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One of my goals in life is to go to Alaska. In
my speech today I will talk about Alaska's land, people and wildlife. Alaska comes from an Indian word meaning "The Great Land".
Alaska is our largest state--it is bigger than Montana, Texas, and California combined. It
is a land of mountains, glaciers, lakes, rain forest, and islands. Much of the land, about
60%. stays frozen all year. Alaska also has the tallest mountain in North America--Mount
McKinley. Not much of Alaska's land is used for farming, however since Alaska's summer
days are so long crops grow big and fast. That is why some Alaska farmers can grow 70
pound cabbages. Glaciers cover about 5% of Alaska. The world's largest concentration of
glaciers is in the 3.3 million acre Glacier Bay National Park.
Alaska has many different groups of people. There are 3
native groups. The first natives were Indians that came from Asia. Most Indians settled in
the southeast and the interior of Alaska. The second group of natives are the Eskimos. The
Eskimos are believed to have come by boat over 10,000 years ago. They settled mainly along
the coast. The last native people are the Aleutes, they settled in Alaska's peninsula and
islands. The first outsiders to come to Alaska were the Russians. They claimed the land
for Russia and later sold it to the U. S. The Russians were mainly interested in the furs
of the sea otters and seals. The next group of people to come to Alaska were the gold
miners from the U.S. and Canada. Along with the gold miners came people who opened shops,
banks, restaurents, hotels, etc. Many of Alaska's big cities began as mining towns. Others
who were "frontier people" came in and settled the land. Alaska became a state
in 1958. In the 1960's and 1970's the armed forces sent many people to set up bases. Also
many pipeline workers moved to Alaska in the 70's. Today in Alaska there are still
decendents of each group of people, however many have intermarried. You can see indians
practicing skills like totem pole carving, and Eskimos villages. Most of the people today
however are people from the U.S. and all over the world who have immigrated to Alaska. |
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Alaska's wildlife consist of many types of
animals. The Alaskan Brown Bear is the World's largest bear, and largest land dwelling
meat eater. There are also polar bears and grizzlies in Alaska. There are many fur bearing
animals like the beaver, land otter, wolverine, muskrat, and foxes. In the oceans, lakes
and rivers in and around Alaska you can find all kinds of fish like salmon and halibut,
and all kinds of animanls like sea lions and killer whales. The largest of the deer
family--the moose--lives in Alaska. It can weigh up to 1,500 pounds. Besides the moose
there are caribou, musk oxen, and bison. Alaska also has many types of birds like eagles,
puffins, hummingbirds, hawks, and owls. One of the smallest Alaskan animals is the
Snowshoe Hare. It has over sized feet like snowshoes for easy travel in the winter. It
changes color for protection from brown in the summer to white in the winter. Alaska is truly a "Great Land". It has may types of
landforms, people, and animals. When I go to Alaska I would especially like to see Glacier
Bay National Park, the Indian Totem poles, and the Alaskan Bald Eagle.
Ben Quillen
Alaska Speech--Outline |
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ALASKAI. Introduction: One of my goals in life is to
visit Alaska.
ll. The Land
A. Alaska means "The Great Land"
B. Alaska size
C. Different landforms found in Alaska
1.mountains
2. glaciers
3. rivers
4. lakes
5. rain forest
6. islands
D. Frozen land
E. Tallest mountain in N. America--Mt. McKinley
F. Farm land
1. 70 lb. cabbages
G. Glaciers
1. Glacier Bay National Park
lll. The people
A. Natives
1. Indians
2. Eskomos
3. Alutes
B. Outsiders
1. Russians
2. Gold miners
3. Frontier people
4. Others
IV. Wildlife
A. Bears
B. Fur Animals
C. Water Animals
D. Deer and oxen family
E. Birds
F. Small Animals
V. Conclusion
A. Alaska
1. landforms
2. people
3. animals
B. Want to see
1. Glacier Bay National Park
2. Indian Totem poles
3. Alaskan Bald Eagle |
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