Alaska was in Russian hands from 1733 to 1867, the territory was later sold by cash-strapped Imperial Russia in 1867 to the US for about 2 cents an acre or $7.2 million in 1867. The American government was lampooned in the press for the purchase until the discovery of gold in the territory in 1888. Later, in 1912, the territory officially became part of the United States.

Today, you can visit Anchorage and Denali National Park for some unique things to do and some spectacular sightseeing. Anchorage is a city set in some beautiful coastal scenery, while Denali National Park offers some great opportunities to view wildlife and camp, dubbed the sub-Arctic Serengeti, this area has certainly earned its moniker.

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Anchorage Holidays Planner

Anchorage is in the south-central part of Alaska, it has three downhill skiing and snowboarding areas for during the winter months, while during the warmer seasons, it has over five golf courses in the area that you can experience. Thanks to the midnight sun in the area, tee times range from 5am until almost midnight. This is just one of many unusual tourist opportunities that are rarely found elsewhere.

Also in the winter, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race has a ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage on the first Saturday of March. The gruelling race lasts 9 to 15 days and is 1049 miles long, from Anchorage to Nome. It is part of the heritage of the state, and has been run since 1973.

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One of the nicest things to do while you are in Anchorage is to take a day cruise through either the Prince William Sound or the Kenai Fjord. If you want to see some spectacular glaciers, then you will want the cruise that takes you through the Sound. If you would prefer the chance to see some whales breaching, then the Fjord would be the cruise you would want.

As America's frontier state, you can enjoy some unusual opportunities even in the middle of the city. You can angle for salmon or trout in Ship Creek in the shadow of a skyscraper if you would like, or maybe, if you time it right, you can watch salmon going upstream to spawn. While in town, you may want to visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center where you can see cultural artefacts of the diverse cultures of Alaska. There are outdoor village sites where you can explore stories from the past, see traditions and encounter the contributions of Native Alaskans to the state. Here you can see the many languages, creeds and philosophies that make up the Native Americans of this state, including the Eyak, Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian. You may want to stop by the Oomingmak Musk Ox Producers Co-op where you can pick up a unique souvenir, a hand-knit garment knit with the underwool of a musk-ox, called qiviut.

Denali National Park, about 386 km from Anchorage, is about 3 million acres in size and encompasses the highest peak in North America, Mount McKinley, or Denali as it's known in Alaska. The park, originally much smaller in size, was named after the President when it was created in 1917, but Alaskans have always only referred to the peak and the park by its name of Denali in the Alaskan tongue which means 'the high one.'

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