Valdez is a city in Alaska located at the head of a fjord on the eastern side of Prince William Sound. The city was named after the Spanish Navy Minister Antonio Valdés y Fernández Bazán in 1790. It was originally settled by the Chugach Alaska Native people and later became a supply town for the Klondike Gold Rush. In 1964, Valdez was heavily damaged by the Good Friday earthquake, which remains the second deadliest earthquake in U.S. history. The city was subsequently moved to a new location to avoid future natural disasters.
Valdez has been home to a number of notable residents, including Olympic skier Tommy Moe, who won a gold medal in the 1994 Winter Olympics. The city has also been a filming location for several movies, including "The Hunt for Red October" and "The Guardian."
Valdez had a population of around 4,000 residents as of the 2020 census. The city's population has remained relatively stable in recent years, with a mix of permanent residents and seasonal workers.
Valdez is located at the southern end of the Richardson Highway, surrounded by the Chugach Mountains and the waters of Prince William Sound. The city experiences a maritime climate with cool, wet winters and mild summers.
Valdez's economy is largely driven by tourism, fishing, and oil transportation. The city is a popular cruise ship destination and serves as a gateway to the wilderness of the Chugach National Forest. Commercial fishing is also a significant industry in Valdez, with an abundance of salmon, halibut, and rockfish in the surrounding waters.
Valdez has a rich cultural heritage, with influences from the Chugach Alaska Native people, Russian settlers, and gold rush prospectors. The city hosts several annual events and festivals, including the Gold Rush Days celebration and the Blueberry Festival.