What Is Alaska Famous For? 15 Amazing Things That Attracts People To Alaska
Discover Alaska's Untamed Beauty! From towering glaciers to abundant wildlife, explore what is alaska famous for? its rugged landscapes and outdoor adventures.
Sep 06, 202429.8K Shares403.1K Views
You have come to the correct site if you are looking for what Alaska is famous for. Alaska, the largest state in the union, is well-known for its abundant outdoor experiences, untamed beauty of the wilderness, and unique animals. If you haven't been there yet, you really should put Alaska at the top of your list of places to visit!
With around 100,000 glaciers, 34,000 miles of coastline, the midnight sun, and one of the greatest views of the Northern Lights in the world, Alaska is renowned for its breathtaking scenery. And the list of things Alaska is renowned for is endless. Here are the top 20 things Alaska is known for:
Alaska Uncovered - 15 Iconic Features That Define Its Fame
1. The Particular Topography
Alaska is well-known for a few things, including its distinctive terrain! Despite being one of the 50 states of America, British Columbia in Canada truly divides it from the rest of the US mainland. Additionally, Yukon, a part of Canada, borders it to the east!
The fact that the Arctic Circle encloses about a third of Alaska makes its topography even more fascinating. This contributes to Alaska's uniqueness as a tourism destination and explains why so many people include it on their bucket lists.
The longest coastline in the Union is found in this amazing state, which is something else to know. The coastline of Alaska spans more than 66,000 miles, running from the Pacific Ocean in the south to the Arctic Ocean in the north.
2. Magnificent Road Journeys
Road trips are another thing Alaska is famous for! Having your own car is by far the best way to travel around, whether your goal is to explore the highlands or just take in the state's breathtaking coastline.
The most well-known route is the Alaskan Highway, which starts in British Columbia at Dawson Creek and finishes at Delta Junction. With a length of 1,387 miles and a peak elevation of 4,250 feet, it is understandable why this roadway is among the most well-known in the world!
Some fantastic locations for an amazing road trip are:
- The World Highway's Summit
- George Parks Highway
- The Highway of Glaciers
- The Glenn Road
3. Cruises To Alaska
A trip to Alaska wouldn't be complete without taking a cruise! One of the best ways to see this lovely state is on a cruise, whether your goals are to see wildlife, get up close and personal with glaciers, or just take in the amazing landscape.
When it comes to traveling, you have two options: you may either embark on a multi-week vacation or take day cruises. There are a few reliable firms that offer longer cruises, such as Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean,and Celebrity Cruises.
The greatest destinations for day trips include Homer, Juneau, Prince William Sound, and Kenai Fjords National Park. Portage and Ketchikan are two more excellent choices!
4. The Huge Adjacent Forest
Alaska is the biggest state in the union, spanning an enormous 665,000 square miles! You can tell that this state is huge because it would take 2,400 miles to get from the east to the west. Despite Alaska's reputation for vastness, you might be shocked to hear that a sizable portion of the state is made up of undeveloped wilderness.
Alaska's infrastructure and society are relatively separated compared to other U.S. states, which contributes to the abundance of animals found here.
Indeed, Alaska boasts more than 57 million acres of officially recognized wilderness areas, the majority of which are found inside the state's well-protected national parks.
5. The Sun At Midnight
Even though Alaska is well-known for a lot of things, not many people often consider the Midnight Sun! A summertime natural phenomenon that can be seen in places north of the Arctic Circle is the Midnight Sun. Since the sun doesn't seem to set during this time, Alaska receives weeks of nonstop sunshine.
Known as "the Land of the Midnight Sun," Fairbanks is one of the greatest locations to witness this. You can even go to Barrow, the northernmost town in Alaska, if you don't mind going even farther north.
Over 80 days of the midnight sun are experienced in Barrow, which is situated 330 miles north of the Arctic Circle. This is absurd because it means that the sun doesn't set for almost three months after it rises in May!
