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A Simple Guide to Its Diverse Geography
Alaska is well-known for its natural beauty, including vast national parks, wildlife, lakes, waterfalls, and glaciers. If you are planning a visit or considering moving to The Last Frontier, it may be a good idea to familiarize yourself with the state’s regions and general geography.
Whether you are headed for arctic city life in Anchorage or planning on sticking to a small town like Kodiak, there is plenty to learn about Alaskan life. I can truly say living and visiting this snowy state is a unique experience that everyone should have at least once in their life!
Alaska, the Origins
Western science believes that the first people arrived in Alaska around 15,000 years ago. They were following herd animals over the Bering Land Bridge. Then came the Na-Dene peoples and the Eskimo-Aleut. New fossil data revealed that the first permanent settlements were made in the high-arctic regions 13,000 years later.
Vitus Bering, a Danish explorer, recorded the Bering Strait connecting Asia and North America more recently in 1728. In 1741, a Russian expedition, led by Vitus Bering and George Steller, ‘discovered’ Alaska. They landed near Kayak Island.
In 1784, the first Russian settlement on Kodiak Island, Three Saints Bay, was established.
In April 1867, the United States bought all 663,300 acres of Alaska for 7.2 million dollars in gold. Finally, The Last Frontier was given a name.
The name Alaska, derived from the Aleut word alaxsxaq, meaning “the mainland” or, more literally, “the object towards which the action of the sea is directed.”
Soon after the acquisition of the state, gold near Sitka was discovered in 1872. This discovery prompted more than 60,000 people from all over Alaska to seek out gold.
Then in 1897, the Klondike Gold Rush was triggered. It brought over 100,000 prospectors north to seek their fortunes.
The formal boundary between Alaska’s southeastern section and Canada was finally settled in 1903 by treaty.
On August 24, 1912, Alaska Territory was established. It wouldn’t become a state until 1959.
Regions in Alaska
Alaska currently is divided into five regions: Southwest, Inside Passage, Interior, Southcentral, and Arctic.
1. Arctic Region
The Arctic of Alaska is one of the state’s most varied regions. It ranges from the coast to the mountains, and the population is just over 10,000.
The state’s northern regions experience the most significant seasonal changes in sunlight. It has 67 days without rising sun in the winter with temperatures dropping to -20F, but then also gets 80 days of uninterrupted sunshine in the summer heating up the air to the 40’s.
People in the far north are more likely to see arctic wildlife like muskoxen, wolverine, and caribou. In 1960, the Arctic National Wildlife Range was created to protect thes animals.
Major Cities
There are ten cities of note in the Arctic Region including Ambler, Buckland, Deering Kiana, Kivalina Kobuk, Kotzebue Noorvik, Selawik, and Shungnak.
Things to Do
Visitors and tourists can enjoy many activities in the Arctic Region. Many of these activities are educational or outdoorsy.
You can explore the area’s rich history or participate in activities such as fishing, hiking, hunting, snow machining, ski shoeing, boating, and skiing.
Here are a few of the places that deserve a visit:
- Arctic Interagency Visitor Center
- Cape Krusenstern National Monument
- Iditarod National Historic Trail
- Inupiat Heritage Center
- Kobuk Valley National Park
- National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska
- Noatak National Preserve
- Selawik National Wildlife Refuge
- Unalakleet National Wild River
2. Interior Region
The Interior is home to stunning mountain views, berry-laden tundra, and abundant wildlife, including moose and Dall sheep. You might be able to see Mount Denali from the high peaks during the summer!
Interior Alaska is home to the most extreme temperature swings. The Arctic Circle’s Prospect Creek recorded the lowest temperature at -80 degrees F in 1971. Despite the variable temperatures, winter darkness is a great place to see the northern lights.
In addition to the temperature fluctuations, you can also experience mountain ranges, rivers, and vast woodlands of spruce and birch trees. The Interior Region is also full of habitats for moose, bears, wolves, and Dall sheep.
Major Cities
Fairbanks is the largest city in Interior Region. Other towns and cities include North Pole, Eagle, Tok, Glennallen, Delta Junction, Nenana, Anderson, Healy, and Cantwell.
Things to Do
There are many outdoor activities to try in the Interior. Birding, fishing, and boating are just a few of the many fun things available.
These and other activities are available at the following Parks and Recreation Areas:
- Big Delta State Historical Park
- Chena River State Recreation Area
- Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
- Delta Junction Bison Range Area
- Delta National Wild and Scenic River
- Denali Highway
- Denali National Park and Preserve
- Fortymile National Wild and Scenic River
- Iditarod National Historic Trail
- Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge
3. Southwest Region
The Southwest region extends over 1,000 miles into the Pacific Ocean and is home to volcanic islands, mountains, and countless lakes. It’s a birder’s paradise!
