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29/03/2007 March
Alaska: A Fabled Shangri-la.
A land of superlatives and adventure, Alaska possesses a mythical aura which
cannot be put into words. Deriving its name from Alayeska, an Athabascan
word meaning "great land of the west", the largest state has an
area of 965,606sq km (600,000sq miles).
Alaska forms the very watershed of USA. Aptly called America's 'last
frontier', it spans terrain from vast ice fields to lush rainforests,
sweeping tundra, glacially excavated valleys, and contains containing
17 of the USA’s twenty highest peaks. Home to 3 million lakes, over
3000 rivers, Aptly called America's 'last frontier', Alska is the largest
state, with an area of 965,606sq km (600,000sq miles), bigger than the
France, UK, Spain and Italy put together.
Topography is evidently a key consideration when travelling in Alaska.
Generally speaking, the sate consists of five distinct zones: Inside Passage,
Southcentral, Interior, Far North and Southwest.
The sleepy town of Girdwood, 37 miles south of Anchorage, the largest
city of Alaska, is a secret haven for skiers. Skiers can treat themselves
to dinner at Alaska's eminent Japanese-owned Alyeska Prince resort, Alaska's
largest winter sports complex.
Located between the two arms of Cook Inlet and the commanding Chugach
Mountains, Anchorage is home to over forty percent of the population of
Alaska.
Travel facts
Best time to go:
January to April for the ski season. Late spring and summer have longer
days and warmer temperatures
Currency: US dollar
Language: US English and native Alaskan languages
Castro publishes article criticizing US on biofuel use:
Ailing Cuban President Fidel Castro has published an article severy
criticising the use of biofuels by the US, in his first article since
undergoing surgery last year.
US Marines bans large tattoos:
The US Marines are banning the wearing of large tattoos, saying they
do not represent "traditional values".
US cedes top spot in Global technology use:
The United States has lost its position as the world's primary engine
of technology innovation, according to a report issued by Geneva based
World Economic Forum.
Business Headlines
Yahoo, McClatchy link for news:
Internet search engine Yahoo has signed a deal to feature foreign news
from McClatchy, the third largest US newspaper group.
Sports Headlines
Murray reaches Miami semi-finals:
Andy Murray has reached the semi-finals of the Miami Masters after his
last-eight opponent Andy Roddick was forced to retire through injury.
Maradona admitted to hospital:
The Argentinean football star Diego Maradona has been taken to hospital
suffering from the effects of excessive eating, drinking and cigars.
Entertainment Headlines
Joss Stone storms US chart
British soul singer Joss Stone's third album has gone straight to number
two in the US Billboard album chart.
Fleming’s gun fetches £12,000:
An engraved revolver owned by James Bond author Ian Fleming has been
sold at auction at Knightsbridge, London for £12,000. 29/03/2007
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