- Outsiders first discovered
Alaska in 1741 when Danish
explorer Vitus Jonassen Bering sighted it on a voyage fromSiberia . - Russian whalers and fur traders on Kodiak Island established the first settlement in
Alaska - In 1867 United States Secretary of State William H. Seward offered
Russia $7,200,000, or two cents per acre, for Alaska. - On October 18, 1867
Alaska officially became the property of theUnited States Alaska - Joe Juneau's 1880 discovery of gold ushered in the gold rush era.
- The discovery of gold in the
Yukon Nome andFairbanks Juneau is the only capital city in the United States accessible only by boat or plane.- The state's largest city is
Anchorage ; the second largest is Fairbanks. - Nearly one-third of
Alaska lies within theArctic Circle . Alaska
the easternmost (Pochnoi Point onSemisopochnoi Island in the Aleutians), and the westernmost
(Amatignak Island in the Aleutians) points in the United States. When a scale map ofAlaska is superimposed on a map of the 48 lower states, Alaska extends from coast to coast.Alaska is theUnited State 's largest state and is over twice the size of Texas. Measuring from north to south the state is approximately 1,400 miles long and measuring from east to west it is 2,700 miles wide.Alaska Rhode Island could fit intoAlaska Alaska
next four largest states combined!- The state boasts the lowest population density in the nation.
- One half of Alaska's population lives in the
Anchorage - The native peoples of
Alaska Alaska native refers toAlaska - There are more private airplane pilots per capita in
Alaska Alaska is less than 3 miles from Russia! This is the distance between Big andLittle Diomede Island . The rest of
Alaska is 55 miles east ofRussia Alaska is the only state to have coastlines on three different seas; the Arctic Ocean, Pacific Ocean and
Bering Sea .Alaska Alaska has more coastline than the rest of the United States combined! The Yukon River, almost 2,000 miles long, is the third longest river in theU.S. Alaska
square miles Naknek - 242 square miles- In 1943 Japan invaded the
Aleutian Islands , which started the One Thousand Mile War, the first battle fought on American soil since the Civil War. - Agattu, Attu, and Kiska are the only parts of
North America occupied by Japanese troops during World War II.
Of the 20 highest peaks in the One." The It covers from the Alaska Peninsula to the Mount Elias: 18,008 feet Foraker - 17,400 feet Bona - 16,500 feet Churchhill - 15,638 feet Fairweather - 15,300 feet Hubbard - 15,015 feet Bear - 14,831 |   |
- In 1986
Mount Augustine erupted nearAnchorage
active volcanoes inAlaska
The most violent volcanic eruption of the century took place in 1912 when
Novarupta Volcano erupted, creating the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes which is
now part of Katmai National Park
   | wildlife is a big attraction and here's why: Kodiak Bear; 1,400 pounds, 11 feet tall Polar Bear; 1,400 pounds, 11 feet tall Grizzly Bear (Brown Bear); 800 pounds, 9 feet tall Moose; Average 1,350 pounds, 5 feet high to shoulder Antlers span; 72 inches The moose is the largest member of the deer family and can weigh over 1500 pounds. The polar bear rarely goes onto land. It prefers to hunt seals on the ice pack. The polar bear is the largest carnivorous animal on earth. The musk ox is a long-haired oxen that is a holdover from the Ice Age. The Kodiak bear is the largest bear in the world. |
Alaska Alaska clearwater Southwest Alaska features some of the finest wild rainbow trout fishing in the world! The sheefish is the largest member of the whitefish family and looks like a tarpon.
- The fishing and seafood industry is the state's largest private industry employer.
