Kodiak is on the northeastern tip of Kodiak Island in the Kodiak Island Borough. The 100-mile-long island is the main land mass of an archipelago in the Gulf of Alaska, southwest of the Kenai Peninsula. The Alaska Marine Highway connects the island to Homer, Seward and Aleutian chain communities.
The area was inhabited by Alutiiq peoples for millenia and today there are several Native villages. A Russian colony was founded in 1784 at Three Saints Bay on the island's southeastern side. Until 1804 the colony was the hub of Russian influence in Alaska. In 1867, Kodiak was part of Alaska's transfer to the U.S. The town was severely damaged by an earthquake and tsunami in 1964.
Today Kodiak, population 6,334, relies on fishing and crabbing as its main industries. Also helpful to the economy are a large Coast Guard base and tourism.
Kodiak is famed for its brown bear. Sportfishing, flight- and sight-seeing options abound. Of interest are the Alutiiq Museum & Archaeology Repository and Holy Resurrection Cathedral.