Travel Oracles 50 States: Alaska

As part of my summer series - Travel Oracles 50 States - I am revisiting each os the fifty American states as an overview on travel culture and history. Today: Alaska

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Joined: Became the 49th state on January 3, 1959

Original Indigenous Peoples: While it is clear from archeology and Native history that people have lived in parts of Alaska for 10,000 years, there is some evidence that colonization first took place many thousands of years earlier. The Inuit and a variety of Native American groups divided into several main groups: the Southeastern Coastal Indians (the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian), the Athabascans, the Aleut, and the two groups of Inuit, the Inupiat and the Yup'ik.

First Settlers: Some studies suggest that the city of Sitka is at least 10,000 years old, with Russians settling it in 1799. It was an important city when Russia owned it as it was a crucial fur trading port.

History moment: Alaska has a unique history in America, given it did not join the union until 1959, and was acquired by the United States in 1867 from Russia, though it was inhabited for thousands of years by indigenous groups

Known for: Glaciers, the vast wilderness, Northern lights, midnight sun, Alaska Native Culture, and cruises

Cities: Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau

Movie setting: Into the Wild, The Grey, White Fang, The Proposal (not actually shot there, just “set in”)

Musicians from: Jewel, John Gourley (Portugal. The Man)

Surprising facts: Alaska has 3 million lakes, more than 12,000 rivers, an estimated 100,000 glaciers, and more volcanoes than any other state.

Alaska lies at the extreme northwest of the North American continent, boasting awe-inspiring nature, and is the size of Texas, California and Montana combined. Aside from the many cruises around its coastline, one comes to Alaska for outdoor adventure, and you will not be disappointed. It’s a good idea to start in Anchorage, then head to the secluded Kenai Fjords or magnificent Chugach National Forest, and if there's time, fly to Juneau or drive north to Fairbanks to hike atop a glacier or canoe along a misty river, and eat as much fresh seafood as possible. Let’s travel to Alaska.

My Experience: I have never been to Alaska, which is shocking considering I loved for years in Vancouver and it’s not that far away and I had been invited on a cruise or two, but timing was never there. Adding to the list.

Anchorage: Most of the towns are smaller in Alaska, but Anchorage is the states most populous city, and a great place to base yourself to explore the outdoors, wildlife, glaciers and parklands. Beautifully settled between between mountains and saltwater, it is also home to the railroad, a ship terminal and what may be the world’s largest seaplane base. Things to see & do: Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Portage Glacier, 4. McKinley Explorer, Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, Alyeska Aerial Tram, Flattop Mountain Trail

Nature: There is so much to see and do in Alaska’s brilliant nature, but some of the most incredible natural wonders In Alaska include: Kenai Fjords National Park. Glacier Bay National Park, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Denali National Park, Tongass National Forest, Lake Clark, and any opportunity to see

Ranking in US: Per the annual US News report, Alaska is currently ranked #45 out of 50 in 2021, down from #44 in 2019, with its main challenges being around education, economy and infrastructure.