The Nome nugget., 1925-06-27
GENERAL DESCRIPTION NOME DISTRICT

square miles of territory, occupies large section of Northwestern Alaska known geographically as Seward Peninsula: is bounded by the Arctic Ocean the North and Boring Sea the West and pos some 600 miles of coast line. Nome, with population varying from s59 in winter to 2,ooo in summer, is the chief port and commercial center of the entire district the regions farther north and section of the Northeast Coas. of Siberia Nome is the mail distributing center for the entire district and is also the judicial headquarters for the Second Alaska Division. In practically all things the entire division is served from this port, The country generally is of rolling character with wide valleys and numerous lakes and streams The lowlands merge into low rounded hills fronting single lofty range which crosses the heart Of the district The mean summer temperature ranges between 40 and 50 degrees; the mean annual tenn perature between 25 and 40 degrees. Extremes of temperature recorded in Nome are around '7 de- grees in July 30 degrees minus n January Annual precipitation is about Is inches.
 The district is unquestionably one of the most highly minerazed regions of the known earth Gold is the chief but numerous varieties of lesser minerals are found large portion of the district and petroleum is known to exist in the region of Point Barrow short distance to the N-0N found within the district at several points The only real tin mines in Alaska and the largest known depostts of tin in America located in the Port Clarence section and coal beds of important extent exist in the Kugruk and Cape Lisburne regions near the northern coast.
 srce the discovery of gold o5 years ago the Nome district has produced more than $loo,ooo,- 900 in gold and silver in addition to tin, tungsten antmony and other metals valued at several mli- lions Conner and graphite are known to exist in explotable quantities and rich gold quartz ln small bodies and low grade quartz in large bodies has been found at numerous points. Almost all the best known metals are found in expiol'aoie quantities. The gold produced is almost entirely from pacers quartz mining not having feaehea ' state of active development as yet Dredging has become the chief method of gold extraction al though numerous hydraulic and 'open cue plants are operated. A very large part of the known mnerazed have been hardly more than pros pected remoteness and inadequate transportation facilities having greatly hindered development in the past. and many new placers and other mineral discoveries may be expected in the future when the district Is thoroughly exploited.
 In addition to it's great mineral resources the Nome district also contains tremendously important possibilities in thriving reindeer industry which although hardly more than started on a commer- cial scale, has already yielded revenues approxi- mating s5000,o0O.
 Fish of various species abound in the lakes, streams and coastal waters and form the basis for . great industry. Herring particularly plenti- ful and are pronounced by experts unexcelled by any herring known to the worlds markets. Sal mon and other varieties also plentiful
 The district also produces large variety or fur bearing animals which yield large annual rev. enue, in addition to game animals and wild fowl in large numbers. Berries and wild flowers grow in abundance in the intending daylight of summer Although the district as a whole is devoid of tim ber larger than willows plant life exists in great with vast carpet of thick and grasses.
 Transportation
 of new territory As result of extremely short sighted and iliberal policy the part of the Federal. Government inadequate and costly trans portation facilities have been the chief drawback to extensive exploitation of the great mineral wealth known to exist in the Nome District With in the nearly 23 900 square miles of territory there are less than $50 miles of permanent roads and more than 25 per of the total mileage Is found within 20 miles of Nome. Development cannot proceed save at slow pace under such conditions. During the past year or two the Government has inclined to more liberal spirit and prospects are hriph m extensions