As the most populated region in the state, Southcentral Alaska combines the majesty and excitement of the wilderness with charming, accessible cities.
Southcentral Alaska is a gateway to all of the thrills and wonder of America’s last frontier. Creaking, ancient glaciers, craggy peaks and forested rivers are just a short journey away from some of the state’s liveliest cities. Enjoy all the amenities of modern Alaska and visit a wide array of cultural attractions on the coast before venturing into the enticing wilderness that lies beyond the coast.
The Southcentral region is one of the best places in Alaska to learn about the state’s indigenous communities. Explore Anchorage, the largest city in the state, and visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Join one of the guided tours of the exhibits and villages for expert insight into the history of the region.
Linger in Anchorage to discover more of the city’s attractions. The Anchorage Museum and the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum examine different aspects of the state’s history. Take your family to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and the Alaska Zoo, where visitors of all ages can meet the region’s beautiful wildlife.
Discover the towns scattered along the Kenai Peninsula, which are known for their laid-back and creative atmospheres. Mingle with artists in Girdwood and browse the galleries of Homer and Old Town Kenai.
Head into the Wrangell Mountains around the Copper River Valley or hike into Chugach National Forest for wilderness escapes on your doorstep. Those that prefer to explore from the water can join kayaking or white-water rafting expeditions along the Kenai, Matanuska and Sixmile Rivers.
Fly into Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport then choose one of many different ways to travel around Southcentral Alaska. Water taxis skim around the coastline while the Alaska Railroad promises hours of uninterrupted scenery.
Unlike Far North Alaska, summers in Southcentral can have long stretches of hot weather, making it a perfect time to explore the region. The temperature in winter drops well below freezing, but the season offers the chance to ski on the Kenai Peninsula and maybe even see the northern lights.
![The Arctic Circle is one of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. As of 16 February 2015, it runs 66°33′45.6″ north of the Equator.
The region north of this circle is known as the Arctic, and the zone just to the south is called the Northern Temperate Zone. The equivalent polar circle in the Southern Hemisphere is called the Antarctic Circle.
The Arctic Circle is the southernmost latitude in the Northern Hemisphere at which the sun can remain continuously above or below the horizon for 24 hours (at the June solstice and December solstice respectively). North of the Arctic Circle, the sun is above the horizon for 24 continuous hours at least once per year (and therefore visible at midnight) and below the horizon for 24 continuous hours at least once per year (and therefore not visible at noon). On the Arctic Circle those events occur, in principle, exactly once per year, at the June and December solstices, respectively. However, in practice, because of atmospheric refraction and mirages, and because the sun appears as a disk and not a point, part of the midnight sun may be seen on the night of the northern summer solstice up to about 50′ (90 km (56 mi)) south of the Arctic Circle; similarly, on the day of the northern winter solstice, part of the sun may be seen up to about 50′ north of the Arctic Circle. That is true at sea level; those limits increase with elevation above sea level, although in mountainous regions there is often no direct view of the true horizon.
The position of the Arctic Circle is not fixed. It directly depends on the Earth's axial tilt, which fluctuates within a margin of 2° over a 40,000-year period,[2] notably due to tidal forces resulting from the orbit of the Moon. The Arctic Circle is currently drifting northwards at a speed of about 15 m (49 ft) per year; see Circle of latitude for more information.
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