Sarah, Part II, Alaska Facts

Alaska was discovered by Vitus Bering, a Dane in the employ of Russia, in 1741. I didn’t check, but I guess he discovered the Bering Sea, so he would ultimately be responsible for the Deadliest Catch on Discovery Channel. That's good. If he is also responsible for Ice Road Truckers, that's not so good.

The U.S. bought Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million. The 1880 census reported a population of 33,426 who were presumably included in the purchase.
The Prudhoe Bay oil and gas reserve was discovered in 1968. The Alaska pipeline was completed in 1977. It is 800 miles long and it cost $7.7 billion.

Native Alaskans include Eskimos, Indians and Aleuts. Inuits are Canadian Eskimos. Canadians are not voting in the US election this year. Just sayin'.

Alaska is dead last among the states in agriculture.

Alaski is number one among the states in commercial fishing and commercial fishing reality TV shows.

Petroleum and natural gas are Alaska’s most valuable industry.

25% of Alaska’s oil royalty goes to the Alaska Permanent Fund. The fund pays “dividends” annually to residents. The 2007 payment was $1,654. To qualify you have to live there all year and intend to stay, or at least declare that you intend to stay.

Government is Alaska’s major employment source. Hmmm....may be another reality TV show here. How's Wilderness Moose Tracker Pipeline Rangers sound? Discovery Channel, you know where to find me, let's talk...

The population of Alaska in the 2000 census was 629,000.

Tomorrow, we’ll look at Sarah.