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 Alaska was purchased from
Russia in 1867 for 7.2 million dollars or two cents per acre. Alaska was
inarguably the best buy in the history of mankind. Alaska is considered
to be the last frontier .Alaska is our largest state in terms of area
and is more than double the size of the giant state of Texas, but Alaska
ranks forty seventh in terms of population.
Archeologists have proven that native Alaskans have lived and moved
through Alaska for more than ten thousand years but western settlers
have been here only three hundred years.
Alaska’s parks, forests, wildlife refuges and other public land
encompass more than three hundred million acres, an area twice the size
of the entire state of Texas.
The Alaskan gold rush started with the discovery of gold in 1897 and
mining for gold and many other minerals continues to be one of Alaska’s
leading industries. Oil is also found to be abundant in Alaska and if
estimates prove to be true, Alaska will produce more oil than any other
locale in the world. Alaska presents the most difficult conditions under
which to produce oil, other than possibly the North Sea. The Alaskan
Pipeline that carries oil from the distant oil fields to port is
considered to be an engineering marvel because of the harsh conditions
that it operates in and yet it is designed it doesn’t inhibit the
movement of wildlife.
The terrain in Alaska is varied and runs the gamut from rich valleys
that produce abundant crops to mountains and even some live volcanoes
and the tundra in the north.
In 1964, the Good Friday earthquake destroyed over three hundred million
dollars worth of property in towns around Prince William Sound. It was
the largest recorded earthquake in the United States with a reading of
9.2 on the Richter scale.
Alaska offers the world’s premiere wildlife viewing, fishing and
backcountry experiences, so be sure to allow the time to see it all.
Denali National Park offers unsurpassed scenery and opportunities to see
animals that you will never see anywhere else you travel.
Try kayaking among the Aleutian Islands for more beautiful scenery and
animals such as Sea Otters and the possibility of seeing a pod of whales
is always good.
There are many options when you plan your trip to Alaska .One of the
more popular is to take a cruise ship and if this is the option you
choose be sure to include some side trips in your itinerary, this will
enhance your trip tremendously.
Another great way to see Alaska is by rail. Alaska Railroad has a four
hundred seventy mile route ranging from Seward to Fairbanks. You will
have an unrestricted view of magnificent landscapes and you will also be
able to see Moose Caribou Bear and other wildlife along your route.
Visit Alaska it is a first class memory maker. |