6. The Largest US City Is There
Alaska is home to the biggest city in the country, which is a fascinating fact! The capital of the state, Juneau, is a vast 3,108 square miles. When visiting Alaska, Juneau is a city you shouldn't miss because of its breathtaking beauty, plethora of wildlife, and adventure.
It's crucial to keep in mind that Juneau is not accessible by car because the state's remaining areas lack roads. It is the only capital city in the United States that is located on land yet is only accessible by boat or airplane.
The Juneau Icefield, the size of Rhode Island, is to blame for this. The city is unreachable by land because of this icefield, which prevents the construction of a road in this region.
7. Adventures Are What Alaska Is Known For
What is Alaska renowned for, then? We've previously covered a few amazing aspects of this state, but one thing you can count on when visiting is an adventure! Alaska has something for everyone, regardless of whether you're an avid thrill-seeker or want a more relaxed vacation!
This state has a ton of thrilling things to offer thrill-seekers, such as ziplining, rafting, flightseeing, ATV trips, and hiking in Denali National Park.There are plenty of other possibilities available for individuals who aren't too enthusiastic to participate in those kinds of activities.
Wildlife cruises are very popular here, and Alaska has several wonderful, moderately strenuous hiking paths, like the amazing Exit Glacier Hike. Whichever your choice, you're about to go on an incredible journey!
8. Alaska Was Purchased From Russia
A lot of people are unaware that Alaska was once purchased from Russia! In 1867, the state remained uncharted territory under the ownership of the world's largest nation.
During his arduous journey from Siberia, the Danish explorer Vitus Bering made the initial discovery of the state of Alaska to the Europeans in 1741. It's astonishing to believe that Russian whalers and fur traders founded the first colony here on Kodiak Island in 1784.
William Seward, the Secretary of State, made arrangements for the state to pay $7,200,000, roughly two cents per acre, to the Russians for the land. Although many people criticized the purchase as "Seward's Folly," Alaska is still the largest state in the union as of right now.
9. The Individuals
The people of Alaska are another well-known feature! Given the length of human history—more than 10,000 years—it should come as no surprise that the people living here are extremely important to the state! Even though Alaska is the largest state in the union, its population is only thought to be around 730,000.
In contrast, Rhode Island has 1.1 million people living there, despite being the smallest state in the union.
Given that a significant portion of Alaska is wilderness, it should come as no surprise that the major cities of Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau are home to more than half of the state's population.
10. The Indigenous People Of Alaska
Alaska, like many other places on earth, boasts a vibrant indigenous culture! There are many ways to learn about Alaskan history and heritage, but no trip to this breathtaking state would be complete without doing so.
The indigenous inhabitants of Alaska, collectively referred to as Alaska Natives, are categorized into five main groups: Aleuts, Southeast Coastal Indians (Tlingit and Haida), Northern Eskimos (Inupiat), Southern Eskimos (Yuit), and Interior Indians (Athabascans).
Although they make up only 15% of the state's population now, native Alaskans are nevertheless very significant to the state's history. There's a lot to learn about with over 300 dialects and 20 distinct cultures, which is all part of the fun!
Learning about Alaskan crafts, taking in totem sculptures, and hearing elders narrate stories are some of the best ways to immerse yourself in Alaskan culture.
11. The Pipeline That Crosses Alaska
While it may not be the most picturesque site to see, the Trans-Alaskan pipeline is crucial to the development of Alaska. This famous pipeline's construction started in 1975 and took almost $8 billion to finish!
There were also about 70,000 construction workers working on the project.Valdez Habor is linked to the oil reserves of Northern Alaska, namely Prudhoe Bay, via the Trans-Alaskan pipeline. This indicates that the oil must traverse a distance of almost 800 miles between them, which is quite remarkable.
The area immediately outside of Fairbanks is the greatest location to see this well-known Alaskan sight. Make sure to visit the pipeline during your vacation as there is a viewpoint nearby!
