Article Written By: Sheree Mendoza
Alaska is a huge area. It is also the least populated of all the states. At he last census less than seven hundred thousand people were living here. Most choose to live in or nearby to Anchorage, with nearly half the population being in this area. This is not the capital, however, as that is Juneau. Juneau has a tiny population of under thirty thousand. An Alaska travel guide is a great way to start planning a trip.Alaska is not attached to the rest of the United States as it is separated by Canada. Alaska was bought from the Russian Empire in eighteen sixty seven, but was not declared a state until nineteen fifty nine. Its name dates back to Russian Empire days.The capital city of Juneau is extremely picturesque. It has a lot of very old buildings which date back to its gold rush days in the early nineteenth century. Its unique in that its not connected to the rest of Alaska by road, but has to rely on boats an planes to get people in and out.It has a lot of tourists as its a good place for whale watching. It is possible to see orcas and humpbacked whales from Juneau. It is also excellent for glacier tours. You drive up to one or you can go on a helicopter tour over them, and even land on one.Whale watching is extremely popular as there are orcas and humpbacked whales who pass through the area each summer. Another popular activity in Juneau is hiking, as there are a lot of spectacular walks. You can choose to camp or to overnight in a U. S. Forest Service Cabin.Anchorage is located in the centre of the state, and is surrounded by mountains and the sea. It is one of the most northerly cities on earth. It is also a sophisticated city that can offer fine dining and a thriving music scene. It also has lots of museums and art galleries.The wilderness is not far away. You can use Anchorage as a base to do a lot of different things. If you like to hike then Flattop Mountain is just outside the city. There are lots of spots to fish as well. It is teeming with wildlife, thanks to the low human population. It is famous for its bears, so if you want to see these creatures you are in luck. There are many well organize tours that will get you to see bears at a safe distance.Alaska is home to the world famous Denali National Park. Visitors are not allowed to drive very far into the park, but there are still lots of great trails to hike. The visitor centre can offer lots of information on where to go an what to wee. The rangers give guided hikes every day. You can camp in the area or rent a cabin. Try to get an Alaska travel guide to show you the land.
This Article Has Been Published on Fri, 8 Oct 2010 and Read 121 Times