Alaska is the largest and most rugged state in the USA. The homeland of the Eskimos and the Land of the Midnight Sun captivates with incredible landscapes. What's so special about Alaska's wildlife? Photos and descriptions of the state can be found 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 an exclave (a dependent region surrounded by other states from the main territory of the country). For these reasons, Alaska was given the name "The Last Frontier."
In addition to the continental part, the state covers Pribyvalov Island, the Aleutian Islands, the Alexander Archipelago, Kodiak Island, and other nearby islands. It borders with Canada, and across the Bering Strait with Russia. It is washed by the Pacific Ocean and surrounded in the north 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 you place it 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
Alaska's landscape has had a significant impact on its nature. Along everything south coast The region stretches along the Alaska Range, where Mount McKinley, the highest peak in the United States, is located. The mountain is also called Denali and extends to a height of 6,194 meters. In the eastern part of the range, 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 an elevation range of 1200 to 600 meters, which gradually turns into a lowland. Beyond the plateau lies the Brooks Range, with elevations ranging from 950 to 2000 meters. Behind it is the Arctic Lowland. In Alaska there are “high-altitude US record holders”; more than 20 peaks have an absolute height of 4 kilometers or more.
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 Even in summer average temperature in this region from -20 to -28 degrees. In other parts of the state, conditions are much milder.
In the south the climate is humid with high rainfall. Temperatures in summer, although not as severe as in the north, are still low. On average in July it reaches 13 degrees. The most low temperature The highest temperature ever recorded in Alaska is -62 degrees.
Nature of Alaska
There are eight national parks in the state. The largest of them, Gates of Alaska, is located entirely within the Arctic Circle in a region of permafrost. Despite the cold and harsh climate, Alaska's wildlife is quite diverse.
There are many bodies of water in the region. There are about 3 million lakes and 12 thousand rivers here. The largest river is Yukon. To the north is about 40 thousand square meters. km are occupied by glaciers.
In the north-west of the country there are huge sand dunes. Inner part The region covers open forests and tundras. They serve as shelter for moose, grizzly bears, reindeer, minks, martens, foxes, and wolverines.
In southern Alaska there are grasslands and coniferous forests. Baribals, partridges, Alaskan geese, and hazel grouse live here. Among the ungulates, caribou and moose predominate, and musk oxen are sometimes found.
Off the coast of the state no less active life. Walruses, sea lions, and various seals live near Alaska. On the coast Pacific Ocean There are many shellfish, shrimp and crabs.
- Go to: America
Wildlife of Alaska
The two continents of Eurasia and America converge very closely here, and the Bering Strait has a relatively recent (in geological sense) origin, and in its place there was a Bering land bridge. That is why the fauna of Alaska has much in common with the fauna of Siberia, and northern Eurasia as a whole.
The fauna of the tundra and forest areas of Alaska is quite diverse and characteristic. There are only about 20 species of different fur-bearing animals here. Among them there are mainly representatives of the order of carnivores (American mink, wolverine and other mustelids, several varieties of foxes, wolves, bears), hares and rodents (muskrat, beaver, etc.). The number of large predators (wolves, coyotes, bears, wolverines) especially increased during the Second World War, when they became a real scourge of Alaska due to the fact that they multiplied in huge numbers as a result of the fact that large herds of domestic reindeer were actually abandoned to arbitrariness of fate.
A number of mountainous and forested areas of Alaska, as well as the forest-tundra, are home to various species of wild ungulates, such as caribou (reindeer), moose, bighorn goat and bighorn sheep. Musk oxen, completely destroyed in Alaska by the Americans, now exist in numbers of about 100 on the island of Nunivak, where they were brought from Greenland. On Afognak Island, the American wapiti, brought from Oregon (USA), has been acclimatized, and in the Big Delta region (southeast of Fairbanks) there is a small herd of bison.
Birds are exceptionally richly represented in Alaska, among which there are many species related to Siberian ones (three-toed woodpecker, hazel grouse, ptarmigan, Alaskan goose, etc.), but there are also specific American species, such as the fire hummingbird.
