Alaska Facts
Nickname: The Last Frontier
Motto: "North to the future"
Population: 626,932 as of 2000
Size: 570,374 square miles, about 2 1/2 times the size of Texas
Capital: Juneau
State Sport: dog mushing
Products: seafood, timber, fertilizer, zinc, ore, coal, oil
Languages: English and 20 native Alaskan languages, including Inupiaq (pronounced i-noo-pee-ak) and Yupik (pronounced you-pik)
Climate: cold winters and mild summers; frigid winters inland and in Arctic regions
Nickname: The Last FrontierMotto: "North to the future"
Population: 626,932 as of 2000
Size: 570,374 square miles, about 2 1/2 times the size of Texas
Capital: Juneau
State Sport: dog mushing
Products: seafood, timber, fertilizer, zinc, ore, coal, oil
Languages: English and 20 native Alaskan languages, including Inupiaq (pronounced i-noo-pee-ak) and Yupik (pronounced you-pik)
Climate: cold winters and mild summers; frigid winters inland and in Arctic regions
Alaska's Flag
Seventh-grade student Benny Benson won a statewide contest to design the new flag for the territory in 1926.
He placed the Big Dipper and the North Star—eight stars of gold—on a blue background.
The blue represented the blue sky of Alaska and the blue of the state flower, the forget-me-not.
The Alaska Territorial Legislature officially adopted the design in 1927.
Seventh-grade student Benny Benson won a statewide contest to design the new flag for the territory in 1926.He placed the Big Dipper and the North Star—eight stars of gold—on a blue background.
The blue represented the blue sky of Alaska and the blue of the state flower, the forget-me-not.
The Alaska Territorial Legislature officially adopted the design in 1927.
Alaska's Song
“Alaska's Flag” was adopted as the official state song by the Alaska Territorial Legislature in 1955.
The lyrics for Alaska's official state song were written by Marie Drake initially as a poem.
The music was written by Elinor Dusenbury.
“Alaska's Flag” was adopted as the official state song by the Alaska Territorial Legislature in 1955.
The lyrics for Alaska's official state song were written by Marie Drake initially as a poem.
The music was written by Elinor Dusenbury.
Amazing Alaska Facts - A Land of Extremes
Tallest mountain in North America: Mt. McKinley at 20,320 feet
Biggest earthquake in North America: The Good Friday quake of March 27, 1964 registered at 9.2 on the Richter scale
Tallest mountain in North America: Mt. McKinley at 20,320 feetBiggest earthquake in North America: The Good Friday quake of March 27, 1964 registered at 9.2 on the Richter scale
Largest state park in the United States: Wood-Tikchik State Park in southwestern Alaska is 1.6 million acres
Greatest concentration of glaciers in the US: Nearly 30,000 square miles or 5% of the state is covered by glaciers
Largest national park: Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is more than 13 million square miles, six times bigger than Yellowstone
Most active volcanoes in the US: 80% of all active volcanoes and 10% of all the volcanoes in the world are located in Alaska
Longest earthquake fault system in North America: Denali Fault system runs parallel to the Alaska range
Largest gathering of bald eagles in North America. Some 4,000 eagles come to the Chilkat River near Haines in November to feed on a late run of salmon there.
The coldest temperature ever recorded in the United States was in Alaska.
On January 23, 1971, the temperature dropped to -79.8 (often rounded up to -80) at Prospect Creek. That's only one degree warmer than the coldest temperature ever in North America.
On February 3, 1947, the thermometer at Snag in the Yukon hit -81.4 degrees Fahrenheit. The coldest temperature recorded in the world is -129F at Vostok, Antarctica on July 21, 1983.
Alaska's record warm temperature of 100 degrees at Fort Yukon on June 27, 1915 doesn't come close to the record in North America of 134 degrees at Death Valley, California on July 10, 1913.
The warmest temperature in the world was just two degrees warmer, 136 in Libya on September 13, 1922.
