The geography of Alaska is world renowned. Its towering glaciers, majestic forests, epic mountain ranges and array of wildlife are raved about by people who have witnessed them first hand, yet even those reliant on television documentaries and photographs to appreciate its beauty are equally captivated. YouTube clips of the famed light display of the Aurora Borealis notch up thousands of hits, whilst is the number of tourists visiting the area is now in excess of 1.5 million people per year. Yes, it is clear that Alaska really is something special. Indeed, with its 47,000 miles of stunning coastline, it is easy to see why cruises and boat tours of the area are so popular. Alaska geography also includes a great many lakes and rivers. Notably, the Yukon River (which stretches for an impressive 1,875 miles through Alaska) is the third longest river in America.
But how about inland? Well, the largest city in Alaska is Anchorage, which is home to over half of the states entire population. The second and third largest cities are Fairbanks and Juneau, respectively, the latter having the honour of being the state capital. There are various other small communities in the surrounding areas too, but the vast majority of the Alaska population inhabit these primary towns.
Alaska might be famed for its glaciers and freezing conditions, but it’s not all about the snow and ice. In fact, the intimidatingly named “Pacific Ring of Fire” includes Alaska in its string of volcanoes that reach from Asia through to North America. This chain of volcanic activity is home to more than 100 volcanoes! The largest eruption of the 20th century happened in 1912 on the Alaska Peninsula, creating what became known as the “Valley of 10,000 Smokes”.
Mountain climbing in Alaska is a popular activity for natives and holiday makers alike; hardly surprisingly, considering the region is home to a massive 39 mountain ranges, which boast 17 of the highest peaks in North America. Mount McKinley, the Brooks Range, the Chugach Range, the St Elias Mountains and the Fairweather Range are all especially noteworthy.
The glaciers are perhaps Alaska’s most famous physical feature. It is hardly surprising, seeing as approximately 5% of the whole of the state surface are covered in glaciers and icefields. It is estimated that there are 100,000 individual glaciers in Alaska and they are easily viewed from many of the main towns, including Anchorage, Juneau and the Matanuska Valley, although there are many tour operators that can take people closer to them via boat.
Specific examples of stunning glaciers include the Harding Ice field, located in the Kenai Fjords National Park. It is an epic 300 square miles in size and can be seen from boat tours from Seward. There is also the Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, located around 50 miles out of Juneau. It is possible to arrange a tour by boat direct from Juneau. The largest glacier however, measuring 1,500 square miles, is the Malaspina Glacier which is located around 50 miles away from Mount St Elias.
The unique Alaska geography and climate means the wildlife that inhabits the area needs to be perfectly adaptable to the often harsh conditions of the area, but it’s not just the obvious polar bears and salmon. As well as the oceanic creatures such as humpback whales, orca, dolphins, seals, sea lions and sea otters, with your feet firmly on dry land hundreds of moose (known in the UK as elk), can be found around the city limits of Anchorage. Interestingly, whilst not generally aggressive to humans moose have attacked more people than bears and wolves combined – thankfully, usually with only minor consequences.
Moose attacks are much more likely to happen when the animals are startled, especially by dogs. With moose living in such close proximity to humans, those that have become used to being fed can become aggressive if the food is subsequently denied. Additionally, males in the mating season and females with young can also become defensive, but on the whole the moose is a gentle, solitary creature that lacks the territorial aggression of many other large mammals. Given the proper respect and treated as the wild animals they are, moose should pose no problem to visitors to the area. However, it is worth noting that with the average male weighing in at a huge 850 to 1580lbs the greatest risk to humans when encountering the moose is through road traffic accidents. Road collisions with moose are typically fatal, with seatbelts and airbags offering no protection.
Hundreds of thousands of caribou (known in the UK as reindeer) are also found in the state, with several herds roaming the land. One herd in particular which has caused controversy in the past is that of the Arctic Slope range, which is believed to have undeveloped oil reserves below it. A further 500,000 caribou can be found on the Seward Peninsula, to the southwest of the state.
Bears are also inhabitants of Alaska and, although much more elusive than moose, there are sometimes reports of sightings (and indeed shootings) of the creatures in the larger cities. It is estimated that today there are around 30,000 grizzlies (also known as the brown bear) in Alaska. Tourists desperate to catch a glance of the fascinating creatures are guided towards the National Parks. Denali National Park and the MacNeil River State Sanctuary are two of the best places for bear spotting, the latter famed for spectacular views of grizzlies fishing for salmon! However, to avoid stress to the animals only a limited number of permits are released each year.
Black bears are about too, with an estimated 100,000 living in Alaska. They are more likely to be found in forest areas, but are also famed for foraging and may be spotted ambling along a beach, or at the town dump! And the difference between the black and grizzly bear? The grizzly has a distinct shoulder hump that the black bear lacks and also is equipped with much larger claws.
The famous bald eagle, which has become synonymous with American patriotism, is also found in Alaska. It is estimated that there are now around 40,000 in the state, with most choosing roosts near to the water for prime fishing opportunities. There is even a festival each November dedicated to the species, but if bird-watching is your thing then you also have another 299 species of bird, including puffins and red kites, to mark off your Alaska checklist!
And whilst we’re making a list, why not try to spot the wonderful clutch of creatures known as the Denali Big Five? The Denali National Park and Preserve provides a perfect home for a range of exciting species and is the ideal place to get up close (perhaps not too close!) to the moose, Dall sheep, caribou, bears and wolves.