Life is in full swing not only on land, but also in the seas and oceans washing the shores of Alaska. 
Widespread off the coast of Alaska different kinds sea beast. These include, first of all, seals with precious fur that spend time in the rookeries of the Pribilof Islands from May to August; walruses, common on the Arctic coast and the Bering Sea coast; sea lions, seals and several species of whales. Many species of animals, especially mammals, living in Alaska are of great commercial importance.
The fish canning industry, as the main industry of Alaska's economy, is based on catching various species salmon fish which are of particular value. In the waters of Alaska, in addition to salmon, there are such valuable fish as cod, herring, halibut, and along the Pacific coast in large quantities There are various types of crustaceans (crabs, shrimps), as well as cephalopods and other mollusks. IN summer months The air in the interior of Alaska is literally infested with midges that even a mosquito net cannot save a person from them.
Mysterious Peninsula - Alaska...
During the reign of Alexander II, ... March 30, 1867, a deal for the sale of land was legally formalized, for which America paid Russia with a check, which is still kept.
What is the climate in Alaska and is it suitable? wild region for relax? If you are looking for natural beauty and tranquility, then a trip to one of most beautiful places in the world - this is what you need.
Despite the different climatic zones - from permafrost to relatively high temperatures, summers in Alaska are warm and green, winters are also quite comfortable. Permafrost is an unusual phenomenon for us. But nothing can compare with such a miracle of nature as glaciers with their icy power. Most large glacier- Hubbard.
It takes your breath away when carved monuments of giant snow-capped mountains float in close proximity. In warm weather, the glacier melts, pieces of ice break off and fall into the water with a roar. A stunning sight that is eagerly sought after by photographers from amateurs to professionals.
In addition to the climate in Alaska, it is worth noting it natural features. Intricate fjords, forested mountains, formidable volcanoes, glacial lakes, a land rich in fur-bearing animals and gold, and the purest subarctic air - it's all Business Cards Alaska Peninsula.
America's largest state is rich in water resources and has about 3 million lakes, 3 thousand rivers and streams, as well as 100 thousand glaciers. Swamps cover about 490,000 square kilometers. There are a lot of volcanoes, both extinct and active. Volcanoes are interesting and almost not dangerous.
The state of Alaska is a multi-purpose destination for tourists, where extreme sports enthusiasts will choose their hobby, and there will be attractions for aesthetes. Lovers of rich nature will definitely not get bored, because here it is especially diverse.
A large number of travelers who prefer sea cruises seek to get to the Alaska Peninsula in summer time when you can have great fishing or hunting. Travelers have access to picturesque fjords, gorges and waterfalls. If you're lucky, you might see mountain goats. Real wild bears often roam along the shore. Alaska is a land for daredevils.
Sheep Creek has a special platform for those wishing to watch salmon spawn. Alaska has the largest colony of kittiwakes. The rocks, like Easter cakes sprinkled with sesame seeds, are covered with these graceful birds. Sea kayaks are available for extreme excursions in bays and reservoirs. On them, craftsmen can easily overcome even large waves.
It is not uncommon to see sea lion seals. From time to time, their huge muzzles appear on the surface of the water here and there. Sometimes humpback whales or killer whales allow themselves to be discovered. Undoubtedly, wonderful shots for photo hunters.
Those who are not afraid of winter Alaska will find themselves at the largest festival in the state of Alaska with dog sleds. And what Russian doesn’t like driving fast? Riding on this type of transport is very popular among tourists.
You should definitely check out the largest city in Alaska - Anchorage. Half of the state's total population lives here. It is a transport, tourist and shopping center.
Alaska's pride - national park Denali. In the reserve in conditions wildlife live wolves, bears, moose, coyotes, lynxes and many other animals. On reindeer farms it is allowed to feed from the hands of these traditional inhabitants of the peninsula.
