Can you imagine a land where the sun shines all night in summer? If you can’t, then let us introduce a place called “Alaska”, where the Northern Lights dance in the winter sky. Alaska is the biggest state in the United States of America and it contains beautiful and unique wildlife and culture. Keep on reading if you want to learn different and interesting facts about Alaska for kids.
Where Is Alaska?
Alaska is a state in the United States of America, which is on the northwestern corner of North America. Alaska shares borders with:
- Canada to the east
- Arctic Ocean to the north
- Pacific Ocean to the south and west.
Alaska’s Weather & Seasons
Did you know Alaska weather and daylight varies by region and season? Summers are considered to be mild and cool while winters are icy and cold!
Animals of Alaska
Here is a list of animals that live in Alaska:
- Land Animals
- Moose
- Grizzly bears
- Caribou
- Wolves
- Foxes, etc.
- Sea Life
- Whales (humpback, orca)
- Sea otters
- Seals
- Salmon and halibut
- Birds of Alaska
- Bald eagle
- Puffins and migratory birds
People & Cultures of Alaska
Alaska is a diverse state which is home to many Indigenous groups which have a unique history and beautiful traditions. The major groups that have inhabited Alaska for thousands of years are:
- Inupiat
- Yup’ik
- Tlingit
- Haida
- Aleut
These very important groups have adapted to the tough life in Alaska and their traditions are an integral part of their life. Their traditions include:
- In various indigenous communities storytelling is an integral part of the community and cultural transmission. Storytelling enables teachings to be passed down and history to be remembered for generations to come.
- Totem poles are carved by the Tlingit and Haida peoples; this form of art represents family histories and spiritual beliefs to the ancestors.
Modern Alaska
The modern life of Alaska is divided between these cities:
- The largest city of Alaska, Anchorage
- The capital city of Alaska, Juneau
- A city with significant interior community, Fairbanks
These major cities show the coexistence of Indigenous traditions with modern infrastructure which creates a unique cultural landscape where ancient practices and modern life blend together. The state of Alaska relies on these industries:
- The fishing industry is very important and this has been a custom passed through indigenous tribes.
- The oil industry is a major economic driver for Alaska and is a new development for the area.
- Tourism and nature is also a huge industry in Alaska as the natural beauty of this place brings many tourists every year and helps locals sustain their lifestyles.
A Brief History of Alaska
Alaska’s history is rich and unique. The indigenous people migrated to Alaska thousands of years ago and established complex societies in the land. European contact was made with Alaska in the 18th century when Russian traders arrived, but the area was sold by Russian to the United States in 1867. Alaska remained a territory for a long time till it officially became the 49th state of the USA in 1959!
Natural Wonders of Alaska
There are many natural wonders in Alaska, for example:
- The Aurora Borealis (The Northern Lights): Specifically during winter months the night sky of Alaska is streaked with beautiful colours of the Northern Lights.
- Denali Mountain & Glaciers: Denali Mountain is the tallest mountain in North America, standing at 20,310 feet. The serene view is covered in glaciers
- National Parks: The largest national park in the United States is Wrangell–St. Elias (found in Alaska) which encompasses 13 million acres of wilderness. The Kenai Fjords and Katmai national park has unique features like volcanoes and brown bear sitting opportunities!
Facts and Records of Alaska
- Did you know Alaska has the longest coastline in the United States ( of 33,000 miles)?
- Alaska has the smallest population density of any state
- The largest salmon was caught in Alaska and weighed ~97.5 lbs!
- The Iditarod is an annual sled dog race held in Alaska
- There are more than 3,000 rivers and over 3 million lakes in Alaska!
- There are more than 70 potentially active volcanoes in Alaska
- Did you know Alaska is bigger than Texas, California, and Montana?
- Alaska has over 100,000 glaciers.
Visiting or Exploring Alaska
Can you think of how people travel through the terrain of Alaska? People have adapted various ways to travel through Alaska as many areas are not easily accessible via roads or planes. Some areas can only be accessed through boats and ferries, while some require bush planes etc. Towns like Juneau and Barrow are not accessible via roads but tourists and people access the area through boats, etc. which makes cruise tourism a very prominent part of Alaska.
Conclusion
Can you now imagine the beautiful and vast land of Alaska? The place contains brown bears, the midnight sun and adventures in every corner. Alaska is the biggest state in the United States and it is full of wonderful wildlife and natural wonders.