Alaska – a large territory of the United States with a population of 700 thousand people within a small area. Alaska is often called “the last frontier” or “Seward’s Icebox,” named after Secretary of State William H. Seward, who purchased it from Russia for $7 million in 1867.

Not only is Alaska one of the most sparsely populated states in the country, but it’s also one of the least densely inhabited, with about 1.2 persons per square mile (0.46 per km).

Nowadays, nearly half the population lives in and around Anchorage; another third lives along Cook Inlet and its shores; and a fourth lives along the Kenai Peninsula. The areas outside Seward’s reach are primarily uninhabited.

Alaska is located in North America, northwest of Canada and east of the state of Hawaii. The northernmost part of Alaska borders the Arctic Ocean, while its southern end borders the Pacific Ocean. Its capital, Juneau, is located in the southeast part of Alaska on Gastineau Channel.

Alaska’s History:

According to archaeological evidence, the first people who inhabited Alaska were Paleo-Indians and later Inuit and Yupik peoples who established villages across the state. Then came Russian explorers, whose arrival in North America was preceded by the discovery of Alaska in 1732 by Russian sailor Mikhail Gvozdev.

In 1867, Russia sold Alaska to the United States for $7 million. Nowadays, Alaska is home to native cultures with unique traditions and includes more than 20 distinct aboriginal groups, including Tlingits, Haidas, Tsimshians, Aleuts, Eyaks, and the Alutiiq.

Alaska has also been home to Russian Mennonites since 1886 when nine families (about 50 people) arrived in Belovodsk from Ukraine under the leadership of Claas Epp, Sr. By 1897, there were reportedly 37 villages in Alaska with some 300 men, women, and children.

One of the most popular tourist destinations in Alaska is the Kenai Fjords National Park which provides a great view of marine life. An equally popular destination outside the city limits is Denali National Park, named after Mount McKinley or “the high one” in the language of the local Athabascan people. Within the park, visitors can enjoy views of glaciers and wildlife while hiking the Harding Icefield Trail.

Alaska’s Climate:

The climate of Alaska is arctic to subarctic on most of the mainland, with mild temperatures in the coastal areas due to the influence of the nearby ocean. The Aleutian Islands are one exception to this rule, having a subpolar oceanic climate that covers the Aleutian Islands in the far west.