1. Popular Misconceptions About Alaska

2.  The arctic region is warmed by heat from ocean radiated through floating ice.  Thousands of square miles of Alaska lowland are colder than point Barrow. “The farther north you go the colder it gets.”

3.  At Fairbanks, some 120 miles south of the Arctic circle, it is sometimes in the 90s during summer.  The average snowfall in Arctic lowlands is less than the average in Virginia. “Alaska is a frigid land of ice and snow.”

4.  Eskimo word “iglu” means building and refers in Alaska to a house of earth and wood.  Snow houses are occasionally built for emergency use on the trail, but are never used as permanent dwellings.  Most Eskimos have never seen an “igloo” in the sense that those in the Lower 48 have come to think of domed ice houses. “Eskimos live in ice houses.”

5.  Glaciers can form only in relatively warm climates with high mountains and heavy precipitation.  Glaciers are found only in Alaska’s warmer areas. “Alaska’s many glaciers indicate a cold climate.”

6.  Alaska contains about 385,000 square miles of well- developed forest.  65,000 square miles of land suitable to agriculture.  35,000 square miles of grazing land  Cabbages, potatoes, and other hardy vegetables flourish far north of the Arctic circle.  Roses, lilacs, peonies, lilies, honeysuckle and many varieties of bushes and berries grow profusely. “Nothing green grows in Alaska.”

7.  The Arctic is never in total darkness because of the reflection of light form below the horizon and the bright moon light on the snow. “There is continuous darkness for three or four months in the Arctic.”

8.  Oil and fishing are the most important industries, exceeding in annual value of product both mining and fur-taking. “Gold mining is the principal industry of Alaska.”

9.  Totem poles are found primarily in southeastern Alaska and are created by the Tlingit Indians.  You will not find totem poles in any Eskimo villages. “Totem poles can be found in every Eskimo village.”

10.  The Klondike gold-mining area is in Yukon Territory, Canada. “The Klondike is in Alaska.”