Alaska(USA)

Location

Situated at the northwest corner of the North American continent, Alaska is separated by Canadian territory from the coterminous 48 states. Alaska is the largest of the 50 states, with a total area of 1,530,699 sq km.

Geography

Most of Alaska is surrounded by water. To the north is the Arctic Ocean, (the Beaufort Sea and the Chukchi Sea). To the south is the Gulf of Alaska and Pacific Ocean. To the west is the Bering Sea. Alaska's land borders Canada to the east and south.

Capital

Juneau

Population

626,930

Climatic zones

The geographical features already mentioned have a significant effect on Alaska’s climate, which falls into five major zones. Reference is made to the section of maps at the back, specifically to the map showing geographical subdivisions of Alaska. The climate zones are (1) a maritime Zone which includes southeastern Alaska, the south coast, and southwestern islands; (2) a maritime continental zone which includes the western portions of Bristol Bay and west-central zones. In this zone the summer temperatures are moderated by the open waters of the Bering Sea, but winter temperatures are more continental in nature due to the presence of sea ice during the coldest months of the year; (3) a transition zone between the maritime and continental zones in the southern portion of the Copper River zone, the Cook Inlet zone, and the northern extremes of the south coast zone; (4) a continental zone make up of the remainders of the Copper River and west-central divisions, and the interior basin; and (5) an artic zone, shown on the map as the arctic drainage division.

Language

English

Monetary Unit

US Dollar

Largest Cities

St.John's

Places to Visit

Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks

Principal rivers

Yukon River (Longest river in Alaska; 1,875 miles), Kuskokwim River, Colville River, Copper River (Oxus)

Air Ports

Anchorage International Airport, Anchorage Merrill Field Airport.