Page 24 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Alaska

22  INTRODUCING ALASK A

Yup’ik dancer performing at the Anchorage Native Heritage Center
Alaska’s position as the crossroads wealth to exploit. Conflicts between
between North America and Asia makes these two groups frequently escalate
it a militarily strategic site for the US. into national debate.
During World War II, the Aleutian Islands
were attacked by Japanese forces and People and Society
even today, Alaska is considered a first On the whole, Alaskans are friendly and
line of defense against potential troubles genuinely welcome visitors with great
from the west. Anchorage and Fairbanks pride in their home state. While typically
have army and air force bases, and there American in most respects, Alaskans are
are military installations across the state. usually younger and live a somewhat
Politically, the most sensitive issues more rugged life. Beyond the major
involve resource exploitation. One very cities, most people are accustomed to
vocal group of mostly younger people the remoteness, extreme cold, and high
view the land as a wilderness to be retail prices. Alaska has more hunting
preserved, while others who arrived in licenses per capita and more sub sistence
the earlier, more rough-and-ready days hunters living off the land than any
can be opportunists who see vast other state. More Alaskans own snow-
machines (the local term
for snow mobiles) and
all-terrain vehi cles than
other Americans, and
about one in 50 residents
is a private pilot.
All but about 30 percent
of today’s Alaskans are
transplanted from
elsewhere and are in the
state by choice. Many
have come for eco nomic
opportunities or with the
Colorful buildings in downtown Juneau in Southeast Alaska military, but a majority

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