Called by American " the Last Frontier ", Alaska remains a still saved wild region constructive madness of the men. A gigantic country, insuperable mountains, few practicable roads and thousands of lakes, in one makes the paradise of the seaplane.

You realizes there as of the arrival in plane on Anchorage (1). Many multicolored spots shine on the lake Hood & Spenard. You would say pleasure boats, but while observing more attentively, surprised! They are seaplanes. Floating by hundreds, softly fixed on their mooring ropes, they await their pilots. A ceaseless ballet of takeoffs and sea landings, in the revolving din of propellers with full mode, punctuate this surrealist decoration.
To go in the places inaccessible to the other means of transport, the inhabitants have only one effective machine: the seaplane. Each plane contains an obligatory survival to mitigate the possible incidents in this hard climate. Sleeping bags, tries and dehydrated food are essential. A fishing tackle will be able to be even made extremely useful, if the plane is wedged several days in an isolated place. Each pilot must also have a weapon or a bomb anti-bear, if it should be posed in an infested place of wolves or grizzlies. Sometimes, for lack of place on board, Winchester clings directly under a wing of the seaplane. And ahead the Adventure!.

WHEN TO GO THERE?
The best period of the year to visit Alaska is between June and September (2): the ambient temperature varies from 18 with 25°, with a sky in general lenient. This country is a pure happiness for those which like the imposing landscapes. Snow-covered nodes of the very high mountains, as the Mount Mac Kinley (3) are reflected in giant lakes. The fjords, deep several tens of kilometers, pour their bluish glaciers in turquoise water. Inhabited by an extremely rich fauna, one finds there: seals, sea otters, polar bears, humpback whales, orcas and salmons, classified among the most beautiful specimens in the world.
The terrestrial landscape is not forgotten. It comprises more caribou (400 000 heads) that men (250 000 inhabitants). Moose, wolf, fox, black bear and grizzly, wapiti, sitka and stags, come to supplement this inventory. Make an experiment. Walk at the wheel of a vehicle a few kilometers from a village. Stop and have patience one moment. It would not be surprising which you meet a family of bear crossing the road. They perhaps will be immobilized a few moments, to observe you and, if they do not feel any danger, they will carry on their path in all serenity.

A FEW HISTORY
At the XVIII century, Vitus Bering, an explorator sent by the tsar of Russia, discovers this still unexplored and populated ground of Inuits. The country is difficult access, its climate hard and extreme will decimate the crew mainly. There remains only one handle of survivors to re-enter to the country. Their arms charged with skins of otters and foxes will encourage the merchants of fur to conquer new territories. In spite of its immense richness, the Russians put on sale this remote territory, which they find finally too difficult to manage. The US congress decides to buy it in 1867 per 7200000 dollars. In the whole beginning, Alaska practically does not interest the Americans who called it the " refrigerator ", but the things will change when discovers noble metal in the area of Nome. We are in 1898; the gold rush started. It will last until the exhaustion of the most significant mines.

ALASKA TODAY
the territory, created in 1912, will be proclaimed 49e State of the union only in 1959. It is largest of the American federation; it represents three times the surface of France. Its resources, significant out of oil and the fishing of salmon, are the first richness of the country. The current products for human consumption are much more expensive than in the other states of the union, because all is imported and conveyed by air. These material problems influential for much in the weak rate of tourist frequentation and it is a pity well, because the country contains natural beauties among most beautiful in the world.

(1) Anchorage is the largest city of the State, but it is Juneau the capital.
(2) the cold can reach records in winter and go down until less 60°.
(3) Culminating with 6194 meters of altitude, the Mount mac Kintley or Denali, is the highest node of North America.

CARD PRACTISES
Office of Tourism from the United States in Paris: 01 43 72 22 22
ALASKA ESCAPE (travel Agency on the spot held by French) P.O. Box 10-232 Anchorage, AK the 99510 USA e-mail: alaskaevasion@micronet.net Such: (1) -907-345-6511 Fax:(1) -907-345-9579