The Kodiak Island Archipelago is a large group of islands about 30 miles off the coast of Alaska. Kodiak is Alaska's largest island (larger than the State of Connecticut), home of the nation's biggest land omnivore (the Kodiak brown bear) and one of the largest fishing ports in the nation. In fact, Kodiak houses the second most lucrative fisheries port in Alaska, and the fourth most lucrative in the U.S. Copious rainfall combined with temperate weather create the lush vegetation that carpets the terrain and gives the Emerald Isle its name.

The legacy of the seafaring Alutiiq people, the islands' first inhabitants, dates back nearly 8,000 years. Kodiak became Alaska's first permanent Russian settlement in 1792 and served for many years as Russian America's capital. Russian influence is still strong in many island communities as evidenced by the prevalence of Russian Orthodox churches. The culture and history of the Alutiiq people are displayed and explored at the Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository in Kodiak.

The Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge (1.8 million acres), along with five state parks and recreation areas, offer vast possibilities for hiking, fishing, kayaking and boating, “flightseeing”, and wildlife viewing. In addition to the famous Kodiak brown bear, Kodiak is home to salmon, deer, elk, sea otters, sea lions, foxes, mountain goats, eagles, puffins, and numerous other sea birds.