Juneau is the only U.S. state capital located on the Canadian border.
The city lies in Alaska’s panhandle, beside the Gastineau Channel and near the boundary with British Columbia. The international border runs through the rugged Coast Mountains east of Juneau. This location makes Juneau unusual among state capitals: it is close to Canada but separated from most of Alaska by mountains, waterways, and vast distances.
Juneau began as a gold-mining settlement after Joseph Juneau and Richard Harris found gold in the area in 1880. It was originally called Harrisburg and later Rockwell before becoming Juneau. The city became Alaska’s territorial capital in 1906, replacing Sitka, and retained the role when Alaska became a state in 1959.
Juneau is also the only U.S. state capital inaccessible by road from the rest of its state. Ferries, aircraft, and cruise ships provide its principal connections. Anchorage is much larger, but Juneau remains Alaska’s governmental capital.