The Nome nugget., 1922-06-24
General Description Rome District

Peninsua is bounded by the Arctic Ocean North and Boring the West and 500 miles of coast line Nome with population varying from $50 in winter 2oOO is the chief port and com nercal center of the entire district the regions farther north section of the Northeast coast of Siberia Nome is the mail distributing center for the entire district also the judicial headquarters for the Second AL aska Division In practically all things the entire dvi sion served from this port The country generally is of rolling character with wide valleys and numerous lakes and streams The lowands into low rounded hills fronting single lofty which crosses the heart of the district The mean summer temperature ranges be- tween 40 and 50 degrees annual temperature between 2 and 40 Extremes of temperature corded Nome around 77 degrees in July to 30 de- grees minus in January Annual precipitation is about IS inches.
 The district is unquestionaby one of the most highly mineralized regions of the known earth Gold s the chief but varieties of lesser minerals found large portion of the district and petroleum known to exist in the region of Point Barrow short distance to the north of the peninsula Oil indications also found within the district at sev points The only real tin mines in Alaska and the largest known deposits of tin in America located in Clarence section and coal beds of important tent exist in the Kugruk and Cape Lisbune regions near the northern coast.
 Since the discovery gold 22 years ago. the Nome District produced than $S1 0oo0 900 in gold silver addition to n tungsten antmony and other metals valued at several millions Copper and graphite exist in expioabe quantities and gold quartz small bodies and low grade quartz in large bodies has been found at numerous points Almost the best known metals are found in exploa- ble quantities The gold produced is almost entirely placers quartz mining not having reached state of active development yet Dredging has become the chief method gold extraction although numerous hy drauic and "open cut plants are operated very large part the known minerazed areas have been hardly than prospected remoteness and inadequate transportation facilities having greatly hindered develop ment in past and many pacers and other min be expected in the future when the district is thoroughly exploited
 In addition its great mineral resources. the Nome District also contains tremendously important pos abilities in its thriving reindeer industry which, aitho hardly than started commercial scale has al- ready yielded revenues approximating $3.seo.oO0.
 Fish of various species abound in the lakes. and coastal waters and form the basis for great industry Herring particularly plentiful and are pronounced by experts unexcelled by herring known to worlds markets. salmon and other va- reties also plentiful
 The district also produces a large variety of fur bearing animals which yield large annual in addition to game animals fowl in large numbers. Berries wild flowers in abundance in the un ending daylight of summer. Although the district as whole devoid of timber larger than willows plant life exists profuson and the low hills and valleys are covered with carpet of thick moss and grasses Characterization Roads the first essentials to the development of territory. As result of an extremely sighted and iiberal policy the part of the federal inadequate and costly trans poration facilities have been the chief drawback to ex- tensve exploitation of the great mineral wealth known to exist in the Nome District. Within the nearly 23000 square territory there less than 25O miles Of permanent than 25 cent of the total mileage is found within 20 miles of Nome. Develop ment proceed at slow pace under such con- ditions During the past year two the government has inclined liberal spirit and prospects are now bright important extensions of present highways which will prove vast benefit. projected govern ment extension of the NomeKougarok railway through the heart of Kugruk coal fields will not only open great area mineral lands to exploitation but will also acquisition of cheap fuel the a sence which been powerful deterrent to mining and industrial development in all lines.
 6old n2injnd The Nome District has been the source nearly fourth of the mineral wealth pro- duced in the Alaska territory during the past 20 years Yet whal least developed portion of the country This is largely fact that only the districts cas- jest of access received the attention of the miner and prospector. There still hundreds of square miles mineral bearing territory untouched by the hand industry owing the absence of roads and resultant difficulties of transportation. .