Northwest Arctic Borough

Northwest Arctic Borough is an administrative region in northern Alaska that encompasses vast tundra areas and numerous Indigenous settlements spread across remote territory. The district stretches across frozen landscapes near the Arctic Ocean with small communities separated by large distances.

The borough was established in 1972 following the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971, which reorganized land rights and Indigenous governance structures. This reorganization fundamentally changed how local communities held title to their ancestral lands.

Local communities practice traditional ways of living based on fishing, hunting, and gathering that define daily routines and social structures. These activities remain central to how people organize their lives and support their families.

Most communities lack road connections and travel between settlements primarily happens by air, especially during winter months when weather is severe. Visitors should expect limited access to goods and services, and plan accordingly for self-sufficiency.

During winter months the region experiences extended darkness lasting more than two months, while summer brings weeks of continuous daylight when the sun never sets. These extreme cycles of light and darkness shape life and nature in this polar landscape.

Location: Alaska

Inception: 1986

Capital city: Kotzebue

Part of: organized borough

Shares border with: North Slope Borough, Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Nome Census Area

Website: http://nwabor.org

GPS coordinates: 67.00000,-160.00000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:22