The Nome nugget., 1922-07-22
,eneral Description Rome District


 The Nome Mining District. comprising 22.70O uare miles of territory, occupies large section of ,rthwestern Alaska known geographically Seward ninsula is bounded by the Arctic Ocean the North Herng Sea on the West and possesses 800 miles line Nome, with population varying from $50 winter to 2OO0 in summer is the chief port and rcial the entire district the regions farther rth and vast section of Northeast of Siberia the mail distributing center for the entire district is also the judicial headquarters for the Second Al Division. In practically all things the entire dvi- n served from this port The country generally Is rolling character with wide valleys and numerous lakes streams The lowlands merge into low rounded hills nting single lofty which crosses the heart of district The mean summer temperature ranges be- zen 40 and 50 degrees; the annual temperature ween 25 and 40 degrees Extremes of temperature ded at Nome around 77 degrees in July to 30 de- es minus in January Annual precipitation is about inches.
 The district is unquestionably of the most hly mineraized regions of the known earth. Gold he chief resource but numerous varieties of lesser erals found large portion of the district petroleum is to exist in the region of Point row. short distance to the north of the peninsula. indications also found within the district at points, The only real tin mines in Alaska and the .est deposits of tin in America are located in Clarence section and coal beds of important exist in the Kugruk and Cape Lisburne regions near northern coast
 Since the discovery of gold 22 years ago. the ,e District has produced more than $s1 oeo.0oO in and silver in addition to tn tungsten. antmony and IT metals valued at several millions. Copper and ,hite known exist in exploable quantities and gold quartz in small bodies and low grade quartz lrge bodies has been found at numerous points. ost all the best known metals are found in exploa quantities The gold produced is almost entirely erfx iDin hay he'd a at ata ctive development as yet. Dredging has become the method of gold extraction although numerous hy- ilic and "open cut" plants are operated very e part of the known mineralized areas have been fly than prospected, remoteness sad inadequate sportation facilities having greatly hfndered develop in the past, and many new piacers aad other min' discoveries may be expected in the future when the jet is thoroughly exploited.
 In addition to its great mineral resources. the District also contains tremendously important pos ities in its thriving reindeer industry which, atho ly more than started a commercial scale. has al V yielded revenues approximating S3.o0o0so.
 Fish of various species abound in the lakes. .ms and coastal waters and form the basis for t industry. Herring are particularly plentiful and pronounced by experts unexcelled by any herring vn to the worlds markets. Salmon and other va ss also plentiful
 The district also produces a large variety of fur ing animals which yield large annual revenue. in ion to game animals and wild fowl in large numbers ies and wild flowers grow in abundance in the un- lg daylight of summer. Although the district as is devoid of timber larger than willows plant life
 in great profusion and the low hills and valleys ed with vast carpet of thick moss and grasses. nSporfdficn Roads the first essentials to development of new territory As result of mely short sighted and iliberal policy the part federal government, inadequate and costly trans tion facilities have been the chief drawback to ex- ye exploitation of the great mineral wealth known tst in the Nome District Within the nearly 23.0o0 e miles of territory there less than 250 miles of anent and more than 25 per cent of the total ge is found within 20 miles of Nome Develop cannot proceed save at slow pace under such con- ls During the past year or two the government inclined to liberal spirit and prospects are now for important extensions of present highways will prove of vast benefit. projected govern extension of the Nome -Kougarok railway through cart of the district to the Kugruk coat fields will not open a great area Of mineral lands to exploitation i'll also enable the acquisition of cheap fuel the a
 of which has been powerful deterrent to mining industrial development in all lines
 If1S,,S,,n The Nome District has been the e of nearly one fourth of the mineral wealth pro- I in the Alaska territory during the past 20 years
 hal is the least developed portion of the country is largely due fact that only the districts f access have received the attention of the miner ,rospector There are still. hundreds of square of known mineral bearing territory untouched by and of industry owing to the absence of roads and tant difficulties of transportation