Anchorage is the northern most city of USA in the State of Alaska with an estimated population of 298,610 people. It is the largest city in north of 60th parallel. It is affectionately called Kiplinger because of its ranking as the most tax friendly city in all of the USA. The nearest airport is Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, which is almost 10 kilometres south of downtown Anchorage.
Anchorage is gifted with immense natural beauty of alpine vegetation and wildlife in abundance. The Alaska Botanical Garden is the home of over 1,100 species of perennials and has its own wildflower walk. The Alaska Zoo is currently home to more than 100 birds and mammals comprising of 50 different species. Home to rare species of the Siberian and Amur tigers, Bactrian camels, yaks and brown bears, the zoo is a major tourist attraction. The Alaska Zoo also specializes in animal conservation and rehabilitation.
Adventure lovers trek through the Chugah Mountains and go rafting in the sparkling water of Cook Inlet. Wildlife and glaciers make a memorable trip for tourists in the Kenai Fjords National Park. There are more than 100,000 variously shaped glaciers that adorn the frozen lands of Anchorage.
The mountain rivers are abundant with trout and salmon, and both the natives as well as the tourists love to indulge in a spot of fishing. Prince William Sound is a picturesque spot that homes glaciers, waterfalls and bays where tourists indulge in kayaking and sailing. Tourists also love to watch the wildlife and view whales in their natural habitat.
The Anchorage Museum at the Rasmusen Center sheds light on Alaska's art, history, science and Alaskan native culture. The Alaska Native Heritage Center is an educational and cultural haven for the natives, where the life history of Alaska's 11 major native Indian tribes is taught.
Anchorage is the home to University of Alaska. Beside the University is a small lake called The Goose Lake, which is a popular swimming hole in the summer.
Other historical landmarks in Anchorage include the Anchorage Museaum, Flattop Mountain, the Oscar Anderson House Museum, the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum, the Holy Family Cathederal, the Elias National Park and Preserve, Kincaid Park, Portage Glacier, Turnagain Pass, Matanuska Glacier, the H2 Oasis Indoor Waterpark, Nancy Lake State Recreational Area, Lake Hood and Ptarmigan Peak.