Due to the vastness of Alaska with its rugged territory and large bodies of water,transportation presents a unique challenge to the entire state and its people. The following are some of the main modes of transportation used:
Traveling by Plane - For most Alaskans, flying is a necessary part of life due to the natural barriers posed to transportation by glaciers, mountains and waterways. Alaska has about six times as many pilots and fourteen times as many aircraft per capita as the rest of the United States. Lake Hood in Anchorage is the world's largest and busiest seaplane base. In 1996, one of every fifty-eight Alaskans was a registered pilot.
	Alaska Marine Highway - For coastal residents, the Alaska Marine Highway is very important. This ferry system, which carries passengers and automobiles, connects twenty-eight Alaskan towns with each other, with British Columbia, and with Bellingham, Washington.
Traveling by Train - The Alaska Railroad is another travel alternative for residents of the interior of Alaska. Covering 470 miles, it joins Seward, Anchorage, Fairbanks and points inbetween.
	Using the Barge - Traditional methods of moving freight are expensive and impractical in Alaska, if not impossible. Shipping freight by ocean-going barge is the preferred choice, particularly for Alaskan coastal cities.
Traveling by Car - Although Alaska offers many unusual ways to travel, most residents use personal automobiles. Often, however, the autos can only be used within a limited area due to the harsh geography surrounding many cities in Alaska.
Photos by: Arttoday.com and AK Division of Toursim ALL Text by: The Alaska Almanac 19th Edition INDEX - Geography - Wildlife - People - Resources - Events - State Facts Fast Facts - History - Government - Transportation - Climate - Communication