- Most of America's salmon, crab, halibut, and herring come from
Alaska
 ranging from tiny cirque glaciers to huge valley glaciers. There are more active glaciers and ice fields in world. The largest glacier is the Malaspina at 850 square miles. Five percent of the state, or 29,000 square miles, is covered by glaciers. The Malaspina Glacier near Yakutat is larger than the state of Island |  |
Alaska Wood-Tikchik State Park near Dillingham is the largest state park in theUnited States Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is the largest national park in theUnited States Mt. Denali (formerlyMt. McKinley ), the tallest mountain inNorth America at 20,320 feet above sea level. Glacier BayNational Park and Preserve near Gustavus features 16 tidewater glaciers and excellent whale watching opportunities.Tongass National Forest nearJuneau is the largest in theUnited States Alaska Alaska accounts for 25% of the oil produced in theUnited States - Prudhoe Bay, on the northern Alaskan coast, is
North America 's largest oil field. - The Trans-Alaska Pipeline moves up to 88,000 barrels of oil per hour on its 800 mile journey to
Valdez - The wild Forget-me-Not is the official state flower. The Territorial Legislature adopted it in 1917.
- The Willow Ptarmigan is the official state bird. It can change its color from light brown to snow white. The Willow Ptarmigan was named
Alaska - The Sitka Spruce is the official state tree. The evergreen is found throughout the southeastern and central areas of
Alaska - State Marine Mammal: Bowhead whale
- State Fish: King salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) King salmon weighing up to 100 lb. have been caught in
Alaska - State Sport: Dog Mushing. It once was the primary form of transportation in most of Alaska. Today dog sled racing is a popular winter sport. It was adopted as the state sport in 1972.
- State Gem: Jade.
Alaska has a large deposit of jade, including an big mountain filled with dark green jade on theSeward Peninsula . - State Mineral: Gold. The search for gold played a major role in shaping the history of Alaska, from the discovery of gold in
Juneau to the great gold rush atNome - State Insect: Four spot skimmer dragonfly
- An unnamed draftsman created the state seal in 1910. It consists of a rising sun shining on forests, lake, fishing and shipping boats, and agricultural and mining activities.
- The state motto is North to the Future.
- In 1926 13-year-old Bennie Benson from
Cognac ,Alaska Alaska has been calledAmerica - The
Alaska Highway was originally built as a military supply road during World War II. - Oil is the state's most valuable natural resource. The area includes what is thought to be the largest oil field in
North America . Alaska 's geographic center is 60 miles northwest ofMount McKinleyAlaska 's weather: The average snowfall inValdez
Pass averages over 500 inches of snow each year! The average high temperature forFairbanks
January is -1 degree F. The highest ever recorded temperature inAlaska was 100 degrees F inFort Yukon Alaska was -80 degrees F at Prospect Creek in theBrooks Range ! CoastalAlaska winters are much milder than Interior Alaska winters due to Pacific Ocean influences.In 1915 the record high temperature inAlaska was 100 degrees Fahrenheit atFort Yukon
- The Alaskan malamute sled dog is strong and heavily coated. It was developed as a breed by a group of Eskimos named the Malemiuts.
Alaska Alaska - On March 27, 1964, North America’s strongest recorded earthquake, with a moment magnitude of 9.2, rocked central
Alaska Alaska
inAlaska - Islands (largest) Kodiak - 3,588 square miles Prince of Wales - 2,770 square miles Chichagof - 2,062 square miles
The Towns and Cities of Alaska (For more information refer to Gulf of Alaska Cruise Page
Barrow - locate on the Beaufort Sea, is the northernmost settlement in the United States
Kotzebue - on the northwest coast, lies just above the Arctic Circle, as does nearly one-third of Alaska Kotzebue , Alaska
Dutch Harbor (Unalaska) - set amid the stunning scenery of the Aleutian Islands, is a top commerical fishing port renowned for its unique history, plentiful bird watching and world-class sport fishing opportunities. Dutch Harbor , Alaska
Dillingham - began life as a Russian trading center in 1818. Located on Bristol Bay, it is now a commercial and sport fishing center and the gateway to Wood-Tikchik State Park Dillingham , Alaska
King Salmon - on the Alaska Peninsula, is a fishing hub and gateway to Katmai National Park Bristol Bay is home to the world's largest red salmon fishery. King Salmon, Alaska
Cordova- takes its name from a nearby strait, named Puerto Cordova by Spanish explorer Dan Salvador Fidalgo in 1970. The town's fishing fleet is the source for much of the famed Copper River salmon that gourmet seafood lovers anxiously await each spring. Cordova , Alaska
Alaskan Words
- Alaskan Horse Mosquitoes, big ones and lots of them
- Blue Cloud Southern term for a break in a cloudy sky.
