural Center displays extensive collections of Tlingit artifacts, local art, and photographs documenting the region's development.
A ferry terminal connects the town to other coastal communities in Alaska, while a road runs north and crosses the border into Canada. Most shops and services cluster along a few streets near the harbor, making it easy to walk around.
From fall through late winter, thousands of bald eagles gather along the river banks in the area, drawn by late-spawning salmon. This gathering is considered the largest concentration of these birds anywhere in the world and attracts observers from many countries.
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