Alaska Word Search

ANCHORAGE – Alaska’s largest city with over 290,000 residents, serving as the state’s economic and cultural hub. Located in south-central Alaska, it’s a gateway to wilderness adventures and outdoor activities.

AURORA – The Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights, a spectacular natural light display visible in Alaska’s night sky. Caused by solar particles colliding with Earth’s atmosphere, creating colorful dancing lights.

BERING – Named after Vitus Bering, the Danish explorer who led Russian expeditions discovering Alaska in 1741. The Bering Sea and Bering Strait separate Alaska from Russia by 55 miles.

CARIBOU – Large migratory deer species found throughout Alaska’s tundra and boreal forests. These animals travel in vast herds, providing essential resources for Alaska Native peoples and supporting Arctic ecosystems.

DENALI – North America’s highest peak at 20,310 feet, formerly called Mount McKinley. The name means “the high one” in the native Athabascan language, representing Alaska’s most iconic natural landmark.

FAIRBANKS – Alaska’s second-largest city located in the interior, known for extreme temperature variations and excellent aurora viewing. Founded during the gold rush, it serves as a cultural and educational center.

FISHING – A cornerstone of Alaska’s economy and culture, with commercial fishing generating billions annually. Salmon, halibut, and crab fisheries support communities and provide world-renowned seafood to global markets.

GLACIER – Massive rivers of ice covering much of Alaska, with over 100,000 glaciers statewide. These ancient ice formations shape landscapes, attract tourists, and serve as climate change indicators worldwide.

GOLD RUSH – The late 1890s Klondike and Nome gold rushes brought thousands of prospectors to Alaska. This transformative period established towns, sparked population growth, and shaped Alaska’s frontier character permanently.

IDITAROD – The famous 1,000-mile dog sled race from Anchorage to Nome, held annually since 1973. Commemorates a historic serum run and celebrates Alaska’s mushing heritage through grueling wilderness competition.

INUIT – Indigenous peoples inhabiting Alaska’s Arctic and sub-Arctic regions for thousands of years. Their rich culture, subsistence lifestyle, and traditional knowledge remain vital to Alaska’s identity and communities today.

JEWEL – Jewel Kilcher, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter raised in Homer, Alaska. Her music often reflects her Alaskan upbringing and frontier lifestyle, achieving international fame in the 1990s.

JUNEAU – Alaska’s capital city, accessible only by boat or plane, with no road connections. Nestled between mountains and sea, it serves as the state’s political center with approximately 32,000 residents. 

KODIAK – Alaska’s largest island, famous for massive Kodiak brown bears weighing up to 1,500 pounds. The island also features rich fishing grounds and a significant Alaska Native cultural presence.

MOOSE – Alaska’s largest land mammal, with bulls weighing up to 1,600 pounds and standing seven feet tall. These iconic animals inhabit forests and wetlands, providing important subsistence resources.

MUSHER – A dog sled driver who commands and cares for sled dog teams. Mushers maintain Alaska’s traditional transportation method, competing in races and providing wilderness tours throughout the state.

NOME – Historic gold rush town on Alaska’s western coast, famous as the Iditarod’s finish line. Despite its remote location on the Bering Sea, Nome remains a vibrant community and regional hub.

OIL – Alaska’s primary revenue source since the 1968 Prudhoe Bay discovery, providing billions in state income. The petroleum industry transformed Alaska’s economy and funds essential government services through oil taxes.

ORCA – Killer whales inhabiting Alaska’s coastal waters, particularly Southeast Alaska and Prince William Sound. These intelligent marine mammals attract wildlife enthusiasts and play crucial roles in marine ecosystems.

PIPELINE – The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System stretches 800 miles from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, transporting crude oil across permafrost and mountain ranges. Completed in 1977, it revolutionized Alaska’s economy.

SALMON – Five species of Pacific salmon return to Alaska’s rivers annually in massive spawning runs. These fish support commercial and subsistence fisheries, wildlife, and represent Alaska’s natural abundance.

SEWARD – Named after William Seward, the U.S. Secretary of State who purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867. The coastal town serves as a major port and gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park.

TOTEM – Carved wooden poles created by Alaska Native peoples, particularly Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures. These monuments tell stories, commemorate events, and display family crests through intricate artistic designs.

TUNDRA – Vast treeless Arctic landscape covering much of northern Alaska, characterized by permafrost and low-growing vegetation. This harsh but beautiful ecosystem supports unique wildlife adapted to extreme conditions.