Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million U.S. dollars. That was quite a huge sum back then. Compared to today's dollar, it would have been worth about 5000 percent more. Here is a picture of the check:
I found the following on the Internet :
* Alaska is as big as England, France, Italy and Spain combined * Only one city in Alaska has a larger population than the town of Framingham, Mass. (which has less than 70,000 people) * If New York City had the same population density as Alaska, only 16 people would be living in Manhattan * Alaska's largest city, Anchorage, covers 1,955 square miles (including the entire political municipal district). The state of Rhode Island covers 1,045 square miles while Delaware also covers 1,955. * More than half the world's active glaciers are in Alaska. * About 5 percent of Alaska is covered by glaciers. * There are more than 3,000 rivers and 3 million lakes in Alaska. * Alaska is one-fifth the size of the "Lower 48," larger than the next three biggest states combined, more than twice the size of Texas and 488 times larger than Rhode Island.
OK, one last thing, they say a picture is worth a thousand words, so:
I am glad that it finally wound up in the U.S.'s possession, but I think I will not move there from the second largest state. . . it is warmer down here in Texas. Now, you all have a great day, you hear?
ive been watching those tv shows about Alaska. And nope, wouldnt liverthere either.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know they were having shows about Alaska, what channel?
DeleteAlaska... I just asked my telephone how I'd get to Fairbanks Alaska, it told me it's 1983 miles and would take me 18 days to walk there. Probably longer if I stopped to sleep or do laundry :-)
ReplyDeleteI think my phone sent me via the Alaska Ferry.
2310 miles if I drive,45 hours....
Walking is much shorter, you can cut corners and take short cuts.
DeleteWOW 110 miles a day if you walk. That is really picking them up and putting them down.
DeleteI, maybe, could walk a mile or two at a time, so it would take me over 190 days to make that trip.
DeleteI've visited Alaska once, it was over the 4th of July. The sun was up most of the day, and one of the things on my bucket list was to sunbathe at midnight. I did that, but it wasn't particularly warm. I liked what I saw of the area we were staying.
ReplyDeleteDid you get a chance to pan for Alaskan gold?
DeleteI have an invitation to go to Alaska this summer with my youngest son and his family my d-i-l has family there. I doubt if I can afford the plane fare after I drive to NY and back. Alaska is the only state I haven't been in and I'd sure love to get there before I die!
ReplyDeleteTry and dig up the money, go with them to Alaska, and pan enough gold to pay yourself back. Sounds like a plan to me.
DeleteWe lived there the summer of 2001... and loved it. I've never been there during the winter but Bill went on a dog-sledding trip in Dec/Jan of 1999... stayed dark until 10am... got dark again early afternoon. I wouldn't like that. We'd go back in a heartbeat if it weren't such a long drive.
ReplyDeleteI guess I would have to take the ferry around Canada since I don't have a passport. I have been to Canada many times, but back then, didn't need a passport.
DeleteSpent a year there when in the military. It's not as cold as you might think. Enjoyed my time there.
ReplyDeleteI would imagine that would depend on where you were located. I believe that there is a warm ocean current that keeps the area near the coast warmer than the far northern inland area.
DeleteIt's a dry cold. :)
ReplyDeleteWatched a couple of seasons of Moutain Men. One of the Mountain men is a trapper in the outback. Looks interesting. But at 69 it would kill me in short order I'm sure. Or a bear would eat me.
Oh, if I were only 69 again (grin). At 72, I think I will stay where it is a little warmer.
DeleteThere are a lot of people in my van dwelling forum that go there during the summer. I am sure it is lovely but I have never had the desire to go. I think I will stay in Texas.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you MsB.
Delete