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Alaska is unique in many aspecs! It has it's own time zone! There are no snakes, lizards, or creepy crawlers in Alaska. We are, however known for our giant mosquitos! Alaska boast the highest mountain in North America. Mount McKinley, or Denali (named by the Athabascan people meaning High One). McKinley is approximately 140 miles, NNW of Anchorage, and towers 20,320 feet at it's highest point. The Denali park and preserve owes its contrasting beauty of - wide low plains and dark, somber mountains; brightly colored peaks and sheer granite domes - to the Denali Fault. Geologist say that Mt. McKinley still rises.
Mt. McKinely at sunset!
Alaska has 54 million acres dedicated as National Parks and 6,640 miles of coastline! There are more than 3 millions lakes in Alaska. We have long days in summer, and long nights in the winter. June 21st being the longest day of the year, Anchorage will have approximately 21 hours of daylight. In our most northern village, of Barrow, the sun does not set from May until August. From November through January the sun does not rise for these people.
Alaska's Arctic is the spring destination for many migratory birds. Thousands of Snow Geese, Canada Geese and Sandhill Cranes frequent our skies twice a year. The spring and fall migration pass right through our area. Hundreds of thousands of Shorebirds stop in Kachemak Bay on their annual migration north to the Arctic.
Alaska is a land rich in resources, in opportunity, and in people involved in making a life on America's "last frontier."
THE TRANS-ALASKA PIPELINE Oil is especially important, because about 90 percent of the state's revenues come from the production and export of crude oil, and natural gas. Every day millions of gallons of oil are pumped through the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. This pipeline snakes its way from Prudhoe Bay on Alaska's northern coast to the southcentral port of Valdez, where the oil is pumped into tankers.
In reading the history of Alaska, one finds it quite ironic that the U.S. purchased it from the Russians, in 1867, for a mere two cents an acre. William H. Seward, Secretary of State under presidents A. Lincoln and A. Johnson, offered Russia $7,200,000 for Alaska. The offer was accepted, but many Americans scoffed at the purchase, calling Alaska "Seward's Folly". But the purchase was approved by the US and Alaska became a territory October 18,1867 and the Stars & Stripes flew for the first time over Alaska.
Alaska officially became the 49th. state January 3, 1959 and because of it's natural resources, has become one of the richest states in the Union.
There is an old Indian legend, that says when the fireweed blooms out the top, Alaskans can expect snow in six weeks. Not much credit is given to this legend, however.
The weather in Alaska is most unpredictiable. But one thing is for sure, when the fireweed tops out, winter is not far away.
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