There are some places in the world that provide people with experiences that they can't get anywhere else. Anchorage, Alaska is one of these special destinations where the adventures you can go on will result in memories of a lifetime. Imagine gliding past the Chugach Mountains, Mount McKinley and the Prince William Sound in an airplane with just you and a couple other people. You have just breezed through the northernmost range on those that make up the Pacific Coast Ranges, an active volcano and a sound off the Gulf of Alaska. From the plane, you make twists and turns through valleys, see bears roaming the ice, and look down at many parts of Alaska not accessible on foot. You can be sure you'll have easy access to this experience because in Anchorage and in the whole state of Alaska where one out of approximately 58 people has a pilot's license. Alaska remains the most "flyingest" in the country—there are about six times as many pilots per capita than the rest of the U.S. Besides the natural scenes bringing adventurers and explorers to Anchorage, there is another side of the city for families. This is the part that appeals to people moving to Anchorage, Alaska. There is a unique family environment that propels people to this area, along with zoos, animal parks, indoor water parks, museums and 120 city parks. It's no wonder Anchorage moving companies are so busy.
Economy:
Another aspect of Anchorage, Alaska is its steady economy. Unlike the rest of the U.S., Alaska's economy has been stable for many years. The U.S. government and military presence and the oil industry in the state have contributed to this fact. Since the 1900s when Alaska became a manufacturing hub for the U.S. railroads, Anchorage has been successful for business and innovations. Since then, Anchorage has expanded to a large population of 279,243 people. Most of these people are employed by the state's transportation, military and government systems. Another successful way to make money in Anchorage is within their active port. Even back when the Russians first occupied the Southern coast of Alaska, Anchorage has been actively important goods. Today, about 95 percent of all goods that enter the U.S. come in through the Port of Anchorage. Through the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, goods and people are received here also in large numbers; making the airport the world's third busiest. In 2004, the Port of Anchorage Expansion Project was announced that will double the size of the port by 2014. Many people are moving to Anchorage and utilizing the large number of Anchorage moving services to take advantage of the growing opportunities provided at the establishments in Anchorage. There are always possibilities with the successful airport that employs around 10 percent of the city's workforce to the jobs that will be created with the expansion of the current port.
Tourism:
Tourists and locals alike also get to appreciate the abundance of wildlife here on a daily basis. There are black bears, grizzly bears, eagles, ravens, harbor seals, and whales, all mostly in their natural habitant. Many people are attracted to exploring the great outdoors here in Anchorage because of the accessibility to it all. One day, you could take a car down many scenic roots to glaciers and mountains. In the midst of it all you can hear an avalanche take place on a nearby path. Another day, there are tons of more possibilities— skiing, biking, kayaking snow boarding and fishing amongst so many other outdoor activities. At night, you can relax from your day out and find a place to stare up at the night sky and catch the Northern Lights. This phenomenon can only be seen in the polar regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The Auroras result from emissions of photons in the Earth's upper atmosphere. They appear as glows and rays of colorful lights that occur in the night sky.
On the city side of it all, there is a large arts scene with year-round events in world-class entertainment, sporting events, festivals and a jamming local scene. For this, Anchorage was named an All-America City in 2001. It's a place where people are truly proud to call home.
History:
Anchorage, Alaska was a Russian territory before it was sold to the United States for $7.2 million. After it became an American territory, the railroad construction site established there boomed along with other projects. A "tent city" was developed for people at the Ship Creek Landing for new arrivals and as the railroad headquarters. The population of people moving to Anchorage, Alaska quickly grew due to the long period of prosperity. However, during the years of 1914 to 1918 when World War I was taking place, industry and the economy of the southern region of Alaska dropped. Between 1930 and 1960, the economy started picking up again as Merrill Field, a civilian airport was established in 1930. In 1951, the Anchorage International Airport opened, bringing in people and goods from Europe and Asia. The U.S. military presence also expanded during this time as the Elmerndork Air Force Base and Fort Richardson were constructed. After these few projects were complete, Anchorage grew into a widely known and popular city.