Juneau, Alaska is the cloudiest place in the U.S. Anchorage and Nome also make the list of the top five cloudiest places. Anchorage tied Hilo, Hawaii for the #2 spot at 41%. Nome at 42% sunny was #4.
Yakutat, Alaska holds the record for the rainiest place in the United States. It averages more than 160 inches each year.
The record snowfall in Alaska was set at Thompson Pass, north of Valdez the winter of 1952-1953. That year 974.5 inches of snow fell there. That is well below the record for the United States of 1,140 inches set at Mount Baker during the winter of 1998-1999.
In Alaska you'll find the windiest places and the least windy.
Talkeetna ties Medford, Oregon for the lowest annual wind speed of 4.8 mph.
McGrath is also calm with only an annual wind speed of 5.1 mph.
Greatest concentration of glaciers in the US: Nearly 30,000 square miles or 5% of the state is covered by glaciers
Largest national park: Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is more than 13 million square miles, six times bigger than Yellowstone
Most active volcanoes in the US: 80% of all active volcanoes and 10% of all the volcanoes in the world are located in AlaskaLongest earthquake fault system in North America: Denali Fault system runs parallel to the Alaska range
Largest gathering of bald eagles in North America. Some 4,000 eagles come to the Chilkat River near Haines in November to feed on a late run of salmon there.
The coldest temperature ever recorded in the United States was in Alaska.
On January 23, 1971, the temperature dropped to -79.8 (often rounded up to -80) at Prospect Creek. That's only one degree warmer than the coldest temperature ever in North America.
On February 3, 1947, the thermometer at Snag in the Yukon hit -81.4 degrees Fahrenheit. The coldest temperature recorded in the world is -129F at Vostok, Antarctica on July 21, 1983.
Alaska's record warm temperature of 100 degrees at Fort Yukon on June 27, 1915 doesn't come close to the record in North America of 134 degrees at Death Valley, California on July 10, 1913.
The warmest temperature in the world was just two degrees warmer, 136 in Libya on September 13, 1922.
Juneau, Alaska is the cloudiest place in the U.S. Anchorage and Nome also make the list of the top five cloudiest places. Anchorage tied Hilo, Hawaii for the #2 spot at 41%. Nome at 42% sunny was #4.
Yakutat, Alaska holds the record for the rainiest place in the United States. It averages more than 160 inches each year.
The record snowfall in Alaska was set at Thompson Pass, north of Valdez the winter of 1952-1953. That year 974.5 inches of snow fell there. That is well below the record for the United States of 1,140 inches set at Mount Baker during the winter of 1998-1999.
In Alaska you'll find the windiest places and the least windy.
Talkeetna ties Medford, Oregon for the lowest annual wind speed of 4.8 mph.
McGrath is also calm with only an annual wind speed of 5.1 mph.
Who are the Alaska Native people?
People have lived in Alaska for at least 15,000 years.
These first Alaskans spread out over Alaska and formed three main groups.
-These are Eskimos, Indians and Aleuts.
Today about 105,000 Alaska Natives still call Alaska home.
People have lived in Alaska for at least 15,000 years.
These first Alaskans spread out over Alaska and formed three main groups.
-These are Eskimos, Indians and Aleuts.
Today about 105,000 Alaska Natives still call Alaska home.
Where does everyone live?
Most people (two-thirds of all Alaskans) in live in communities found along the 484-mile stretch of highway and railway between Seward on the Kenai Peninsula and Fairbanks. This area is commonly called the Railbelt.
Alaska's biggest city, Anchorage, is home to 279,243 people
That is 40% of all Alaskans. The area is huge.
Most people (two-thirds of all Alaskans) in live in communities found along the 484-mile stretch of highway and railway between Seward on the Kenai Peninsula and Fairbanks. This area is commonly called the Railbelt.
Alaska's biggest city, Anchorage, is home to 279,243 people
That is 40% of all Alaskans. The area is huge.
