About Alaska
Alaska is one of the last truly wild places in America, with extreme weather, incredible scenery, and an abundance of wildlife. Native Americans have been living in the area for centuries. Western expansion helped establish outposts for fishing and gold prospecting more recently. But it wasn’t until the mid-20th century that it received official statehood.
Military history in the state began around WWII, when airfields and bases were built as part of the Lend Lease program. The area was also where they tested cold-weather gear and fought the Japanese presence in the area during the war. After WWII, the state became a significant strategic location given the Cold War tensions with the Soviet Union and the importance of shipping and fishing industries. Alaska still serves as a cold-weather training ground and an important location for key support personnel units.
ATTRACTIONS IN ALASKA
If you’re into outdoor activities—from skiing and snowmobiling to mushing, fishing, and hunting—and don’t mind the occasional moose in your front yard, it may be the perfect place for you. Prefer things that are a bit more modern? Places like Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Juneau offer pretty much everything you’d expect in a great American city: fine dining, cultural attractions like theaters and museums, and some unique and interesting history. Area attractions include:
- Alaska Botanical Gardens (Fairbanks)
- Iditarod dog race
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Sight seeing
- Alaska Center for the Performing Arts (Anchorage)
- Skiing
- Mountaineering
- Camping
- Snowmobiling
- Eco tours