The exhibitions of numerous museums in the cities of Alaska tell about the history, culture, flora and fauna of the largest US state.
Often the starting point for a cruise around the Alaska Peninsula is the port city of Whittier. Then climbing to one of the mountain peaks by high-speed funicular is simply necessary. From a bird's eye view, amazingly beautiful landscapes open up.
For the hardiest travelers who dare to go on a cruise in winter, the reward will be a real light show - the colorful northern lights. Blue-green tints will give way to scarlet and pink. The dance of light and color is a stunning spectacle, for which it is worth taking an adventurous route to distant lands full of dangers.
A pleasant aesthetic addition to the spectacular lighting effect is a visit to the China Hot Spring Ice Museum. It is unusual when an alcoholic cocktail is served in an ice glass and the glass remains as a souvenir for the guest of the ice bar. The most fragile and short-lived souvenir that you can have. After so many pleasures, it is good to relax, immersed in healing water one of the hot springs in Fairbanks.
Most tourists, going on a cruise to Alaska and discovering this unexplored region for the first time, return more than once...
thought about it
chase: terns are very brave birds, they attack seagulls, which are three times larger!
stretching
yes, we see there is a train)
the horns are impressive
The deer's antlers are unusual, not “bare” like the rest, but covered with fur, I would say suede!
battle cry
here comes the clubfoot
big guy
lower lip doesn't close
caribou, if he could talk, would be a comedian)
nature has deprived the caribou - instead of horns, some kind of intestine sticks out of its head
do you see the ocean?
here's another ocean
and in the evening bam - and there is no ocean! I have seen many low tides, but for the whole ocean to disappear!:000
and here comes the tide!
there are a lot of fish in the tide wave, judging by the birds
surfers also take advantage of the tide
baby gulls have gray-brown plumage, but grow up and become white
the tern, attacking, makes heart-rending sounds
In Alaska, the further north you go, the later the sunsets and the earlier the sunrises. Sunsets are around 23-24, and after 2-3 hours the sunrise, so I missed all the sunrises, who wants to get up at 3 am?:)
Friends, the fact is that I already said everything I wanted to tell you about Alaska in previous posts, but there were a number of photos left that I would like to show you, so I had to make another post and write at least something about it! I hope the text is not too boring)
I took photographs with animals at an animal reservation (I didn’t remember the name), which is located near Anchorage. This is a famous reservation in America, because such monsters as Animal Planet filmed programs about it, National Geographic, Discovery, etc.!
The reservation contains almost all of Alaska's animals, such as bison, caribou, deer, bald eagles, wolves and bears. Here animals are not kept in small cages; each animal has quite a large space to live! Some animals can be touched and fed by hand, but of course we are not talking about bears, you can only feed them by hand, but not by hand!)
Overall an interesting place, worth a visit!
A few words about the locals.
Previously, when I heard talk about how Americans are a nation of fat people, I was surprised, because I had been to the USA so many times, I didn’t seem to notice that they were very different from us, but when I was in Alaska, I realized that the countryside audience is completely not like in big cities, these real piggy banks for calories are really fat (I don’t mean just plump people, but those whose weight exceeds a ton), there are people of some unreal, I would say unearthly, shapes and sizes! Only here you can meet a mammoth/hippopotamus/walrus man! I had no idea that Gulliver is not a mythical character, but every third resident of Alaska!
In megacities like New York, LA or Miami, the people are more fit and thin, the cult of the body in such cities is perhaps the only “religion”! In Miami Beach, not having a six-pack is the same as not having a tattoo for a biker!
In large cities, appearance decides everything or a lot! It’s easier to find a job, the attitude towards the thin (read rich and fit) is better, and they enjoy great success with the opposite (and not only) sex!
The reason for getting fat is boredom, because people seem to have money, but there is nowhere to put it in a small town; the only entertainment is huge, fatty, and at the same time tasty, burgers! Gluttony is the same strong addiction as drug addiction or gambling; if you get hooked on burgers, then a third chin is inevitably difficult to stop! I don’t believe that obesity is a consequence of genetic abnormalities (as fat people themselves claim), because every third person cannot have a genetic predisposition to obesity!