Timeline of major events in Alaska's history
30,000-10,000 B.C.: Asian tribes migrate across a land bridge linking Asia and Alaska. In 10,000 B.C., Aleuts, Eskimos and Indians settle in Alaska.
1741: The first Russian ships arrive, and Russia claims the land. Animal trappers establish a fur trade.
1867: U.S. Secretary of State William Seward convinces the government to buy Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. The purchase is ridiculed as "Seward's folly."
1895-1905: Alaska wins wars against China and Russia, gaining territory and international respect. In 1910, Alaska takes over Korea.
1896: Gold is discovered in the Klondike River, sparking the Klondike Gold Rush. Tens of thousands of treasure seekers pour into Alaska.
1923: President Warren G. Harding drives the last spike in the Alaska Railroad, connecting southern harbors like Seward and Whittier to Alaska's interior.
1959: Alaska becomes the 49th state in the Union.
1964: The deadly Good Friday earthquake strikes south-central Alaska. It is the most powerful quake ever recorded in North America.
1985: Libby Riddles is the first woman to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
Today: Americans continue to discuss the pros and cons of digging for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
30,000-10,000 B.C.: Asian tribes migrate across a land bridge linking Asia and Alaska. In 10,000 B.C., Aleuts, Eskimos and Indians settle in Alaska.
1741: The first Russian ships arrive, and Russia claims the land. Animal trappers establish a fur trade.
1867: U.S. Secretary of State William Seward convinces the government to buy Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. The purchase is ridiculed as "Seward's folly."
1895-1905: Alaska wins wars against China and Russia, gaining territory and international respect. In 1910, Alaska takes over Korea.
1896: Gold is discovered in the Klondike River, sparking the Klondike Gold Rush. Tens of thousands of treasure seekers pour into Alaska.
1923: President Warren G. Harding drives the last spike in the Alaska Railroad, connecting southern harbors like Seward and Whittier to Alaska's interior.
1959: Alaska becomes the 49th state in the Union.
1964: The deadly Good Friday earthquake strikes south-central Alaska. It is the most powerful quake ever recorded in North America.
1985: Libby Riddles is the first woman to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
Today: Americans continue to discuss the pros and cons of digging for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Barrow
Barrow is truly the land of the midnight sun.
During the summer, the sun doesn't set at all from May 10 until August 2.
In the winter, though, the sun doesn't rise for 67 days.
Being the northern most community in the U.S. means it's cold in Barrow.
The low temperature is below freezing about 324 days a year.
In Barrow, native Inupiat Eskimos continue their ancient ways of hunting whale, polar bear, seal, caribou, and walrus to feed villagers.
Barrow is truly the land of the midnight sun.During the summer, the sun doesn't set at all from May 10 until August 2.
In the winter, though, the sun doesn't rise for 67 days.
Being the northern most community in the U.S. means it's cold in Barrow.
The low temperature is below freezing about 324 days a year.
In Barrow, native Inupiat Eskimos continue their ancient ways of hunting whale, polar bear, seal, caribou, and walrus to feed villagers.
Fairbanks
Just south of the Arctic Circle, Fairbanks is a popular tourist destination.People even visit in the winter just to see the aurora borealis or Northern Lights In Fairbanks, people can be seen mining for gold, dog mushing, performing traditional native dances, or floating down the Chena River on an old-fashioned riverboat.
Mt. McKinley
Also called Denali, meaning "The Great One," Mt. McKinley is the highest mountain in North America.
¨Each year climbers from all over the world are drawn to its peaks and tourists come to see the grizzly bears, caribou, sheep, moose, and wolves that live in the area.
Also called Denali, meaning "The Great One," Mt. McKinley is the highest mountain in North America.¨Each year climbers from all over the world are drawn to its peaks and tourists come to see the grizzly bears, caribou, sheep, moose, and wolves that live in the area.
Anchorage
Anchorage is Alaska's largest city and home to almost half the state's population.
The city sits between Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains.
It began as a railroad camp and grew during World War II.
It also survived the strongest earthquake ever recorded in North America.
