With a population of just 30,711, Juneau is not the smallest state capital Montpelier, Vermont garners that honor but Juneau is the most uniquely situated. Drive out any of Juneau's thoroughfares, go past the city limits, and eventually you will come to a yellow sign marking the end of the road. The pavement ends abruptly, and past the end is a remarkable sight: a visible demarcation line where civilization actually ends and the dark green deep Alaskan woods begins countless miles of dense, trackless, primeval rain forest, pushed back and held in check by man at Juneau's edge, but fully encircling it, penetrated only by waterways leading to and from the sea.
With a population of just 30,711, Juneau is not the smallest state capital Montpelier, Vermont garners that honor but Juneau is the most uniquely situated. Drive out any of Juneau's thoroughfares, go past the city limits, and eventually you will come to a yellow sign marking the end of the road. The pavement ends abruptly, and past the end is a remarkable sight: a visible demarcation line where civilization actually ends and the dark green deep Alaskan woods begins countless miles of dense, trackless, primeval rain forest, pushed back and held in check by man at Juneau's edge, but fully encircling it, penetrated only by waterways leading to and from the sea.
Alaskan Airlines has many flights going to and from Juneau, and in season, many large cruise ships dock in its harbor daily. Even with its geographic isolation, Juneau welcomes over a million visitors a year. And for good reason; surrounded as it is by wild forests and rugged mountains, this north woods outpost city gleams like a jewel, beckoning visitors to come enjoy the warm hospitality, spectacular outdoor vistas, and recreational opportunities that Juneau affords.
