The largest state in the US is embodied by misconceptions. Alaska became the 49th state in the US on January 3, 1959. It was purchased by the Secretary of State William Seward in 1867 for a measly 7.2 million dollars, which equates to only two cents per acre. It took almost 100 years after its purchase to become added as a state. There are a lot of interesting facts and notable history wrapped up in this previous Russian owned land. This misunderstood land is not just snow, ice and extreme cold temperatures; there is so much more and learning just a little bit of Alaskan history can tame misconceptions.
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.
The presence of disasters seem to loom in the history of this land; however, there are good things that have happened to the last frontier and land of the midnight sun. For instance, the outbreak of diphtheria inspired the Iditarod Sled Dog races that occur each year in March. There is also a race that follows the exact same route taken by the sled teams in 1925 from Nenana to Nome in order to bring serum to treat the infected, this race is called the Serum run 25 Sled Dog race. These amazing fearless animals have brought about recognition for bravery, endurance and dedication and made dogs such as Balto famous.
Wildlife abounds in Alaska, home to the three United State bears, it is the only place where all three bears can be found. The polar bear is the most noted bear in the group. There are also bugs such as mosquitoes but you do not have to worry because these pest do not carry or transmit any diseased. The aborigines and animals cohabitate the lands and have found a balance that works for everyone and everything involved.
Defined by snow and ice capped peaks, Alaska is home to seventeen out of the twenty highest peaks in the United States with Mt McKinney being the highest in North America. Home to the Mt Spurr volcano, which is the most active eastern volcano and part of a stratovolcano. In 1992 Mt Spurr erupted three different times and in 2009 Mt Redoubt, another volcano, erupted five times.
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.
One of the most spectacular and amazing occurrences is the light shows known as aurora borealis and the northern lights. These lights are everywhere according to scientists; however, they are very prominent and noticeable in Alaska. No matter if you are a native or a visitor this spectacular show will amaze anyone who watches.
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.
The presence of disasters seem to loom in the history of this land; however, there are good things that have happened to the last frontier and land of the midnight sun. For instance, the outbreak of diphtheria inspired the Iditarod Sled Dog races that occur each year in March. There is also a race that follows the exact same route taken by the sled teams in 1925 from Nenana to Nome in order to bring serum to treat the infected, this race is called the Serum run 25 Sled Dog race. These amazing fearless animals have brought about recognition for bravery, endurance and dedication and made dogs such as Balto famous.
Wildlife abounds in Alaska, home to the three United State bears, it is the only place where all three bears can be found. The polar bear is the most noted bear in the group. There are also bugs such as mosquitoes but you do not have to worry because these pest do not carry or transmit any diseased. The aborigines and animals cohabitate the lands and have found a balance that works for everyone and everything involved.
Defined by snow and ice capped peaks, Alaska is home to seventeen out of the twenty highest peaks in the United States with Mt McKinney being the highest in North America. Home to the Mt Spurr volcano, which is the most active eastern volcano and part of a stratovolcano. In 1992 Mt Spurr erupted three different times and in 2009 Mt Redoubt, another volcano, erupted five times.
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.
One of the most spectacular and amazing occurrences is the light shows known as aurora borealis and the northern lights. These lights are everywhere according to scientists; however, they are very prominent and noticeable in Alaska. No matter if you are a native or a visitor this spectacular show will amaze anyone who watches.
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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