Southeast Regional Background
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Size of Southeastern Region:
Southeastern Alaska is a long narrow strip of mainland coastline that stretches about 500-600 miles long and about 120 miles wide on the east bordering Canada. The Southeast Panhandle in Alaska, from Metlakatla to Yakutat, extends about 500 miles along the coast. The saltwater shoreline is approximately 18,500 miles long. Southeastern Alaska's land area is approximately 35,000-35,138 square miles. About six of the Alexander Archipelago Islands to the west are about 1,000 square miles (each in area). Islands make up about 40 percent of the total land area.
Relative Location:
The Southeastern Region of Alaska is sometimes called the panhandle because it stretches away from the rest of the state just like a handle on a pan would. Southeastern Alaska is separated by large glaciers that are north of Yakutat and from direct overland travel to the rest of Alaska. The Southeast Alaska Panhandle lies west from the northern half of the Canadian province, British Columbia. Southeastern Alaska is by the Gulf of Alaska and off of the Pacific Ocean.
Climate of the Southeast Region:
The Southeast Region catches many north pacific storms. It also has the highest precipitation (rain, snow, sleet or hail) levels in Alaska. In low elevations the winter precipitation will usually fall as rain or snow. The lowlands in the southeast region are covered in temperate forest and a majority of its area is part of the Tongass National Forest. The Southeast has a maritime climate that is characterized by snowfall, mild temperatures and high levels of rain. Alaska's Inside Passage has the highest precipitation averages in the state and has the highest average temperatures. Ketchikan gets an average of 150 inches of precipitation a year. Malaspina Glacier, has approximately 145 inches of precipitation, that is including the melt water from 193 inches of snow. The wettest place in the state is Little Port Walter, about 220 inches.
Climactic Zone/ Precipitation and Temperature:
Southeastern Alaska is mainly part of the Maritime Climatic Zone. Plentiful moisture produces annual precipitation levels that get up to about 200 inches, especially in the southeastern panhandle. Snowfall makes up a large portion of the annual precipitation as well. the annual temperatures in the Alaska Range can get to the low 40's with the help of the maritime influence in the south.
Southeastern Alaska is a long narrow strip of mainland coastline that stretches about 500-600 miles long and about 120 miles wide on the east bordering Canada. The Southeast Panhandle in Alaska, from Metlakatla to Yakutat, extends about 500 miles along the coast. The saltwater shoreline is approximately 18,500 miles long. Southeastern Alaska's land area is approximately 35,000-35,138 square miles. About six of the Alexander Archipelago Islands to the west are about 1,000 square miles (each in area). Islands make up about 40 percent of the total land area.
Relative Location:
The Southeastern Region of Alaska is sometimes called the panhandle because it stretches away from the rest of the state just like a handle on a pan would. Southeastern Alaska is separated by large glaciers that are north of Yakutat and from direct overland travel to the rest of Alaska. The Southeast Alaska Panhandle lies west from the northern half of the Canadian province, British Columbia. Southeastern Alaska is by the Gulf of Alaska and off of the Pacific Ocean.
Climate of the Southeast Region:
The Southeast Region catches many north pacific storms. It also has the highest precipitation (rain, snow, sleet or hail) levels in Alaska. In low elevations the winter precipitation will usually fall as rain or snow. The lowlands in the southeast region are covered in temperate forest and a majority of its area is part of the Tongass National Forest. The Southeast has a maritime climate that is characterized by snowfall, mild temperatures and high levels of rain. Alaska's Inside Passage has the highest precipitation averages in the state and has the highest average temperatures. Ketchikan gets an average of 150 inches of precipitation a year. Malaspina Glacier, has approximately 145 inches of precipitation, that is including the melt water from 193 inches of snow. The wettest place in the state is Little Port Walter, about 220 inches.
Climactic Zone/ Precipitation and Temperature:
Southeastern Alaska is mainly part of the Maritime Climatic Zone. Plentiful moisture produces annual precipitation levels that get up to about 200 inches, especially in the southeastern panhandle. Snowfall makes up a large portion of the annual precipitation as well. the annual temperatures in the Alaska Range can get to the low 40's with the help of the maritime influence in the south.