You’ll find vast, complex, and unexplored terrain here! With so much nature to explore, the Southwest is very alluring. However, be aware that the Aleutian Islands can produce some of the worst weather conditions anywhere in the world.
Major Cities
A few of the major cities in the Southwest Region of Alaska include Bethel, Dillingham, King Salmon, Kodiak, Sand Point, Unalaska, and Dutch Harbor.
Things to Do
Outdoorspeople will have a great time fishing, hiking, hunting, sightseeing, floating, boating, birding, beachcombing, and more!
Here are a few of the noteworthy places in the Southwest:
- Afognak Island State Park
- Alagnak Wild and Scenic River
- Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge
- Aleutian WWII National Historic Area
- Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve
- Cape Newenham State Game Refuge
- Katmai National Park and Preserve
- Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge
4. Southcentral Region
Alaska’s southcentral region is home to more than half of the state’s residents, with Anchorage having the largest populous. This region is fortunately surrounded by paved roads. However, air and water taxis are needed to transport to other parts of the state.
Major Cities
The Southcentral region includes Anchorage, Valdez, Cordova, Kenai, Seward, Homer, and Palmer.
Things to Do
The Southcentral region offers many opportunities to fish, kayak, clam, and beach walk. For those who prefer to bike or hike, there are many trails in southcentral Alaska that can be used by all levels of ability.
Check out a few of these areas if you make your way to Southcentral Alaska:
- Caines Head State Recreation Area
- Campbell Tract
- Chugach National Forest
- Chugach State Park
- Denali State Park
- Fox River Flats Critical Habitat Area
- Goose Bay State Game Refuge
- Gulkana National Wild and Scenic River
- Hatcher Pass East Management Area
5. Inside Passage
The Southeast region, also known as the Inside Passage, is where you can find Alaska’s capital, Juneau. For those interested in Alaska’s past, this region offers many opportunities to visit fishing villages, like Ketchikan. It is also the region where you can admire the intricately carved Totem Poles in Sitka by Tlingit or Haida artists.
I have spent time in Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka, and I can vouch for the beauty of this region of the state where the weather is a little bit milder (by Alaska standards!)
Major Cities
Some of the major cities are Sitka, Rangell, Skagway, Petersburg, and Haines. Juneau, Alaska’s capital, is a popular place to visit.
Things to Do
You can enjoy hiking, fishing, boating, and hunting in every region. For bird lovers, Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve makes a great place to visit.
Below are a few of the other places you could see:
- Chilkat State Park
- Dude Creek Critical Habitat Area
- Fort Rousseau Causeway State Historic Site
- Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
- Haines State Forest Resource Management Area
- Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
Counties in Alaska
Alaska is one of only two states in the union that doesn’t have counties — instead, it has boroughs. (In case you are wondering, the other state is Lousiana which has parishes.)
There are 20 boroughs in total, 19 organized and one unorganized (which is basically all the land that isn’t in one of the organized boroughs).
Alaska’s Capital: Juneau
Alaska’s capital is not accessible by car! You can reach it by plane, cruise ship, or ferry, however. Juneau, a small city at the foot of Mount Roberts, is bordered by the sea and is full of unbounded adventure.
Juneau was named Alaska’s capital in 1906. It is home to over 30,000 residents year-round. But it is probably most well-known for its Mendenhall Glacier. You can also experience diverse wildlife adventures like whale watching and enjoy the midnight sun.
Juneau is the ideal place for adventurers.
Which City is Alaska’s Largest?
Technically, Sitka is the largest city in Alaska (and the entire United States), clocking in at 4,811 square miles. However, there are only about 9,000 people living in Sitka, and it definitely has a small-town vibe.
Anchorage is really the biggest city in Alaska, with roughly 41% of Alaskans calling it home. It is a tax-friendly city offering proximity to the wildness of the state while also supporting a more urban lifestyle.
Which City is Alaska’s Northernmost?
Utqiagvik, Alaska’s northernmost city, is home to approximately 4,200 residents. Previously, called Barrow, this city is located north of the Arctic Circle and has a rich history. (Fun fact! This is the Alaskan city depicted in the vampire movie 30 Days of Night — but the town actually gets 67 days of night in the winter.)
It covers 21 miles in area, with 18 miles of land and 3 miles of water. This area, which is dry and cold, is a great place to enjoy the midnight sun, arts, crafts, and other unique aspects of Alaska.
So Much to Explore!
The 49th state is fun, from top to bottom. Each region adds a different flavor to the pot of adventure.
Alaska is a remote place that charms many people, myself included. Once you learn more about each region and its unique offerings, you’ll surely agree that Alaska is a great place to live, whether you are an outdoor enthusiast, a history buff, or someone who enjoys adventure.
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