The Sitka City and Borough of Alaska is located approximately 60 miles west of Juneau in the southeastern part of the state. It covers 2,870 square miles with a population close to 9,500 people. This area has been home to Tlingit Native tribes for centuries and remains an important cultural gathering place to this day. The economy here relies mainly on tourism and commercial fishing but there are also small businesses that cater to visitors year-round as well as art galleries showcasing locally-made products. Visitors can enjoy outdoor activities like whale watching, kayaking or hiking through lush forest land covered with Sitka spruce trees.