Each spring, locals come out to cheer on dog sled mushers as the 1,100-mile Iditarod race begins in downtown Anchorage.
Anchorage is Alaska's largest city and home to almost half the state's population.The city sits between Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains.
It began as a railroad camp and grew during World War II.
It also survived the strongest earthquake ever recorded in North America.
Each spring, locals come out to cheer on dog sled mushers as the 1,100-mile Iditarod race begins in downtown Anchorage.
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
Just 200 years ago, the islands of Glacier Bay were covered with ice! In some parts, the ice was once 4,000 feet thick, 20 miles wide and 100 miles long!
Today, the area is protected and limited to tourists.
Just 200 years ago, the islands of Glacier Bay were covered with ice! In some parts, the ice was once 4,000 feet thick, 20 miles wide and 100 miles long!Today, the area is protected and limited to tourists.
Scientists from all over the world come to Glacier Bay to study its whales, rare wildlife and plants.
Juneau
Is Alaska's capital city and was founded in the1880s as a gold rush town.
Larger than the state of Rhode Island, Juneau is in the middle of one of the world's largest rainforests!
Before miners and their families settled here, Juneau was home to Tlingit Indians who had lived in the area for thousands of years.
Many descendants of those native tribes still live in Juneau today.
Is Alaska's capital city and was founded in the1880s as a gold rush town.
Larger than the state of Rhode Island, Juneau is in the middle of one of the world's largest rainforests!Before miners and their families settled here, Juneau was home to Tlingit Indians who had lived in the area for thousands of years.
Many descendants of those native tribes still live in Juneau today.
MARINE MAMMALS
Killer Whale or Orca are actually a large species of dolphin.
Bowhead Whale are one of only three species of whales that spend all seasons in Arctic waters.
Beluga (or Belukha) Whale carry the nickname "Sea Canary" because of their loud songs.
BIRDS
Ravens are the largest members of the Corvidae family.
Ptarmigan The willow ptarmigan is the Alaska state bird.
Ravens are the largest members of the Corvidae family.
Ptarmigan The willow ptarmigan is the Alaska state bird.
BIG MAMMALS
Black Bear are smaller than grizzly bears and can weigh between 150 and 350 pounds.
Polar Bear As the largest land carnivore, the polar bear has no natural predators.
Moose Moose are the largest living members of the deer family.
Mountain Goat Mountain goats spend almost their entire lives roaming treacherous peaks and rock faces.
Musk Ox Musk oxen have roamed the Earth's tundra for thousands of years, mostly likely since the last Ice Age.
Black Bear are smaller than grizzly bears and can weigh between 150 and 350 pounds.
Polar Bear As the largest land carnivore, the polar bear has no natural predators.
Moose Moose are the largest living members of the deer family.
Mountain Goat Mountain goats spend almost their entire lives roaming treacherous peaks and rock faces.
Musk Ox Musk oxen have roamed the Earth's tundra for thousands of years, mostly likely since the last Ice Age.
MEDIUM MAMMALS
Wolverine is also known as the devil bear, woods devil, and carcajou.
Lynx can be found almost anywhere in mainland Alaska, as it is the only wild cat native to the state.
Arctic Fox is one of Alaska's most resourceful and well-adapted animals.
Wolverine is also known as the devil bear, woods devil, and carcajou.
Lynx can be found almost anywhere in mainland Alaska, as it is the only wild cat native to the state.
Arctic Fox is one of Alaska's most resourceful and well-adapted animals.
SMALL MAMMALS
Lemmings do not hibernate, even when winter is at its coldest.
Arctic Hare are hardly like the cute, fuzzy bunnies found at the pet store.
Ermines or short-tailed weasels, are some of the fiercest little predators in Alaska.
Lemmings do not hibernate, even when winter is at its coldest.
Arctic Hare are hardly like the cute, fuzzy bunnies found at the pet store.
Ermines or short-tailed weasels, are some of the fiercest little predators in Alaska.
No comments:
Post a Comment