Alaska is the largest exclave in the world in terms of area with around 750,000 inhabitants. Alaska has its only land border with Canada in the east and is both the westernmost and northernmost state in the United States of America. The Alaska area also borders the Pacific Ocean to the south, the Bering Sea to the west and the Arctic Ocean to the north.

Alaska is mostly very mountainous and the highest point in the country is Mount McKinley at 6,190 meters, which is also the highest mountain in North America. The largest river in the country is the Yukon River.

The majority of Alaska's land area consists of large forest areas, almost 1,100 lakes inland and countless fjords in the coastal areas.

Alaska's largest cities include Anchorage, Juneau, Sitka, Fairbanks, College, Ketchikan, Wasilla, Kodiak, Palmer, Bethel and Homer.

Alaska has significant oil reserves, making it one of the richest states in the USA. In addition to petroleum, Alaska has other mineral resources such as copper, iron, gold, silver, tin, coal and lead. Another important source of income is wood products, salmon, cod and paper products.

The most important attractions in Alaska include Glacier Bay National Park, Denali National Park, Seward and Kenai Fjords National Park, the scenic Alaska Railroad, White Pass and Yukon Route Railway, McKinley Explorer and Denali Star Train, Juneau Whale Watching, the Kenai Fjords, Pitchfork Falls, Tracy Arm Fjord in Juneau, Brooks Falls, Russian River Falls, Hubbard Glacier, Antique Car Museum in Fairbanks, Reindeer Farm in Fairbanks, Nuggets Falls, Mount Marathon in Seward and the Misty Fjords National Monument in Ketchikan.

The capital of Alaska is Juneau with only around 34,000 inhabitants. A special feature of the remote city is that it has no road connection to the outside world, but can only be reached by plane or ship.

By far the largest and most important city in Alaska is Anchorage with around 310,000 inhabitants. Anchorage is located in the south of Alaska and is the economic and tourist center of the American state.

The city of Anchorage has the most important port, the two universities and the largest theater in Alaska. Other important sights are the Alaska Zoo, the Anchorage Museum, the earthquake park, the Jewish Museum, the Hilltop ski area, the Portage Glacier not far from Anchorage, the Alyeska cable car to the Alyeska ski area, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, the local history museum , the train station building, the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, the Holy Family Cathedral, the Captain Cook Monument, the Anchorage Alaska Temple, the historic city hall, the Alaska Stehood Monument, the city park and the famous Ship Creek with its millions of salmon.

In July 2017 I visited Alaska for four days for the only time so far. I reached Alaska after around 22 hours of travel from Panama, after a total of three flights with stopovers in Mexico City and Los Angeles.

Anchorage is a great city in the summer, not crowded with tourists, where you can just feel good.

On the first day I took a big city tour by bus in the morning and in the afternoon I visited the Hard Rock Cafe and watched the many fishermen hunting for the coveted king salmon on Ship Creek.

I had already booked a full-day excursion for the second day a few weeks before for 220 US dollars. In a minibus with an interesting international cast, we first went up to the Alyeska ski area with the ultra-modern cable car, then on a breathtaking boat tour to the Portage Glacier and, as a final stop, to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.

It was a fantastic day with so many highlights, such as the unique landscape in Alyeska, the huge glacier with its bright blue colors, the many bears, reindeer and musk oxen in the animal park or just the impressive Seward Highway, which is exciting every kilometer and never gets boring.

Every day I was at the legendary Ship Creek for at least two hours and just watched the many salmon fishermen.

Alaska gave me an unforgettable time and is without a doubt one of the most fascinating travel destinations in the world. For me, the city of Anchorage is also the most pleasant big city I have ever been to.

Alaska, you'll definitely see me again one day.