Why in the News?

United States President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin are set to meet in Anchorage, Alaska to discuss how to end the war in Ukraine.

About Alaska:

• Acquisition: Largest U.S. state; Purchased from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million.
• Mountains: Includes Alaska Range with Mount Denali (20,310 ft), the highest peak in North America.
• Geography: Brooks Range separates central Alaska from the Arctic far north.
• Tundra: Northern regions feature vast tundra, permafrost, and Arctic coastal plains.
• Glaciers: Hosts 100,000+ glaciers, including Bering Glacier, the largest in North America.
• Forests: About 5% glacier ice, with extensive boreal and temperate rainforests in the south.
• Volcanoes: More than 70 active volcanoes in Aleutians and Alaska Peninsula.
• Seismic Activity: Located on the circum-Pacific seismic belt, prone to powerful quakes (e.g., 1964 Alaska earthquake).
• Water Resources: Contains 3 million+ lakes and 3,000+ rivers, among the most water-rich regions globally.
• Peninsulas: Includes Alaska Peninsula, Kenai Peninsula, and Seward Peninsula (linked to ancient Bering land bridge).

Geopolitical Significance of Alaska:

• Natural Resources: Rich in oil, gas (e.g., Prudhoe Bay discovery, 1968), fisheries, and minerals vital for U.S. energy security.
• Shipping Routes: Offers access to Arctic Sea routes, increasingly navigable due to climate change.
• Strategic Gateway: Provides access to the Arctic and Pacific, enhancing U.S. naval and air capabilities.
• Defense Value: Proximity to Russia made it critical in the Cold War and remains vital in Arctic competition.
• Military Presence: Hosts major U.S. bases and radar systems for missile defense and surveillance.
• Arctic Council Role: Strengthens U.S. claims in polar governance and Arctic Council negotiations.
• Scientific Hub: Serves as a center for climate, seismic, and polar ecosystem research.

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