Work in groups. Look at the picture, and discuss what you know about Alaska (its location, climate, native people, culture, ...).
Read the text and check your answers.
If you go to the American state of Alaska, you might find the traditional lifestyle there interesting. Although Alaska is quite large, with nearly 1.7 million square kilometres, it has a small population of about 730,000.
The native peoples in Alaska still maintain many of their traditions. They keep their old ways of making arts and crafts alive. Various native groups have their own special styles of carving or weaving as well as their unique tribal dances and drumming. Therefore, visitors to Alaska may experience some of their culture in their villages. They may see performances of traditional music and native art in galleries and museums.
Alaska is also known for its unusual method of transport - the dogsled. Today, dog sledding (= mushing) is more of a sport than a true means of transport. The best-known race is the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, a 1,510 km race from Anchorage to Nome. Mushers from all over the world come to Anchorage each March to compete for cash and prizes.
