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"The Great North" had been already inhabited by Eskimos and Aleutians for millennia when a Dane Vitus Bering and Russian explorer, Alexei Chirikov, "discovered" Alaska in 1741.

Under Russian control from that time forward, Alaska was later purchased by the U.S. as Secretary of State William Seward. It was he who arranged for more than $7 million dollars to pay for the huge frozen land mass in 1867, ridiculed by the popular press at the time as "Seward's Folly".

It was some 30 years later, however, when the famous Alaskan Gold Rush of 1896 attracted more than 30,000 people to the state to seek their fortune.

Today, Alaska is a major summer cruise destination with popular Alaska Inside Passage excursions featuring jaw-dropping scenic stops in Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway and Tracy Arm.

Alaska is also a haven for adventure travelers, attracted year-round by acres of (so far) unspoiled wilderness and, for the truly dogged, the annual Iditarod dog sled race in March.

Kid-friendly Anchorage:

For family-friendly attractions in Alaska, nothing beats Anchorage for a wide variety of fun activities.

Head to downtown Anchorage to the Anchorage Imaginarium, an interactive science museum for kids of all ages or, just south of downtown, spend an afternoon at the Alaska Zoo featuring grizzlies, polar bears, moose, and other native wildlife.

For a whole day of fun-till-you-drop activity, also don't miss the H2Oasis Water Park, ("a tropical island in the last frontier") with indoor water rides aplenty and featuring a wave pool and the Master Blaster water coaster.

More about Alaska travel around the Web:

TravelAlaska.com - The comprehensive guide to Alaska featuring guides to the state's regions, cities & towns, state parks, with maps and photo gallery, video clips. Also check out the trip planner offering a food and hotel guide, travel tips and kid-friendly attractions and a complete directory of Alaska cruise information.

Alaska State Parks - The complete picture including travel facts, information, history and lore surrounding each of Alaska's expansive public park areas including those on the Kenai Peninsula, Prince William Sound, Kodiak and more, with cabin rental fees, park admission, safety tips, related links.

Fairbanks Alaska Visitor Information - Local hotel owner offers a nifty guide to the area including news & updates, event calendar, local and nearby attractions, trip planner, budget travel ideas, food and lodging, and don't miss the Fairbanks Live! webcam. Cool.

Travel Juneau.com - What's doing in Juneau with an event calendar, maps & pictures, fun facts, directory of tours, boating & camping facilities, dining and hotels

Explore North - The entire region covered including Alaska, the Yukon Territory, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Faroe Islands with an extensive directory to lodging & hotels, tours, cruises, history and lore.

Alaska Summer Vacation Calendar:

also see -> Souvenir Shopping Alaska's Inside Passage

Alaska Beaches | Alaska Wineries | Christmas in Alaska

Travel Cruises | Iditarod Dog Sled Race

Moving to Alaska | Ski Alaska