Alaska Country Guide

Alaska is the largest state in the USA, a sparsely populated land of immense natural beauty, diverse wildlife and breathtaking adventure. At one-fifth the size of the lower 48 states, Alaska has 3 million lakes, over 3,000 rivers, 17 of the USA's 20 highest peaks, 100,000 glaciers and 15 national parks, preserves and monuments. Soaring snow-covered peaks, glaciers and fjords, bears, moose, salmon-filled rivers and the shrill call of eagles echo the grandeur of this state, which offers an experience like nowhere else on earth.

Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, is both a popular tourist destination and the centre of commerce and transportation for the region; 40% of the state's population lives here. Lake Hood is home to the world's largest seaplane base, the main form of transport in Alaska.

Fairbanks, Alaska's second-largest city, situated at the northern end of the Alaska Highway, is a trade and transportation centre for the Interior and Far North regions, and gateway to the state's real frontier. From mid-May through to July, visitors can enjoy more than 20 hours of sunlight a day, but in winter the short days are mostly a pink-and-indigo twilight with about four hours of real daylight.