Tanana Travel Guide, Alaska

Tanana, AK US - Overview: A Region Rich in Culture & Festivals

The small town of Tanana in the US province of Alaska has a small population of only 315, as per the last recorded census of 2008. Located on the northwestern region of Alaska, the city captures a total of 16.5 square miles of area of which 12.3 square miles is land and the rest water.

Geography

The Tanana River, which rises from two head streams covered by Wrangell Mountains, flows about 900 kilometers and joins the Yukon River, the main tributary of Yukon. The region was first explored by traders from Russia in the second quarter of the 19th century. The Tanana valley is a very famous good producing area and is a major farming region of Alaska. The river is followed by the Alaska Highway during its entire course.

Demography

The last census shows a population density of just 27 persons per square mile and 15.7 was the value of average housing density of the region. The per capita income of Tanana was $12,505 and around 27% of the population lives below the poverty line.

Culture & Festivals

This small town of Tanana is very renowned for its festivals, which are not only colorful, but also eventful. The Alaska Hummingbird Festival, held in Ketchikan, is a very famous one and attracts visitors to see the large variety of hummingbird that is found in the region. The Stikine River Garnet Festival boasts the largest collection of bald eagles in the world. This festival is hosted in Wrangell. It showcases about 16000 snow geese, 150,000 shore birds and 11,000 sand hill cranes. Nearly 125 species of birds are represented. Events include arts and crafts fair, workshops and river birding opportunity.

Then there is the Whale Fest Kodiak, in which a particular community of Tanana celebrates marine animals and whales. The festival is celebrated at the time during which gray whales pass the Kodiak islands. The Copper River Delta Shore Festival is celebrated in Cordova during the month of May when the tidal flats produce a soft quivering light with shorebirds’ activity. It is an ideal opportunity for those, who love to see migrating birds forming groups of thousands. Many community events, activities and workshops are organized during the festival, which attracts tourists from across the globe. The Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival is not only a festival, but also an active event in which many debates about wildlife protection are held.

Tanana, though being small in size, still attracts thousands of tourists and would continue to do so in years to come, as it has strived hard to maintain the beauty and charm of its scenic wonders.