Common Alaska Questions

It is said that Alaska is home to the last wild frontier of the wilderness. It is not any wonder. It is the northern most state in the United States of America. Home to a wide diversity of wildlife and a climate that is comprised of six months of light and six months of darkness, Alaska is the final frontier of the wilderness.

Those who call Alaska their home must be a special hearty breed for it is not a forgiving climate for those who make mistakes. Bears are just some of what the wilds dish out daily to inhabitants and visitors to this great landscape. Even more fantastic than the wildlife and the wilderness is the rich and diverse history that Alaska offers. In this article we will address some of the questions you may have regarding this great state.

Where is Alaska located?

Alaska is located in the Northwest corner of North America. It has more land mass than any other state, in fact, if you combined Texas, California and Montana you would still have more land mass in Alaska. Alaska is one of only two states not joined with the rest of the 48 states on the North American continent. It is bordered by Canada and is 500 miles from the border of Washington State.

What is the history of Alaska?

Alaska's story is fantastic and is detailed. It was originally discovered by the Russian explorer Vitus Bering in 1741. But it was not until 1784 that the first settlement was established. It was not a profitable venture on the part of the Russians but it proved so for the Americans when U.S. Secretary of State, William H. Seward, purchased Alaska for 7.2 million dollars. That is 2 cents an acre. A phenomenal deal, especially considering that gold was found in the Yukon and thousands of settlers eagerly made their way during the gold rushes of 1890.

When was Alaska added to the United States?

Alaska is the 49th state, being admitted on January 3rd, 1959. Up until that time it was just considered a territory along with Hawaii. Later in 1968 more than gold became the chief export. Oil was found and led to the creation of the Trans-Alaska pipeline.

Who was Alaska purchased from and when?

Alaska was purchased from the Russians by U.S. Secretary of state William Seward in 1867. The United States paid 7.2 million dollars or roughly 2 cents an acre for this bountiful, wild frontier. This was a great bargain especially when later gold and oil were found in this natural setting. It had not been much of a go for the Russians but for the Americans purchasing Alaska was a great boon to the economy.

What are the demographics of Alaska?

As of 2006 Alaska has a population of roughly 670,053 people. It is the 48th most populated state with it being the least densely populated. There is 1.1 individuals per square mile. The race of Alaskans varies from a majority being Caucasian, followed by 15.6% being Native American or an Alaska Native. It is in the northern and western areas of Alaska that the Alaska Natives that are primarily settlers of and there are numerous populations in the southeast. You also have to consider the amount of other ancestries such as German, Irish, Norwegian and the Aleutians.

What is it like living in Alaska?

Alaska is a beautiful frontier. Its long coastline means plenty of fishing opportunities and the wilds of the state are perfect for those who want to get back to nature. But it takes someone special to be able to handle this last wild frontier. With six months of winter darkness and six months of light during summer it can play havoc with the senses. Residents have to be prepared for Arctic temperatures during the winter months and living in isolation during these times. It is not an environment for everyone.

Residents must also deal with the high price of goods. It has long been much more expensive to live in Alaska than it has anywhere else. Why is this? It is due to the fact that most products have to be trucked or shipped into the state. Some cities have enjoyed a decline in the prices for consumer goods but rural residents still have to deal with the high prices.

Is it true that some of the world's deadliest jobs are found in Alaska?

If you have watched The Discovery Channel you have seen the ad's for 'The Deadliest Catch' which features Alaskan crab fisherman trying to battle it out on the Bering Sea for the lucrative crab business. While it does pay exceedingly well, it is back breaking labor that comes with a high price. Most seasons of crab fishing experience loss of lives due to the volatile nature of the Bering Sea.

Another dangerous industry is oil drilling. Most of the most profitable oil drilling rigs is situated in the northern part of Alaska. Freezing temperatures during the winter can make the operation of the drilling dangerous.

What is the main export of Alaska?

The main export of Alaska is oil and timber along with fish. Half of the fish caught in the Western part of the U.S. comes from the Bering Sea. That is a lot of fish. Bristol Bay is home to the largest Sockeye Salmon fishery in the United States. Another main gross product of Alaska is tourism. Tourists flock to the beauty of Alaska's rugged coast and tundra just to see the wildlife.

What things can I do while on vacation in Alaska?

There are tons of things to do while vacationing in this wild frontier. You can take a camping trip in any number of the parks scattered throughout Alaska. While you are there you will definitely want to take in the scenery of the glaciers. There are plenty of cruises to take that will allow you to see whales in their natural habitat along with some of the other wildlife in the area. Brown bears, Kodiak bears and more are awaiting your vacation to Alaska.

How do most people get around in Alaska?

Did you know that there are more people that own planes in Alaska than any other place? This is because many of the towns and outlying areas are remote and do not have highway systems in order to travel by car. There are some highway systems in the more populated area but even the capital is inaccessible by car unless you use a car ferrying carrier.

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