The Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska contains nearly seventeen million acres and is the largest national forest in the United States. Although it might seem unlikely, productive farms operate in Alaska. The fertile Matanuska and Tanana valleys near Anchorage and Fairbanks produce many crops, including grains and vegetables. Because of the long summer days, some vegetables grow to astonishing sizes. Hard rock minerals are one of Alaska's most important undeveloped natural resources, including coal, gold, silver, copper, and many others.
Some geologists believe Alaska contains as much coal as the rest of the United States combined.
Every year millions of people visit the state of Alaska. Public schools in Alaska are listed in the Department of Education'sschool rolodex. Alaska Pacific University has a campus in Anchorage, one in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, and one in Homer. The term Alaska Native, referring to Alaska's original inhabitants, includes Aleut, Eskimo and Indian groups who differ from each other in ethnic origin, language and culture. Any Native Alaskan born before passage of the Act who could prove one-quarter blood Native ancestry, was eligible to enroll in a local and regional corporation, entitling him or her to 100 shares in both corporations.