Map of Wales city, Alaska

Wales (Inupiaq: Kiŋigin, IPA: [kiŋiɣin]; Russian: У́эйлс, romanized: Weyls) is a city in the Nome Census Area, Alaska, United States. At the 2010 census the population was 145, down from 152 in 2000. It is the westernmost city on the North American mainland, although Adak, located on Adak Island, is the westernmost city in Alaska. Wales Airport serves Wales with flights on Bering Air and Ravn Alaska to Nome.

Wales city overview:
Name:	Wales city
LSAD Code:	25
LSAD Description:	city (suffix)
State:	Alaska
County:	Nome Census Area
Incorporated:	April 16, 1964
Elevation:	26 ft (8 m)
Total Area:	2.30 sq mi (5.97 km²)
Land Area:	2.30 sq mi (5.97 km²)
Water Area:	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km²)
Total Population:	168
Population Density:	72.92/sq mi (28.16/km²)
ZIP code:	99783
Area code:	907
FIPS code:	0282860
GNISfeature ID:	1404755

Online Interactive Map

Wales online map. Source: Basemap layers from Google Map, Open Street Map (OSM), Arcgisonline, Wmflabs. Boundary Data from Database of Global Administrative Areas.

Wales location map. Where is Wales city?

Wales location on the Alaska map. Where is Wales city. — Location of Wales in Alaska.

History

A burial mound from the Birnirk culture (CE 500 to 900) was discovered near Wales and is now a National Historic Landmark.

In 1827, a Russian Navy report listed the Inupiat villages of “Eidamoo” near the coast and “King-a-ghe” inland in the area.

In 1890, the American Missionary Association established a mission at the site of present-day Wales. In the 1890s, reindeer (domesticated caribou) were brought to the area and in 1894 a reindeer station was established. Wales became an important whaling center due to its location along whale migratory routes, and it was the region’s largest and most prosperous village, with more than 500 residents. Wales is named after the country Wales.

The 1918 flu pandemic decimated the population and economy of Wales.

In 2002 a wind-diesel system became operational.

On November 9, 2011, the city experienced the 2011 Bering Sea superstorm. Wind gusts of 89 miles per hour (143 km/h) were recorded in Wales.

On January 17, 2023, a polar bear entered the community of Wales and chased multiple residents. The bear fatally attacked an adult female and a juvenile male. It was shot and killed by a local resident as it mauled the pair. This was Alaska’s first reported polar bear attack in over 30 years.

Wales Road Map

Wales city Satellite Map

Geography

Wales is located at 65°36′44″N 168°5′21″W / 65.61222°N 168.08917°W / 65.61222; -168.08917 (65.612116, −168.089285).

Wales is located on the westernmost point of the American mainland, Cape Prince of Wales, on the western tip of the Seward Peninsula. It is at the northern end of the Continental Divide where the Pacific Ocean and Arctic Ocean meet. It is 111 miles (179 km) northwest of Nome.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.8 square miles (7.3 km), all of it land.