Aleutians East

Aleutians East is an administrative division in southwestern Alaska extending from the Alaska Peninsula to the eastern Aleutian Islands. The region spans both mainland and island territories with a rugged coastline and several communities that depend primarily on fishing.

Russian fur traders first made contact with indigenous populations while hunting sea otters in the 1700s. European and Scandinavian fishermen arrived in the early 1900s and shaped the region's commercial fishing development.

The region maintains strong connections to Unangan heritage, with residents continuing fishing practices passed down through generations. This way of life shapes daily rhythms and shows how deeply local identity is tied to the sea.

Sand Point serves as the administrative hub where main services and the fishing fleet are based. Travel between communities relies mainly on boats and planes since roads do not connect the settlements.

The region experiences extreme weather conditions with long dark winters and brief summers that fundamentally shape daily life. This stark seasonality has led to distinctive ways of living and adapting that visitors notice right away.