Alaska – Rivers, Waterfalls, Fjords & Forests
According to acronymmonster, Alaska is the largest state in the US and is barely populated. There are over 100 state parks to explore the wilderness. Alaska is a country with 5000 glaciers, 3000 rivers, waterfalls, fjords, forests, steppes, meadows and 3 million lakes, a land of contrasts.
With a fifth of the American territory, Alaska measures 3,862 km from east to west and 2,285 km from north to south. Alaska is bordered by the Antarctic Ocean in the north, the Yukon region in the east, British Columbia in the southeast, the Gulf of Alaska and the Pacific in the south, and the Bering Sea and Lake Chukchi in the west. Only a quarter of the state is accessible by road, with many parts requiring a plane or boat to visit.
Moose, musk ox, caribou, wolves and bears live in the forests and tundra areas, while whales, porpoises and sea lions live on the coasts. The largest city is Anchorage with around 225,000 residents. The capital Juneau is the only capital in the United States that has no road connection and can only be reached by boat or plane.
The official state bird is the “Willow Ptarmigan”, a small, arctic grouse that lives in the swampy areas of the tundra. The mosquito is the most widespread and therefore referred to as the unofficial “state bird”!
In 2009 Alaska will celebrate the 50th anniversary of joining the United States. All visitors who will be 50 years old in 2009 were therefore allowed one day for free with the Alaska Railroad drive.
Climate and Weather
Alaska’s weather conditions are unpredictable. You should therefore carry a wide variety of clothing with you. The southern regions are mostly wet and mild, while the interior is cold and dry. Arctic, short summers in the north alternate with windy snow landscapes, freezing cold and months of darkness.
Main sights
Denali National Park
PO Box 9
Denali Park, Alaska 99755
www.nps.gov/dena/
Mount McKinley rises here, at 6,193 m, the highest point in North America. There are shuttle bus tours, you can watch game, hike and climb. You can find an article about Denali National Park here on our website.
Glacier Bay National Park
The park is 160 km west of Juneau and is not accessible by road. It is one of the most diverse and attractive protected areas. Sixteen imposing glaciers flow into the bay here. You can find more information here.
Alaska Marine Highway
The Alaska Marine Highway in the south offers an opportunity to visit the remote island world. Passengers can board at the port of their choice and continue their voyage after any length of stay. The decks are heated and covered and the cabins are well equipped. Glazed sun decks provide a clear view of the landscape. More information at www.alaska.gov/ferry and www.travelalaska.com.
WEST COAST – THE STATES OF THE PACIFIC COAST
When the west coast of the United States is mentioned, almost everyone thinks of the sunny state of California first . There, where the beaches are just as beautiful as the Beach Boys and the Bay Watch Girls, where the waves and the surfing fun never end.
West Coast
Alaska | Hawaii | California | Oregon | Washington
In fact, California has a lot more to offer than these stereotypes (and there are!) And the West Coast isn’t all California. Even Washington is part of the example of this. In the far north-west lies Alaska and in the south there is an island paradise, so to speak, as an outpost to the coast, which belongs to the United States as the state of Hawaii.
Please dress warmly!
Alaska is definitely one of the most exciting travel destinations you can ever go to in the USA. Of course, if you are looking for a classic summer vacation, you should keep your hands off Alaska. This country is something for nature lovers, for outdoor freaks, for adventurers and explorers – it is nothing for sun worshipers. Anyone visiting Alaska is visiting the largest state in the United States and at the same time the least populated. Space and loneliness will shape this journey. Less than a million people live in Alaska, half of them in Anchorage, the largest city in the country. By the way, the most pleasant temperatures are around Fairbanks. There the thermometer can climb up to 30 degrees for a few days in summer – if you have a good summer. Both Anchorage and Fairbanks are the hubs of Alaska, from here you can easily set off to more distant regions. Alaska is a land of overwhelming beauty and purity. Here you can experience pure nature, but must also cope with the inconveniences that it brings with it. Alaska is the ideal travel destination, especially for tourists who want to get closer to the Arctic.
On trails to Jimi Hendrix
In comparison, the state of Washington is much more “civilized”. It got its name, of course, from the first President of the USA, George Washington. The same applies to the capital of the USA, Washington DC (the abbreviation stands for District of Columbia), which is, however, in the east of the USA. This is a fact that sometimes confuses even Americans. In order to keep confusion as low as possible, the country is often simply referred to as the “Washington State”. If tourists from Germany immediately feel at home in Washington State, then that can be explained. With over 20 percent, Americans of German origin make up the largest population group here. Washington State has a lot to offer its guests from all over the world. Three national parks waiting to be hiked. Moderate climatic conditions are just as inviting as the altitude differences that are relatively easy to overcome. Seattle, a city that has developed into a pulsating metropolis, is ideal for the urban counter-program. Music fans should be interested to know that the city has erected a memorial to its “son” Jimi Hendrix. So that your hiking gear is complete, we have created a checklist for a hiking vacation in the USA.
California – wine and waves
South of Washington, it goes through Oregon to THE dream destination of many travelers to the USA: California. Endless beaches, a seemingly always shining sun and of course, not to forget 5-star destinations like San Francisco and Los Angeles, beckon here. The Pacific and its sometimes really breathtaking coastline are just as worth a visit as the relaxed lifestyle of the Californians. With San Francisco one of the most famous cities in the world is waiting for tourists. Gourmets from all over the world also meet here, because the city has an extraordinary density of excellent restaurants. Those who are more interested in stars than star cuisine can go to Los Angeles and Hollywood do not miss. Here the guest still experiences a fascinating mix of success, vanity, luxury and failed dreams. By the way, the Californian hinterland also has its charms. Wine lovers please take the time to visit the Sonoma Valley and Napa Valley wine regions.
Aloha in the ocean
If you are lucky enough to travel to Hawaii, you will be intoxicated without wine. Even the names sound like wanderlust, waves, flower chains and friendly people. You land at Honolulu International Airport, which is on the island of Oahu. From there it could theoretically go straight to Waikikki Beach. Or should you travel to one of the other islands that make up the state of Hawaii? For example to Maui with its breathtaking landscapes? To Hawaii Island with its volcano? To Kauai with its legendary good air, or, or, or. Who made the long way to Hawaii you should prepare yourself well for this unique group of islands. It’s so diverse that it would be a shame to miss something that might be in line with your own interests.
