| In 1867 the United States purchased Alaska from Russia for less than
two cents an acre. Find and circle Alaska on your globe. It can be found
at 65N/150W.
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| Turn to a world map in your social studies textbook and find Alaska.
Use this map and its scale to measure the width of the state from its
eastern boundary to its west coast at the point where it is closest to
Russia. How wide is Alaska at this point? (1.) _________________________
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| Now, use your globe and the globe's mounting ring to measure
Alaska's width at the same location. What is the distance on the globe?
(2.) ____________________________ Is the distance you measured across
Alaska the same on the globe as it was on the textbook map? (3.)
________ Which distance is the most accurate?(4.)
__________________________________________ Why? (5.)
______________________________________________________________
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| What is the name of the river that flows from east to west across
Alaska? (6.) _______________ In the central part of the state, just
south of this river you will find a small dot near 63N/150W. What does
this dot stand for? (7.) ______________________________ This mountain
peak, at 20,320 feet, is the highest elevation on the continent of North
America. What is the name of the mountain? (8.)
___________________________________
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| Find the Aleutian Islands. The Aleutians are part of Alaska and they
extend southwest and west from the southern end of the state. Follow
them westward until you come to a brown line. This line is called the
International Date Line. Why do you think the line zigzags to the west
near the western end of the Aleutian Islands? (9.)
___________________________________________
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| Next, circle the Hawaiian Islands at 25N/165W. Are the Hawaiian
Islands closer to California or to Alaska? (10.)
__________________________
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Place a small "X" on Honolulu, Hawaii.
How far is Honolulu from the equator? (11.) _____________________
Compare that distance with Miami, Florida's distance from the equator.
What kind of climate do you think Honolulu might have? (12.)
__________________________________
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| To enjoy the warm breezy climate and the beautiful beaches and
landscapes, millions of tourists travel to Hawaii for vacations each
year. Suppose that you could visit Hawaii on your next vacation. Use
your globe mounting ring to draw a route from your hometown, or a place
near it, to Honolulu. How far would it be and how long would it take you
to fly there? Make a list of some states you might fly over on such a
trip. |
