With a geographic region that covers approximately 570, 000 square miles (365 million acres) Alaska is more than two times the size of Texas and one fifth the size of the entire Lower 48 combined. Planning a trip to such a large state can be difficult. The state can, however, be broken up into distinct geographical regions, each with their own special features and attractions. Here’s a brief overview of each region.

Southcentral Alaska

Southcentral Alaska revolves around Anchorage and the Matanuska-Susitna Valley (Mat-Su) just to the north. South of Anchorage lies the Kenai Peninsula, also part of this region. Homer and Seward on the Kenai, Palmer, Wasilla and Talkeetna in Mat-Su, and Whittier, Valdez and Cordova on Prince William Sound are popular destinations. The majority of Alaskans live in southcentral Alaska.

Climate is varied in southcentral Alaska, though in general moderated by its proximity to the ocean. Summers are usually pleasantly warm and winters cold with lots of snow. Wildlife is abundant, even in Anchorage itself. Moose, bears, whales, and bald eagles are not uncommon sights. Spring bird migrations are highlights in both Cordova and Homer, where shorebird festivals occur annually in May.

One can easily travel around southcentral Alaska by car. Rail and ferry routes are also available in this area, as are commercial and charter flights.

Interior Alaska

Fairbanks is the urban center of Interior Alaska, the largest geographical region of the state. This region encompasses the land between the Arctic Circle in the north and the Alaska Range to the south and extends to the eastern border of the state. Denali National Park is in the heart of Interior Alaska.

Temperature extremes for the state usually occur in the Interior. Summers are typically very warm (80° - 90°F), while winters are extremely cold, with temperatures in the thirty to forty below range not uncommon. Wildlife commonly seen in the Interior include caribou and moose, as well as a wide variety of birds. Bears, wolves, Dall sheep, and fox may also be seen.

Both paved and gravel roads make this portion of the state very accessible to the independent traveler.

Southeastern Alaska

Southeastern Alaska, or Southeast, as most Alaskans call it, consists of the panhandle of the state. This is the region of the state that most cruise ships visit – the land of the Inside Passage. Juneau is the major regional hub; Sitka, Haines, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Wrangell are other important towns.

The climate of Southeast is similar to the Pacific Northwest: mild winters, cool summers, and precipitation between 100-300 inches per year. Huge Sitka Spruce and Western Hemlock dominate the landscape in this temperate rainforest where one can view elk, bears, mountain goats, and black-tailed deer. In the water one may see humpback whales, seals, sea lions, and otters – and of course, lots of birds.

Travel throughout Southeast is mostly by water or air. Roads and vehicles exist within the towns, but there are very few roads connecting towns to each other or other regions of the state. Haines and Skagway are an exception, as they are accessible off the Alaska highway in British Columbia.

Arctic or Far North

The region north of the Arctic Circle perhaps typifies many people’s image of Alaska – vast snowy landscapes most of the year, periods of winter darkness, and fur clothing. Barrow and Kotzebue are the regional hubs for this part of the state. These villages offer goods and services to residents of outlying villages as well as lodging and restaurants for the outside traveler.

The arctic climate can be harsh. Summers are usually cool, especially in the coastal regions, with temperatures in the 30° - 40°F range common. Winters bring strong winds and deep cold. Despite these difficult living conditions, a number of creatures call the arctic home year round: hare, fox, and caribou are common. The arctic tundra is also the breeding/nesting ground for a large number of waterfowl and passerines.

One can drive into the arctic from Fairbanks on the Dalton Highway or fly into one of the regional hubs. From these hubs, residents travel to outlying villages and camps by small plane, snow machine, dog team or boat.

Western Alaska

Western Alaska is the region bordered by the Bering Sea on the west and Kodiak north to the Arctic Circle on the east. It also includes the Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian islands. Nome, Bethel, Kodiak, Dillingham and Unalaska are the population centers for this region.

Climate in western Alaska is a mixture of rain, fog, and wind very much influenced by its proximity to the Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea. Summers are cool (40°-50° F) and winters have average temperatures below freezing, but not below zero. Inland areas experience more extreme temperatures in both summer and winter. Precipitation in the coastal areas is particularly high, contributing to the ponds and lakes on the Yukon Delta which are important to nesting waterfowl. Western Alaska is well known for its large brown bears (Kodiak bears are the largest in the world) as well as its rich fishing resources.

Travel in Western Alaska is primarily by air. Residents may travel between villages or various localities by boat or snow machine.