Anchorage, Alaska (AK), United States

Facts & Statistics
Place Name	Anchorage
Pronunciation	AIN-kuhr-uhj
Place Status (Type)	city
Population	226,338 (1990)
Location	Alaska, United States, North America
Latitude	61°13'N
Longitude	149°53'W

Anchorage (AIN-kuhr-uhj), city (1990 pop. 226,338), Anchorage census div., S central Alaska, a port at the head of Cook Inlet; 61°13'N 149°53'W. It is the largest city in the state, the administrative and commercial heart of S central and W Alaska; one of the nation's key defense centers, and a vital transportation hub. Glenn Highway connects the city to the Alaska Highway at Tok and Delta and the Parks Highway to Fairbanks. The internatl. airport is a regular stop on intercontinental and transpolar flights. The unified city and borough include two U.S. military bases, Fort Richardson and Elmendorf Air Force Base. Anchorage is also the hq. for the major oil and gas companies in Alaska. With oil discoveries in Cook Inlet in the late 1950's, and the discovery of massive petroleum and natural gas reserves in the Prudhoe Bay region of N Alaska in 1968, the pop. has more than quadrupled. Tourism has also increased dramatically, due to improvements in transportation and the creation of numerous natl. parks. Anchorage was founded (1915) as construction hq. for the Alaska RR and grew as a RR town. The city was named for the anchorage at mouth of Ship Creek, the main port for construction materials and the engineering hq. for the RR. It also became a fishing center, a market and supply point for gold-mining regions to the N, and the metropolis for the farming of the Matanuska valley. World War II brought the establishment of the large military bases and the enormous growth of air and RR traffic. Its importance as a major refueling stop on the Great Circle Route has made it significant. The oil boom brought prosperity and growth in the 1970's and 1980's. The city suffered severe damage in the 1964 earthquake. Points of interest include Earthquake Park and several notable mus. A “Fur Rendezvous” winter carnival is held every Feb. in Anchorage. The city is the seat of Alaska Pacific Univ. Portage Glacier and L. Hood are nearby, and Mt. McKinley (Denali) is visible from the city. Anchorage Mus. of History and Art; Visual Arts Center. Historic Old Federal Building.; Ship Creek Salmon Viewing Platform; Potter Creek bird viewing area; Univ. of Alaska-Anchorage. Inc. 1920.