Direct Swap 1: Alaska

 

Today I received my first postcard from Postcrossing. It wasn't an official card but a direct swap I requested as I am attempting to collect a postcard from every state. I've always wanted to travel to Alaska because of the sense of adventure and danger it is often portrayed with but know almost nothing about the state itself and what I do know was learned from the television show "Men in Trees." It is a great show if your looking for something new to watch. Its full of the gorgeous scenery in Alaska but wont tell you much about the state.

So, after receiving this I did a small amount of internet research and this is what I can tell you about the State.

-Alaska is the largest State at more than the size of Texas, California, and Montana combined and stretches the width of the Lower 48 States.

-It was purchased from Russia in 1869 for 7.2 Million Dollars which is about 2 cents per acre.

-The Capital is Juneau though Anchorage is the largest and only city in Alaska with over 100,000 people.

-Daylight hours range from 5.28 hours to 19.21 hours.

-There are more than 70 active volcanoes, 100,000 glaciers and 17 of America's 20 highest peaks.

-State Motto: North to the Future

-Nicknamed the Land of the Midnight Sun and the Last Frontier

Also, if anyone is interested, the postcard photo was taken by Mark Kelley. If you'd like to see more of his photographs of Alaska visit: http://www.markkelley.com/