Travel-and-Leisure
Alaska - Vegetation, Wildlife and People
Soils suitable for tillage are located in the lowlands and valley areas where they may have originated from river deposits. They contrast with the shallow soils on the steeper slopes and uplands. Permafrost is common north of the Alaska Range, thawing out only at the surface in summer creating waterlogged conditions. Roads and buildings are subject to damage in these areas.
Extensive coniferous forests adorn the slopes of the south-eastern mountains. In the interior the forest cover thins out giving way to grasslands and marsh. North of the Brooks Range are the treeless plains of the tundra, supporting mosses, lichens and grasses capable of surviving the severe climatic conditions which are present in those areas. The caribou live here as well as wild fowl and small fur-bearing mammals, which are essential to the native economy.
River fish, such as salmon and sea mammals such as the seal and the whale, are also captured. In the south the larger mammals, including the brown bear and prolific salmon streams are an attraction to sportsmen.
Alaska has the smallest population of all the American States. About a fifth is native Indian and Eskimo. Their standard of living, though improving, is lower than that of the white population. Many depend on a subsistence economy. The white population enjoys a high living standard; many come for short and profitable periods on contract, often during the summer months.
The temporary population gives the State a predominance of males and a per capita income, which is one of the highest in the USA. Alaska's settlements are small and scattered widely with some concentration along the Gulf Coast. The three largest centres, Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau, are service centres for numerous resource-oriented communities, fishing settlements and timber camps. To the north and west of the railroad and highway system, on the coast and in the river valleys are a large number of native settlements, which depend on subsistence hunting and fishing.
Less than 10 per cent of tillable land in Alaska is used, partly due to the expense of making the land productive. The principle farming area is north of Anchorage in the Matanuska Valley. Eggs, potatoes, dairy products, lettuces and cabbages are the most important items produced for local consumption. Farming is also found around Fairbanks. Moderate climate and large areas of grassland near the Gulf of Alaska have encouraged cattle farming.
Vast forests are located in two main areas. The coastal forests of the southeast produce 90 per cent of the State's wood, mainly western hemlock and sitka spruce. Both are situated near tidewater, which enables transport to the pulp mills at Ketchikan and Sitka easy.
Although gold has declined since the initial goldrush in the 1890s, it still remains the most valuable mineral resource. Coal is also found throughout the State, the most important field near Fairbanks. Other minerals found include gravel, sand, lead and mercury. There are also deposits of iron in the southeast.
Michael Russell |
Michael Russell
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