Tuesday, 11 June 2013

Interesting Facts And Alaskan History

By Grace Daniels


Ice, cold, not many inhabitants; this is generally the impression people have when they hear or think of the state of Alaska. There are so many misconceptions surrounding the largest state in the United States. Alaskan history does exist and can be very interesting. There are actually a whole lot of interesting facts about Alaska and learning a little bit about the history behind the state is really amazing.

Remember the 1925 Diptheria outbreak in Nome, where sled dogs traveled over 700 miles in just over five days or how about the Exxon Valdez oil spill where eleven million gallons of crude oil is spilt over fifteen hundred miles of coastline. The largest recordable earthquake in North American and second largest in the world measuring 9.2 magnitude. The first discovery of Alaska was made in 1741 by a Russian expedition led by Vitus Bering and also included George Steller. These are just a few of the things that have taken place in Alaska.

Sled dog racing was inspired by the Diptheria outbreak in 1925. Annually in March the well known Iditarod sled dog races takes place along with the Serum Run 25 dog sled race. These dogs get to show just what they are made of as does their owners. They endure brutal conditions, rugged terrain and harsh weather conditions, just like they did in 1925 transporting the serum. The serum run of 1925 is when dogs such as Balto became recognized for their outstanding achievements.

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.

Home to a variety of animals, this is the only place in the world where someone can find all three bear species. The most popular being the polar bears. It also is home to 14 different kinds of mosquitoes; however, none of them transmit diseases. The natives of this land have learned how to cohabitate amongst the wildlife and live harmoniously. A big majority of the state is protected and recognized as a conservation.

During the last ice age, people crossed the Bering land bridge that spanned one thousand feet wide and connected Siberia and Alaska. This is how the native Alaskan aborigines came to inhabit the land. Many of the natives were given free land called homesteads in which to settle. Much of these homesteads are protected under the preservation act allowing them to remain undeveloped, undisturbed lands.

The native Alaskan aborigines inhabited the lands during the last ice age. The Bering land bridge which spanned 1000 miles wide between Alaska and Siberia allowed people to cross and inhabit the lands. Later on the natives were given land for free to live on, now known as homesteads. The homesteads are included in the preservation and protected along with the other hundred million acres of land. Some inhabitant originated from the gold rushes.

Alaska is referred to as the last frontier and the land of the midnight sun. It has stories of the oldest known shipwrecks and holds some of the records for temperatures and snowfalls. It also is home to one of the largest and busiest seaplane bases in the world. As you can see there is a lot to learn and know about Alaskan history and facts.




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