Is the capital of Alaska Anchorage or Juneau?

Alaska is the most northern US state. On its territory there are not so many cities, and there are no large megacities at all.

Like any state in America, Alaska has a capital. But which city is the capital of Alaska? The answer to this question is contained in the text of the article.

State Territory

Alaska occupies a vast territory, which includes the Alaska Peninsula, a narrow strip in the north-west of the continent, the Aleutian Islands and the Alexandrovsky Archipelago. Alaska is an exclave, separated from the United States by Canada. The state is washed by two oceans: the Arctic Ocean from the north and the Pacific from the west and south. The Bering Strait in the west separates Alaska from the Russian Federation. The state of the state is special. On the coastline stretches a narrow strip of the Alaska Range, which is part of the world's greatest mountain chain - the Cordillera. The range is known not only for its beautiful landscapes and huge glaciers, but also for the location of the highest peak of the whole of North America - the mountains of Denali.

The height of this mountain, also known as McKinley, is 6,190 m. After the intercontinental plateau, the Brooks mountain range in the north of the state follows. The climate, depending on the region, is different: from a temperate sea on the Pacific coast to the Arctic continental in the interior of the peninsula. The Aleutian Islands also have a mountainous terrain. On the peninsula there are active volcanoes: Katmai, Augustine, Cleveland, Pavlova Volcano. The volcano of Redout erupted quite recently, in 2009. The nature of Alaska is incredibly beautiful, despite the permafrost, which covers a large area of the state.

The capital of Alaska: history

During the development of the territory by Russian pioneers at the turn of the XVII-XIX centuries, the center of Alaska was the city of Novo-Arkhangelsk (now Sitka). Then it was the center of fur and whaling. After the sale of this territory to America, the same capital of Alaska remained - Sitka. However, by the end of the 19th century, when the city ceased to be promising, the city of Juneau became the capital. Gold reserves were found here, then oil. In our time, the capital of Alaska is Juneau.

The capital of Alaska: contentious issues

The capital is usually the largest city, having the first place in terms of area and population. However, in Alaska this principle does not apply. The capital of Alaska is not the largest city: its population is about 35 thousand people. Such uniqueness gives grounds to believe that the capital of the state should be the city of Anchorage - the largest city of Alaska. By population, it surpasses Juneau by almost ten times. The infrastructure of the city is much better developed than in the capital. So the question arises, the capital of Alaska Anchorage or Juneau? The issue of the transfer of the capital from Juneau was repeatedly raised by the inhabitants of Anchorage, but, according to the survey, the population of other cities is against the transfer. Perhaps this is due to the fact that Juneau is located closer to the continental states.

Juneau - Anchorage: attractions

The capital of Alaska is a small town, which is traditionally considered the administrative center of the state. There are not many attractions in the city, as, for example, in Anchorage. Here you can visit the State Alaskan Museum, which presents historical details of the indigenous people of southeastern Alaska - the Tlingit, Russian history in Alaska and American domination. An interesting and original church of St. Nicholas, located in the city. This is an Orthodox church, built at the end of the XIX century by the Tlingit, who adopted Orthodoxy. An important role in the financial side of the city's life is ecotourism in incredibly beautiful, virgin places of northern nature.

In Anchorage, as in a larger city, more sights. Heritage Center, Imaginarium, Anchorage Cultural Center, Botanical Garden, Zoo and much more can be visited in the largest village of Alaska. The city that emerged as a key railway junction is connected to all the cities of the state, so many tourist routes begin here.

The unique location of the city - between the two channels of the Cook Gulf and the Chugach Mountains, makes it possible to simply enjoy the nature of the American north, visit the nature reserves and large national parks of the state. Anchorage is located four hundred kilometers from the world-famous Denali National Park, where the highest point of North America is.