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About the Area
Kodiak is the second largest island in the United States being only slightly smaller
than the island of Hawaii. As a result of its volcanic origins there is no part of this
rugged island that is more than 15 miles from the ocean that surrounds it. Kodiak sits
at the crossroads of the world's most productive fishing grounds and most of the island
is designated as a national wildlife preserve. Explorer Captain James Cook named the
island in 1778 and the name "Kodiak" was similar to a native, Alutiq word for island.
Kodiak is famous for its huge brown bears, world class sport fishing and is homeport to
one of the largest commercial fishing fleets in the nation. Commercial fishing, related
business and seafood processing are the primary economic forces in the area. Kodiak boasts
a new rocket launch facility and has now had two successful rocket launches which are
watched by most of the Kodiak townspeople from the downtown area. The largest US Coast
Guard base in the United States is located in Kodiak.
The city of Kodiak and the six surrounding villages that comprise a population of
approximately 14,000 making it the sixth largest city in Alaska.
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