- Breakup The time in spring with ice begins to melt and the rivers start to flow, signaling the end of winter.
- The Bush Any part of
Alaska - Bush Pilot A pilot who services remote areas in a small plane, which is commonly equipped
with floats or skis. - Cabin Fever The state of being housebound, typically in cramped quarters, due to inclement
weather and darkness. - Cache Small structure built on stilts to protect food from animals; also used colloquially
to refer to small corner stores. - Calve The action by which glacial ice breaks off, or calves, from a glacier to form icebergs.
- Cheechako A newcomer to
Alaska - Chum Another name for dog salmon.
- Iditarod The thousand-mile sled dog race from
Anchorage to ome held annually in March. - Lower 48 Local reference to the continental
United States minusHawaii
special shipping rates. - Midnight Sun The sun above the horizon at midnight on the longest day of the year.
- Mukluks Salskin or reindeer-skin boots traditionally worn by the Inuit.
- Outside Any place not in
Alaska - Pay Dirt A mining term referring to placer gold that was sure to bring a profit to a miner.
- Quiviut Wool from the Alaskan musk ox.
- Southeast A local term for
Southeast Alaska . - Southeast Sneaker Brown rubber boots residents tend to wear often; whether it is raining or just in case.
- Sourdough This term applies to anyone who has managed to weather an Alaskan winter, or an old-time resident who is "sour on the country but without enough dough to get out."
- Taku Wind A sudden, powerful wind gusting up to 100 mph, which can cause rain to fall sideways.
- Termination Dust The first snowfall marking the beginning to winter.
- Ulu A fan-shaped knife used for chopping meat.
Biggest MISCONCEPTIONS about Alaska
Most visitors have pleasant surprises in store when they come to Alaska Alaska
Weather is the #1 misconception. Over a third of all vacation/pleasure visitors found the weather better than expected. During the summer, average daytime temperatures throughout the state range from the 60s to the 90s.
Road conditions are usually better than expected. Almost the entire length of the Alaska Highway is asphalt-surfaced, and approximately half of the roads in the state’s highway system are paved.
The third misconception is price. Contrary to popular belief, prices throughout Alaska
MEALS Expect variety in price and in menu.
Deluxe Hamburger
Salmon Dinner
Breakfast $5.00-9.95
$18.00-25.00
$3.00-11.00
ACCOMMODATIONS Rates reflect the low tariff in the off season the high in the summer months.
Hotel/Motel, Standard
Hotel/Motel, Deluxe
Bed & Breakfast
Wilderness Lodge
Private Cabins $40.-90.
$90.-145.
$45.-80.
$150.-425.
$20.-100.
CAMPING Reservations suggested.
Campsites
RV Hookup From $5.00/day
From $10.00/day
SIGHTSEEING
Flightseeing
Whale Watching
3- and 4-Day Cruises From $9/person
From $90./hour
From $90./day
From $300./day
FISHING Alaska sportfishing licenses for nonresidents are available in Alaska
3-Day Nonresident License
14-Day Nonres. License
Charter Boat Fishing From$120.00/day
Please! No Offense Intended...Just Sharing Some Smiles
~~~~~
Sam had been in business for 25 years and is finally sick of the stress. He quits his job and buys 50 acres of land in Alaska
"Great," says Sam, "after six months out here I'm ready to meet some local folks. Thank you." As Lars is leaving, he stops. "Gotta warn you... There's gonna be some drinkin'." "Not a problem... after 25 years in business, I can drink with the best of 'em."
Again, as he starts to leave, Lars stops. "More 'n' likely gonna be some fightin' too." Sam says, "Well, I get along with people. I'll be there.Thanks again."
Once again Lars turns from the door. "I've seen some wild sex at these parties, too."
"Now that's really not a problem," says Sam. "I've been all alone for six months! I'll definitely be there. By the way, what should I wear?"
Lars stops in the door again and says, "Whatever you want, just gonna be the two of us."
~~~~~
According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid December. Female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring. Therefore, according to every historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, every single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen - had to be a female. We should've known. Only women would be able to drag a fat man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost.
