THE STATE OF ALASKA, U.S.A

Alaska became the 49th State in 1959 and is the largest state by area of the United States, comprising 586,400 square miles. It covers the northwest of North America, with Canada lying between it and the rest of the States. It includes the Aleutian Islands and is separated from Russia by a mere 53 miles across the Bering Strait. Tsarist Russia sold this territory in 1867 that was previously known as Russian America.


Anchorage

The Bering Strait (discovered by Vitus Bering in 1728) belongs to both Russia and the United States. The two Diomede Islands mark the boundary, Little Diomede belonging to the United States and Big Diomede to Russia.

Tourism is a major industry. The attraction of preserved gold rush towns where saloon bars are run by folk wearing authentic 1880’s costumes and photographers to record your visit are a must to visit. Mount McKinley in Denali National Park along with other national parks and wildlife refuges tempt visitors to view a profusion of wild flowers, golden eagles, moose, caribou and bears in glorious natural habitats. Sightings of humpback whales and porpoises are also a great lure. From May to September cruise shops call regularly at Ketchikan, Juneau, Anchorage, Seward and Valdez, and tours from the ships are extremely popular with passengers who want to see as much of Alaska as possible. Anchorage is the largest city of Alaska, a business rather than wildlife centre.

Alaska is not without its disasters – there were 180 people killed by the 1964 tsunami caused by the Pacific plate slipping under the North American plate, resulting in enormous damage to Anchorage. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions regularly occur and in 1989 Prince William Sound was the site of the gigantic oil spill from the tanker Exxon Valdez. Global climate change here is impacting on flora and fauna especially in the Arctic region.


Prince William Sound

The Yukon River is the boundary with Canada’s Yukon Territory at Whitehorse and the Mackenzie Mountains at the top end of the Rocky Mountain Range mark the frontier with North West Territories.

Juneau on the Gastineau Peninsula is the capital of Alaska, although being so remote it is frequently mooted that somewhere more central should be chosen. This was a gold rush town in the 1880s and mines continued to yield gold until the 1940s. It is now a port and fishing centre, with fishing being a major industry. A small amount of gold is still mined, as are oil, coal, lead, tin, iron, silver and natural gas.


Creek Street, Ketchikan

At Ketchikan, along the Inside Passage, you can walk along Creek Street, now a boardwalk fronting restored old pioneer houses and visit the South East Alaska Discovery Centre. At Juneau take the tram up Mount Roberts, sample the wares at the Red Dog Saloon and take in the panoramic view. Your ship will anchor in Prince William Sound at picturesque Valdez where you can watch icebergs calving.


Skagway

Skagway is where the miners first arrived to find they could only reach the Klondike by hiking over White Pass to the Yukon River. A tourist round trip is offered today on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad. The whole of downtown Skagway is designated as the Klondike National Historic Park and makes fascinating viewing.


Sailing from Seward

From the fishing port of Seward you can see glaciers, the most spectacular being Aialik. Alaska Sea Life Centre is here with puffins, sea lions, seals and porpoises drawing the crowds. Fairbanks is where the northern lights are at their most visible and its Pioneer Park holds reconstructed mining homes and memorabilia. The old mining town of McCarthy can be visited in Wrangell-St Elias National Park.

Getting there

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is the main airport serving Alaska but there are many more smaller airports within the state.