Alaska was the forty ninth state and is also the largest state in the United States. Purchased from Russia by William Seward, Secretary of State in 1867, he paid only 7.2 million dollars for the land, which came out roughly to two cents per acre. The land did not become a state until almost one hundred years after it was purchased. Misunderstood, Alaskan history is often times taken for granted.
There are several very well known disasters that have left their mark in Alaskan history. One of the most publicized and well known is the Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989. This spill consisted of eleven million gallons of crude oil being dumped along fifteen hundred miles of the Alaskan coastline. It took over three years and thousands of people to aide in the cleanup of this disaster. In 1992 there was another oil spill, this time it was BP that ended up spilling two hundred sixty seven thousand gallons of crude oil, nowhere near the magnitude of Exxon Valdez. Another very notable disaster is the earthquake of 1964. It measured 9.2 magnitude, was the largest recorded earthquake in North America and the second largest in the entire world.
Sled dog racing was inspired by the Diptheria outbreak in 1925. Annually in March the well known Iditarod sled dog races takes place along with the Serum Run 25 dog sled race. These dogs get to show just what they are made of as does their owners. They endure brutal conditions, rugged terrain and harsh weather conditions, just like they did in 1925 transporting the serum. The serum run of 1925 is when dogs such as Balto became recognized for their outstanding achievements.
Speaking of animals, Alaska is home to a wide variety of wildlife. It is the only place in the world that has mosquitoes that do not carry disease and it is the only place where you can find all three US bear species. It is most noted for the polar bear, especially since they live and hunt on the ice and have white fur. The natives have learned to live in harmony with the wildlife, especially since over one hundred million acres is protected and set aside for preservation.
Many of the native aborigines live on what is called a homestead. The people that crossed the Bering land bridge from Siberia into Alaska and stayed acquired the lands free and clear and now inhibit them. This is part of the preservation and preserve consisting of over 100 million acres. The lands of this state are protected and will not be able to be over developed and commercialized like so many other states. This allows for the natural beauty and prestige to predominantly exist.
One of the most beautiful and amazing wonders of this land is the aurora borealis and northern lights. This mesmerizing phenomenon originates from the sun and creates a show of lights when particles collide with the atmospheric gases. It also houses seventeen out of twenty of the highest peaks in the United States. The Mt Spurr volcano is one of several snow and ice covered peaks defining a large dissected stratovolcano. Mt. Spurr is the eastern most historically active volcano and erupted three times in 1992. In 2009 the Mt Redoubt volcano erupted five times.
Bright lights and colors always amaze people; therefore, the northern lights and aurora borealis are two of Alaska's most notable features. These amazing lights occur when particles from the sun collide with gases in the atmosphere. Historically this is one of the few places where you can experience this spectacular light show and still be amazed viewing it over and over as the natives do.
There are so many interesting facts and bits of Alaskan history to learn about. Most people do not realize that this land is more than just snow, ice and cold temperatures. It is an amazing preservation home to a multitude of wildlife. Taking time to explore and learn some of the details of the land of the midnight sun may prove to be more entertain than you ever thought it could be and it may be intriguing enough to make you want to visit the last frontier.
There are several very well known disasters that have left their mark in Alaskan history. One of the most publicized and well known is the Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989. This spill consisted of eleven million gallons of crude oil being dumped along fifteen hundred miles of the Alaskan coastline. It took over three years and thousands of people to aide in the cleanup of this disaster. In 1992 there was another oil spill, this time it was BP that ended up spilling two hundred sixty seven thousand gallons of crude oil, nowhere near the magnitude of Exxon Valdez. Another very notable disaster is the earthquake of 1964. It measured 9.2 magnitude, was the largest recorded earthquake in North America and the second largest in the entire world.
Sled dog racing was inspired by the Diptheria outbreak in 1925. Annually in March the well known Iditarod sled dog races takes place along with the Serum Run 25 dog sled race. These dogs get to show just what they are made of as does their owners. They endure brutal conditions, rugged terrain and harsh weather conditions, just like they did in 1925 transporting the serum. The serum run of 1925 is when dogs such as Balto became recognized for their outstanding achievements.
Speaking of animals, Alaska is home to a wide variety of wildlife. It is the only place in the world that has mosquitoes that do not carry disease and it is the only place where you can find all three US bear species. It is most noted for the polar bear, especially since they live and hunt on the ice and have white fur. The natives have learned to live in harmony with the wildlife, especially since over one hundred million acres is protected and set aside for preservation.
Many of the native aborigines live on what is called a homestead. The people that crossed the Bering land bridge from Siberia into Alaska and stayed acquired the lands free and clear and now inhibit them. This is part of the preservation and preserve consisting of over 100 million acres. The lands of this state are protected and will not be able to be over developed and commercialized like so many other states. This allows for the natural beauty and prestige to predominantly exist.
One of the most beautiful and amazing wonders of this land is the aurora borealis and northern lights. This mesmerizing phenomenon originates from the sun and creates a show of lights when particles collide with the atmospheric gases. It also houses seventeen out of twenty of the highest peaks in the United States. The Mt Spurr volcano is one of several snow and ice covered peaks defining a large dissected stratovolcano. Mt. Spurr is the eastern most historically active volcano and erupted three times in 1992. In 2009 the Mt Redoubt volcano erupted five times.
Bright lights and colors always amaze people; therefore, the northern lights and aurora borealis are two of Alaska's most notable features. These amazing lights occur when particles from the sun collide with gases in the atmosphere. Historically this is one of the few places where you can experience this spectacular light show and still be amazed viewing it over and over as the natives do.
There are so many interesting facts and bits of Alaskan history to learn about. Most people do not realize that this land is more than just snow, ice and cold temperatures. It is an amazing preservation home to a multitude of wildlife. Taking time to explore and learn some of the details of the land of the midnight sun may prove to be more entertain than you ever thought it could be and it may be intriguing enough to make you want to visit the last frontier.
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