Tourist Guide Valdez
Situated on the north shore of Port Valdez, a deep-water fjord in Prince William Sound, Valdez is located beneath the Chugach Mountains and is surrounded by numerous glaciers. It covers an area of 717.6 sq km.
Normally referred to as ‘Little Switzerland’, it is the northernmost port in North America that is ice-free throughout the year. It is also the southern terminus of the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline.
The climate in summer is mild with an average temperature of 10°C. Winters are cold and snowy with an average temperature of –10°C. Due its proximity to the ocean, the city receives abundant rainfall.
The town was nearly destroyed in the 1964 earthquake. Founded by miners at the turn of the century, this fishing port now has a population of around 4,000. The oil industry is the largest employer of the people but tourism and commercial fishing also contribute to the economy.
