Explore Alaskan State History on a Fishing Trip in Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the U.S., and it has some of the most incredible sights and richest history in the world. When Alaska was purchased as a territory of the United States in 1876, many people believed it to be a futile acquisition that had little to offer the union. Yet, as prospectors and settlers in the 1890s soon discovered, Alaska held an overwhelming amount of valuable natural resources, including gold.
Alaska was finally admitted into the union in 1959 as the 49th state. Often known as The Last Frontier, Alaska spans over 664,988 square miles. It borders the Beaufort Sea and the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Yukon Territory of Canada and British Columbia to the East, the Gulf of Alaska and the Pacific Ocean to the south, the Bering Sea and the Bering Strait to the west and the Chukchi Sea to the northwest. There is so much to explore throughout Alaska and so much to learn about its history, and there’s no better way to enjoy your fishing trip in Alaska than by familiarizing yourself with some local lore. Here are some fun facts to get you started!
- When Alaska was purchased by the United States from Russia in 1876, Secretary of State William Seward bought the land for $7.2 million, at a rate of only about two cents per acre.
- For 15 months during World War II, two Alaskan islands were occupied by the Japanese.
- Of the 20 highest peaks in the United States, 17 of them are located in Alaska, and the highest mountain in North America, Mount McKinley, is in Alaska and stands at 20,320 feet.
- In 1964, the strongest earthquake ever recorded in North America occurred in Prince William Sound and was rated at a magnitude of 9.2 on the Richter Scale. Every year, Alaska has an average of around 5,000 earthquakes throughout the state.
- The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes in Katmai National Park, one of the most incredible sights in Alaska, was created when the Novarupta Volcano erupted in 1912 in the most powerful volcanic explosion of the 20th
- In 1971, the temperature at Prospect Creek Camp dropped to an astounding, and record-breaking, -80 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The state of Rhode Island could fit into Alaska over 420 times.
- There have been people living in Alaska since 10,000 BCE, when there was a land bridge between Siberia and Alaska. Migrants followed herds of animals across the bridge and many of the groups that originally migrated remain in Alaska to this day.
Plan your fishing trip in Alaska
Explore the beautiful and rich history of Alaska as you embark on an adventure of your own on a fishing trip in Alaska. Phantom Tri-River Charters can help you venture out on a once-in-a-lifetime experience in one of the most beautiful places in the world. We offer fishing charters that give you the opportunity to get out into nature while you catch some incredible fish. We offer both reservations and walk-ins so that you can either plan your trip well in advance or choose to go on your fishing trip on a whim. Give us a call to find out more about our charter services.