Alaska is the largest and "harshest" US state. The homeland of the Eskimos and the Earth of the midnight sun captures incredible landscapes. What is remarkable for the wildlife of Alaska? You will find a photo and description of the staff later in the article.
The Last Frontier
Alaska is located on the peninsula of the same name in the northwestern part of the continent of North America. This is the northernmost state of the United States and also exclave (a dependent region surrounded by other states from the country's main territory). For these reasons, Alaska was called the "Last Frontier."
In addition to the continental part, the state covers Pribyvalova Island, the Aleutian Islands, Alexander Archipelago, Kodiak Island, St. Lawrence, and other nearby islands. It borders with Canada, and across the Bering Strait - with Russia. In the south, the state is washed by the Pacific Ocean, in the north it is surrounded by the Arctic Ocean, which largely influenced the formation of the nature of Alaska.
The region covers an area of 1.7 million square kilometers. If placed on top of a map of the United States, it will stretch from Florida to California. About 740 thousand people live here. The main and one of the largest cities in Alaska is Juneau. Other major cities: Anchorage, Sitka, Fairbanks, College.
Climate and relief
A significant impact on the nature of Alaska had its relief. Alaska Range stretches along the entire southern coast of the region, where Mount McKinley is located - the highest peak in the United States. The mountain is also called Denali and extends in height at 6,194 meters. In the eastern part of the ridge, near the Canadian state of Yukon, is Mount Bona - a long-extinct volcano covered with glaciers.
To the north of the ridge there is a plateau with a range of heights from 1200 to 600 meters, which gradually turns into a lowland. Over the plateau is the Brooks Range with heights from 950 to 2000 meters. Behind it is the Arctic Lowland. In Alaska there are “high-altitude champions of the USA”, more than 20 peaks have an absolute height of 4 kilometers.
Due to the huge size of the state, the climate and nature of Alaska differ in different parts of it. In the very north of the state, the climate is arctic. Even in summer, the average temperature in this region is from -20 to -28 degrees. In the rest of the state, conditions are much milder.
In the south, the climate is humid with high rainfall. The temperature in summer is not as severe as in the north, but still low. On average, in July it reaches 13 degrees. The lowest temperature in Alaska that has ever been recorded is -62 degrees.
Nature of alaska
The state has eight national parks. The largest of them, Gates of the Alaska, is completely located beyond the Arctic Circle in the permafrost region. Despite the cold and harsh climate, the wildlife of Alaska is quite diverse.
There are many reservoirs in the region. There are about 3 million lakes and 12 thousand rivers. The largest river is the Yukon. To the north about 40 thousand square meters. km are glaciers.
Huge sand dunes are located in the north-west of the country. The interior of the region is covered by woodlands and tundra. They serve as a haven for moose, grizzly bears, reindeer, minks, martens, foxes, and wolverines.
In southern Alaska, there are meadows and coniferous forests. Wolves, coyotes, baribals, partridges, Alaskan geese, and hazel grouse live here. Among ungulates, caribou, moose, snow goats prevail, and sometimes musk bulls are found.
Off the coast of the state no less active life. Walruses, sea lions, various species of whales, and seals live near Alaska. There are many mollusks, shrimps and crabs on the Pacific coast.