12. The Rush For Gold
What is the reputation of Alaska? Well, the Klondike Gold Rush Era is what made this lovely state famous. Between 1896 and 1899, around 100,000 individuals flocked to Alaska and the adjacent Canadian territory of Yukon during the Gold Rush. Since then, Alaska has boosted the American economy with goods valued at billions of dollars.
News of the first gold discovery along the Klondike River traveled quickly, drawing people from far and wide to search for their "riches." On the other hand, because the paths to Klondike were not for the faint of heart, many people instead experienced tremendous hardship.
The gold rush communities began to deteriorate after a few years, and some even vanished!
13. The Lakes Of Alaska
Chasing lakes is one of the coolest activities you can do in Alaska! Canada is frequently the first country that springs to mind when one thinks about breathtaking lakes in North America.
But with over 3 million lakes in Alaska, you truly have plenty of options! Each of these lakes has different dimensions and elevations; some are located more than a thousand meters above sea level. Only about 3,000 of these lakes have official names, and many of them are located in the breathtaking national parks of the state.
Lake Clark is one of Alaska's most visited lakes, drawing thousands of tourists there each year! Wonder Lake, Portage Lake, Mendenhall Lake, and Kenai Lake are other lakes you should definitely put on your agenda!
14. The Ice Sheets
If Alaska is recognized for anything, it is for its glaciers! An estimated 27,000 glaciers are thought to exist in Alaska, with 25% of them being found inside national parks in the state.Exit Glacier, Knik Glacier, Matanuska Glacier, and Mendenhall Glacier are a few of the most well-known glaciers in Alaska.
Additionally, you may go on a trip to Prince William Sound, which is home to a limitless number of glaciers! Some of these glaciers are accessible by hiking trails, or at the very least, you can see them from there; other glaciers require flying or boat/kayaking excursions.
Regrettably, these glaciers are melting faster than anywhere else on the globe as a result of climate change. This implies that their size and form are always fluctuating.
15. The Northern Lights
One of the greatest spots on earth to see the Aurora Borealis, as they are more commonly called, is Alaska! The state's location beneath the Auroral Oval and the low precipitation levels are to blame for this. Fairbanks is one of the best locations in Alaska to see the Aurora Borealis.
Here, one can witness the Aurora Borealis for 243 days of the year, with August through April being the peak Aurora season. It is an excellent chance to see the Northern Lights, which are often seen four nights out of five during this period!
Witnessing this awe-inspiring natural phenomenon in Alaska is an experience of a lifetime that you won't soon forget! Just remember to dress in plenty of layers and be ready for late evenings.
FAQ's About What Is Alaska Famous For?
What Distinguishes Alaska Alone?
Alaska is known as "the land of volcanoes" because to the frequency of earthquakes that occur there. Volcanoes in the state number over 130. The most recent eruption occurred within the previous 10,000 years, and 90 of them are thought to be active.
How Is Money Made In Alaska?
The major sector of Alaska's economy is the oil and gas sector. Oil earnings fund the state budget to the tune of around 85 percent. The price of oil around the world affects various areas of the economy, including Alaska's oil industry.
In Alaska, What Is The Most Prevalent Occupation?
In Alaska, the most popular industries for employment include mining, building, fishing, forestry, oil and gas production, transportation, and healthcare. In addition, the hotel, tourist, and retail sectors offer a large number of occupations that focus on providing services.
Conclusion
Alaska is well-known for a variety of reasons, which will enchant you with the last frontier. Alaska is well-known for its enormous wilderness, incredible animals, and breathtaking scenery. In addition to being the largest state in the union and being geographically and historically distinct from the rest of the nation, Alaska is well-known for these other attributes.
Due to Alaska's many attractions, tourists come here from all over the world; in fact, 2.26 million people came here last year alone! It is highly recommended that you visit Alaska and discover for yourself the things the state is famous for. However, be sure to plan and get ready in advance of your trip to Alaska.
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