Higher Education  

There are six accredited colleges and universities, and six community colleges in Alaska. Annually, more than 30,000 students enroll in Alaska's public university system. The largest public institution is the University of Alaska, which is divided into three universities: the University of Alaska-Anchorage; the University of Alaska-Fairbanks; and the University of Alaska-Southeast with campuses in Sitka and Ketchikan. Private institutions include Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage, Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka, and Alaska Bible College in Glennallen.

Geography

Alaska is in the northwest corner of North America. Covering 591,004 square miles, it is the largest of the fifty states. Isolated from the continental United States, Alaska is bordered on the east and the south by Canada. The state faces bodies of water on three sides: the Arctic Ocean, to the north; the Bering Sea and the Bering Strait, to the west; and the Gulf of Alaska and the Pacific Ocean, to the south. Major mountain ranges in the state include the Aleutian Range, the Alaska Range, the Coast Mountains, and the Brooks Range. Mount McKinley, the state's highest point, is also the tallest peak in North America. Alaska has approximately 100,000 glaciers, 1800 islands, three million lakes, and 3000 rivers. The Yukon is Alaska's longest river, flowing 1970 miles to the Bering Sea.

Alaska is one of the least-populated states, with only around 550,000 residents. Its major cities are Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau (state capital), Sitka, Ketchikan, and Kodiak.

Climate

Owing to the diversity of Alaska's geographical features, there are a variety of climates throughout the state. Southern and southeastern Alaska have milder temperatures than the interior and the north. The average January temperature on the southern coast is about -2 C and the average temperature in July is about 13 C. The interior of the state experiences the greatest extremes in temperature, averaging -23 C in January and 15 C in July. In the northern Arctic region, the average temperature ranges from -24 C in January to 8 C in July. Rainfall is heaviest in the southeast, where some places receive an average of more than 508 cm of rain a year. The southern coast may receive from 66 cm to 737 cm of snow each year.

Cultural Profile

Alaska's performing arts encompass both Western and native music, theater, and dance. Several Alaskan cities support symphony orchestras that perform classic music. Local drama groups present the history, myth, and song of indigenous tribes. Native dances are a major attraction at the Festival of Native Arts in Fairbanks. Eskimos present traditional dances at the Living Museum of the Arctic, in Kotzebue. One of the state's major museums is the Alaska State Museum in Juneau, featuring exhibits on natural history, native Alaskan artifacts, mining history, and modern Alaskan art.

Recreation

Sled-dog racing is one of Alaska's most unusual sports. Snow-mobiling is another unusual but popular sport in Alaska. The state offers many opportunities for hiking, canoeing, fishing, mountain climbing, bird-watching, and wildlife watching. There are numerous national parklands in Alaska, including Denali National Park, Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Glacier Bay National Park, Katmai National Park, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, and Sitka National Historical Park.

Interesting Facts

In 1867, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million in gold. The countries of England, France, Germany, and Switzerland could fit together inside of Alaska. Japan briefly occupied the Alaskan islands of Attu and Kiska during World War II. In 1977, the Alaska oil pipeline was completed.

 

General Information State Bird: Willow Ptarmigan State Flower: Forget-Me-Not State Tree: Sitka Spruce State Capitol: Juneau Area: 1,527,464 sq. km Population: 550,000 Elevation: 6,194m-0m Major Cities: Anchorage/Barrow Industry Information Agriculture Industry: Milk, Hay and Potatoes Fishing Industry: Salmon, King Crabs, Halibut, Shrimps and Snow Crab Mining Industry: Petroleum, Natural Gas, Stone, Gold, Sand and Gravel Manufacturing Industry: Lumber and Wood Products, Food Products, Printed Materials and Stone Products Temperature Range Spring Temperature (range): -3C / 7C (Anchorage) Summer Temperature (range): 9C / 18C (Anchorage) Fall Temperature (range): -2C / 6C (Anchorage) Winter Temperature (range): -14C / -7C (Anchorage)