Great Land of Alaska

Pictures and Information about The Great Land

Fact of the Week:

Over 500 species of mushroom grow in Alaska. (More facts)

Last update:

May 26, 2010: New pictures added. See the new picture page for all the new pictures.

Alaska - The Great Land.

Our word Alaska comes from the Aleut word Alyeska — “The Great Land.” As anyone who has lived in or visited Alaska knows, this is indeed The Great Land. Lush coastal rain forests, high mountain peaks, large crystal-clear lakes, and massive glaciers are just some of the breathtaking sights in this northern land.

Alaska can be just as dangerous as it is beautiful. A Grizzly surprised by a hiker, a rutting bull moose, hypothermia, earthquakes, volcanos, or avalanches are things that many Alaskans have had to face at one time or another. This tranquil, peaceful land can be a real challenge for those who try to take it on without the proper preparation and planning.

Still, many Alaskans say that despite the challenges and dangers, they'd rather not be anywhere else. They share the land with one of the world's longest rivers (The Yukon River), one of the world's highest tides (Cook Inlet), one of the world's largest mountains (Denali), and one of the world's deepest gorges (Great Gorge). Alaska also has the world's largest population of Grizzly Bears and one of the world's highest concentrations of Bald Eagles. Whether you're a Cheechako or a Sourdough, a visitor or a long-time resident, there's plenty to see and enjoy in the Great Land.

Come on in and see what we've got to offer:

Picture Galleries - Photographs of Alaskan scenery.
Reference - Definitions, maps, trivia, and other things about Alaska.
Humor - A few Alaskan-related jokes.
Links - Some links to other Alaskan or Alaskan-related sites.

VOLCANO UPDATE: (July 28 2010 7:30PM Alaska time)

No Alaskan volcanoes to report at this time.

(Alaska & Kamchatka Peninsula volcano status / recent Alaskan earthquakes)


Current Conditions:

Click for Kenai, Alaska Forecast

Click for Soldotna, Alaska Forecast

July

Anchorage—Crow Pass Crossing; Arctic Valley Trail & Munchkin Run.
Anderson—Anderson Bluegrass Festival.
Chugiak/Eagle River—Bear Paw Festival.
Cordova—Wild Copper River Salmon Festival.
Dillingham—Salmon Bake; Military Appreciation Fishing Trip.
Fairbanks—Golden Days; Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival; Fairbanks Summer Fine Arts Camp; World Eskimo-Indian Olympics; Midnight Sun Intertribal Powwow; Mutt March.
Girdwood—Forest Faire.
Haines—Southeast Alaska State Fair; Bald Eagle Music Festival.
Homer—Homer Street Fair; Concert on the Lawn; Summer String Festival; Halibut Tournament.
Hope—Wagon Trail Run Weekend.
Ketchikan—Timber Carnival.
Kodiak—Bear-Foot in the Park Qintathalon; Salmonberry Festival; 50-Years Statehood Celebration Parade & Fireworks.
Ninilchik—Rodeo.
Naukati Bay—Skunk Cabbage Festival; Mud Bog Races.
Nome—Anvil Mountain Run; Poor Man's Paradise.
North Pole—Summer Festival and Parade; Santa Claus Half Marathon.
Palmer—Palmer Pride Picnic.
Petersburg—Canned Salmon Classic.
Seward—Mount Marathon Race.
Sitka—Island Institute's Sitka Symposium.
Skagway—Ducky Derby; International Softball Tournament; Soapy Smith's Wake.
Soldotna—Dog Show; Progress Days; Creek Celebration.
Sutton—Old Timer's Picnic.
Talkeetna—Moose Dropping Festival.
Thorne Bay—Prince of Wales Island Fair and Logging Show.
Unalaska—Mount Ballyhoo Run; Camp Quanagaayux (Unangan Culture Camp).
Valdez—Silver Salmon Derby (through September).

(Complete calendar)

Today's Picture:

July 28, 2010 7:29PM

Looking out my living room window

Kenai high, low, & sunlight:
High: 57°F (14°C)
Low: 52°F 11°C)
Daylight: 17 hours 15 minutes (4 minute 49 second loss)