I would like to note that no matter how these people look outwardly, they are all very responsive and friendly, which is much more important than their appearance, "Kindness is better than beauty", as Heine said! I am in no way making fun of people who have a strong excess weight, I'm sorry that people are good, but do not have a strong enough will to overcome gluttony!
We drove around Alaska by car for ten days, went to any place where there were signs on brown (that is, attractions), stopped in picturesque places for the night, walked through the forest, ate the same burgers, fed mosquitoes, in general, we had a great rest!
To briefly summarize my trip to Alaska, I received tremendous aesthetic pleasure traveling through this fantastically beautiful land. I recommend to everyone!
On my last day in Alaska, I broke my record - I made as many as 5 flights in one day! Tired as ever.
I don’t know if you’ve noticed or not, on an airplane the beard and nails grow much faster, at a rate of a centimeter per hour, wrinkles become deeper, old age is literally knocking at the door!:0 After a long flight, you look 10 years older!:o What’s the reason for this? , is it really due to the dry air in the aircraft cabin?
This is the last post about wonderful Alaska, thanks for reading!
I involuntarily associate visiting Alaska with wild animals. We, citizens of Russia, raised in the Soviet Union by Yuri Senkevich with the “Travel Club” and “The World of Animals” by Vitaly Peskov and Nikolai Drozdov, have seen these animals many times, although it was a long time ago and, unfortunately, through a TV screen with a far from flat low-resolution screen! I also wanted to note here my attitude towards zoos. After visiting the Moscow Zoo, my heart bleeds: I can’t look at the poor suffering wild animals in captivity! Of course, there are better zoos, for example in Miami. But still – bondage! Well, that’s why we really wanted to see wild animals in Alaska, and in their natural environment. And Alaska is 100% ready for such a formulation of the question! A whole bunch of all kinds of tours are offered by car, bus, plane, boat and ship. We took the Kantishna Experience tour. 12 hours round trip on 90 miles of dirt road. And this is what came of it...
The first to meet us right on the road was a caribou or reindeer. He was simply walking along the road in the oncoming lane about his deer business. To be honest, I thought that all the animals would then take turns along this road.
Caribou grazing in a clearing
Mountain goats were grazing very far away
And here main character national park Denali: Grizzly!
His shoulders, neck and belly are covered with dark brown hair, lighter at the ends, which gives his fur a grayish tint; hence the name - grizzly means “gray, gray-haired”.
The lifestyle of a grizzly bear is typical Brown bear- flows into hibernation and eats mainly plant foods. Only in early youth can a grizzly bear climb trees until his claws (which grow the largest of all bears) get in the way, but later he can easily swim across wide rivers. Skillfully catches fish. Grizzlies also love to destroy beehives and eat honey.
And here is the whole family.
The grizzly bear is one of the largest and most ferocious North American predators. Scientific name This subspecies, horribilis, translates as “terrible, terrible.” In the old days, they liked to describe the grizzly as a terrible and ferocious animal; they said that he is not afraid of a person - on the contrary, he goes straight at him, whether he is on horseback or on foot, armed or unarmed. The grizzly bear population has declined greatly in late XIX- the beginning of the 20th century, when farmers began to shoot them en masse in order to protect livestock from attacks.
Just a bird
Partridges were hiding in the bushes along the road
Two moose (female and male) stand in Wonder Lake with McKinley in the background
The diet of moose includes aquatic and semi-aquatic plants. They probably found them in the shallow waters of this lake.
These are the wild animals we saw in the national park. The distance to the bears was more than 300 meters, to the moose - more than a hundred. At the zoo you can see them very close, but here they are at home. This is the whole point of visiting a national park. To be honest, a focal length of 400 mm is simply nothing for shooting these beauties. I wonder what happened to those who shot at a shorter distance on automatic with a constantly pop-up flash?
