Alaska's regions
Southcentral Alaska
See Anchorage, then step out into the wild areas
Alaska.com
Southcentral Alaska, the home of most of Alaska's population, could also be considered Alaska's playground.
This diverse region includes rugged coast with fertile bays and fjords, two national parks, agricultural lands, oil and natural gas fields, forests, glaciers, and lakes and streams that are spawning grounds for salmon and other species.
The region runs from Canada to the western shore of Cook Inlet and from the Alaska Range south to the Gulf of Alaska.
The largest city is Anchorage, with a population of 260,000, which is about 40 percent of the state's population. Most of the state's largest businesses are based there, and the city is Alaska's cultural, shopping, medical and transportation hub. The towns of Eagle River and Girdwood are part of the Municipality of Anchorage.
South of Anchorage is the Kenai Peninsula, where the popular destinations of Homer and Seward sit. The Matanuska-Susitna Valley, including Palmer, Wasilla and Talkeetna, is to the north of Anchorage.
Prince William Sound and its towns of Cordova, Valdez and Whittier are along the Gulf of Alaska coast.
Wildlife
Sharp-eyed visitors will often see a lot of wildlife: black and brown bears, moose, Dall sheep and caribou. Whale watchers in Prince William Sound and in the Gulf of Alaska keep their eyes open for humpback, killer and gray whales. In Cook Inlet and Turnagain Arm, pods of beluga whales swim close to shore.
Bald eagles are common year round, and May's warm weather heralds the arrival of millions of migratory birds: loons, trumpeter swans, ducks and geese.
Outdoors
Popular summer outdoor pursuits include cycling, fishing, camping, golf, hiking, sea kayaking, and river rafting. Local guides and stores provide information and equipment. In addition, there are glaciers to see, by boat, by plane and by car.
The winter brings cross-country and downhill skiing, snowmobile riding, ice skating and the nighttime viewing of the northern lights.
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