Shishmaref Alaska Map

About Shishmaref, Alaska

Shishmaref is a locality in Nome, Alaska, United States. It is a small community with a population of 466. The population density is 77.2 people per km². Shishmaref is located at 66.2567°N, 166.0719°W. It observes the Alaska Time (America/Nome) timezone. ZIP code: 99772.

Shishmaref rests on a narrow barrier island, a sliver of land between the vast Bering Sea and the shimmering Chukchi Sea, its shores frequently kissed by the icy spray. It lies 532.0 miles west-north-west of Fairbanks, AK (from Fairbanks, AK: bearing 289°T), and is situated 64.8 miles north of Brevig Mission. The landscape here is one of stark, windswept beauty, where low-lying tundra, carpeted in hardy mosses and sedges, meets the endless horizon. The air, even in summer, carries a bracing chill, a constant reminder of the Arctic's formidable presence, and the light at dusk often paints the sky in hues of rose and lavender, a fleeting spectacle before the long twilight descends. Distant ice floes, like scattered jewels, sometimes drift into view, their blue-white forms stark against the steely gray of the sea. Shishmaref’s history is deeply entwined with the sea and the traditions of its Inupiat inhabitants, who have navigated these waters for generations. The village economy, once heavily reliant on subsistence hunting and fishing, now also sees a small but vital influx from tourism, drawn by the unique Arctic environment and cultural experiences. The constant threat of coastal erosion, a stark reality of climate change, has become a defining characteristic of Shishmaref, prompting discussions and efforts toward relocation that speak to the resilience and adaptability of its people. The rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore is the constant soundtrack to daily life in Shishmaref, a timeless pulse that has shaped its character.

About This Shishmaref Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Shishmaref, Alaska — switch between views using the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. Coordinates: 66.256667, -166.071944. Live weather conditions are sourced directly from the National Weather Service, with current observations and a 7-day forecast also powered by Open-Meteo. Real-time local news and world news feeds keep the page current, while a Wikipedia summary or an editorially written description provides background on Shishmaref and Nome.

Detailed location data for Shishmaref includes the ZIP code (99772), telephone area code (907), county seat of Nome, and school district assignment (Bering Strait School District). These are among the most commonly searched location details for any US city or town.

Location data is drawn from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and cross-verified against 2020 US Census records by coordinate proximity — ensuring the correct Shishmaref is identified even where the name is shared across multiple counties or states. Population figures are sourced from the 2020 US Census.