My state is Alaska. The capital of Alaska isJuneau. Juneau wasn't

always the capital of Alaska. When Alaska was sold from Russia to America

it was New Archangle. They changed it in 1900 to Juneau. The motto is "

North to the future", the bird is Willow Ptarmigan, the tree is Sitka Spruce,

the flower is Forget-Me-Not, and the flag has blue in the background with

the bigdipper on the left and the North Star on the top right.

Alaska hangs off of Canada to the west. The closest towns in Canada

to Alaska are Dawson and Mayo. Alaska is also by Russia. The Gulf of

Alaska, Artic Ocean, Chukchi Sea, Berring Sea, Burfort Sea, and Gulf of

Anddyr borders Alaska. There is one big mountain in Alaska. It's called

Mt. Mckinley and was named after President Mckinley. It's the biggest

mountain in North Amarica. There are many rivers and many lakes. The

longest river is the Yukon river. The largest lake is Iliamna Lake. In

Alaska there are thousands of islands. The Aleutain Islands are a string of

islands off the southwest coast. The southeastern part of Alaska also has

many islands. It's called the panhandle. There are plains by the Berring

Sea and the Aritc Ocean. Alaska's mountains and plains were first spotted by

Vitus Bering in 1741. Thats why they call the Bering Sea, the Bering Sea.

When Alaska was owned by Russia there was a compny that sold

otter skins. By the time America owned Alaska only a fraction of the otters

survived. Russia sold Alaska to the U.S.A. in 1854 for $7,200,00. At

that time the American people thought that the purchase was foolish. In time

it became obvious that Alaska was rich in fur, fish, and gold. In1883

Alaska had no government. Finally in 1884 Alaska had a very small

goverment and as time past it got bigger and bigger. Alaska used the laws

of Oregon. In Alaska there was one big goldrush. It was in 1896 in the

Yukon, many people struck it rich, but more were disappointed.

The population boomed in the early 1980's as Alaska started to

develop its rich natural resources. Oil and natural gas are now Alaska's

major resources. In 1989 oil was spilled in the Prince William Sound

covering an area of about 500 miles (800 kilometers). 50,000 birds and

2,000 otters were killed. Also in Alaska there is zink, gold, silver, lead, tin,

and platinum. Alaska is the largest producer of zinc in the U. S. A. You

can find the best rivers and lakes for fishing, and the biggest animals for

hunting in Alaska. In Alaska there are national parks almost everywhere

you go.

The best way to enter Alaska is by a ferry. You can see most of the

land form from the ferry. You shouldn't travel in a car because you

couldn't get to many places. The two fastest ways to get around are by

planes and boats. Also helicopters are a good way to get around. Only a

few people live in the northern part of Alaska, most people live in the southeast

of Alaska. In the northeast and the northwest there are no roads, train

tracks, and airports. The only way to get to northern Alaska is to fly a one

or two person plane. I would like to go to Alaska because I like to go

fishing, camping, and I like small cities.