The Last Frontier:
Kotzebue, Alaska.
Located in the Chukchi Sea in the Arctic Ocean is the United States’ deadliest city in the deadliest state: Kotzebue, Alaska. Kotzebue, Alaska is located in the far north where the sun doesn’t set until August, the average high temperature is only 28.7 F (-1.8 C) and life expectancy is seventy-six years old—well below the national average at eighty-nine—that is, if you are one of the lucky few fortunate enough to die of natural causes.
Known as the Gateway to the Arctic, Kotzebue, Alaska is the most crime-ridden city in the most violent state in the entire United States, per capita. In fact, Kotzebue residents face a tragic one-in-forty chance of becoming the victim of a serious, brutal crime—the highest statistics in the entire country. That means if you had the choice of walking home alone at night in Detroit, Buffalo, Miami, Compton or Kotzebue, you'd take any city except Kotzebue. Even worse, every one-in-ten locals and tourists alike experience assault and minor crimes. For locals, murders, drownings, and toxic exposure are part of everyday life. So if you travel to Kotzebue and walk away with a broken bone and wallet or purse stolen, consider yourself lucky.
Alaska is the most northern, eastern, and western state in both of the Americas. It is the only state that enters the Eastern hemisphere. There is no doubt that Alaska is beautiful. Kotzebue, however, is a trading and gathering center for communities in one of the most isolated, coldest, and culturally rich areas. Of Russian etymology, Kotzebue is not a site to be missed by a brave traveler.
Located on the gravel spit of a forgotten Baldwin Peninsula, Kotzebue has a dry subarctic climate bordering the tundra with long, cold, dark winters and very short, frigid summers lasting less than five days at 70 degrees F (21.1 C) max.
The people of Kotzebue Alaska have been living in the harsh conditions of the Arctic Peninsula for over 6,000 years.
Experiencing some of the strongest winds, coldest temperatures, darkest nights and most violent crimes, inhabitants grasp their strong roots and show no signs of letting go. Nor should they.
Kotzebue boasts some of the most beautiful landscapes, wildlife and unique meteorological phenomena in the entire world. Compile majestic scenery, local cuisine, and ancient traditions, not to mention spooky mythology such as the Wendigo, and you have a must-see destination that you may never return from, whether you like it or not.
Alaska, known as The Last Western Frontier, is the deadliest state in the United States and its cities are infamous for violent, brutal and deadly crimes. If you are one of the few who walk away unscathed from an attack, you won't make it far because this state has one of the coldest, darkest and cruelest landscapes on the planet, respectively earning Alaska a reputation as the deadliest place in the United States.
You wouldn't believe the horrible and shocking things I came across while doing research for this article. Murders, suicides, and accidental drownings in Alaska happen so often I don't even know why people would choose to stay there. I imagine some don't have a choice. And there isn't a lot of government officials, such as police officers, or state regulators, to enforce laws or investigate crimes. I've researched many cities in many countries, and I think Alaska is the closest anarchist-related society in the United States.
The adventurous part of me thinks that it would be a wonderful once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience such a rich indigenous culture, but at the same time, being murdered isn't on my itinerary. There are scarier, deadlier destinations on my list I hope to share with you, if I get enough feedback, but Kotzbue might be pushing my adventurous limits.
How about you? Would you go to Kotzebue? Are there any travelers or Alaskan locals out there who have been there who would like to share your experience? I'd love to hear about it!
Thanks again, ghoulish travelers, for reading my third article in my series, "Deadliest Places on Earth." I have hundreds of more articles like this I can't wait to write and share with you, but only if you want them. Please upvote and share this post. If you know of any deadly places you'd like to learn more about, suggest them in the comment section below!
Thanks again, ghoulies!
And don't forget to pick up a copy of my book, "Deadliest Places on Earth," located in the Amazon link below!