The Cordova daily times., 1923-02-20
FINE NEW MAP OF ALASKA IS
 ON MARKET

The United States Geological Sur vey has just published new map of Alaska, measuring 50 by 33 inches which embodies the results of all ex- plorations made up to 1923. The sur vey began it's work in Alaska in 1889, when the late Professor I. c. Russell was sent to examine the Yukon Val ley. The Yukon, fifth in size of North American rivers, was then unsurveyed, though it's general course had been sketched by explorers. Some of the other large rivers of Alaska had also been traced by explorers, but there were many other water courses hun dreds of miles long, entirely unknown except for the hazardous journeys of few prospectors and fur traders. Topographic surveys began in 1898 and have been continued up to the present. A total area of over 2O0,- 900 square miles, or about 35 per cent of Alaska's total area, has been explored by the Geological Survey. Adding to this the areas surveyed by the U. s. Coast and Geodetic Survey along the shore line, by the Interna- tional Boundary Commission along the Canadian frontier, and by other Federal agencies, shows that over half of Alaska has been mapped. In addi- tion to the results from the official surveys, the Geological Survey has in it's possession a large amount of data relating to the physical features of Alaska, obtained from private sources, but resulting chiefly from journeys of the indefatigable prospector
 All this information has now been coordinated and compiled in new general map of Alaska under the di- rection of R. H. Sargent, whose 15 years experience in the surveying of Alaska has enabled him to make the best cartographic interpretation of material of such varying degrees of accuracy. This work was begun be- fore the war, and in 1915 a prel1mln- ary edition of the Alaska map was published. Since then it has been re- vised and is now issued as Map of Alaska (E)," on scale of about 40 miles to the inch 1:2,6OO,O ,OO0). 1t can be purchased for 25 cents from the Director of the U. s. Geological Sur vey, address Washington, D. c. It is printed in four colors and shows the drainage, glaciers, railroads, and the principal settlements and wagon roads The relief is not indicated on this map, except for the location of the higher peaks. Another map of Alas ka on the same scale, now in print by the U. S. Geological Survey, will show the mountain ranges and plateaus As less than half of the Territory is sufficiently well surveyed to permit Of contouring, the relief on this map will be shown by shading.
 The Geological Survey has issued
 
 these the standard map is published on a scale of four miles to the inch. These maps have been a great value to the prospector and to the mining industry as a whole, and have served to indicate the best routes for rail and wagon roads. Many of the i'm portant mining districts are covered by maps on larger scale and show the physical features in the same de- gree of detail as do those made in the States.
 The surveying of Alaska's area or 5S6, 400 square miles, upon which the Geological Survey has been engaged for quarter of century, has been difficult. Every means of transport has been used by the explorers, 1n- cluding dog teams in winter, boats, canoes, rafts and pack horses in sum- mer. A single seasons work has sometimes involved journeys of 1,O0o miles by dog team, 1,5OO miles by ca noe, or 800 miles by horses. There is still much of Alaska that must be explored by the same methods, but the completion of The Alaska Railroad and the construction of many wagon roads and trails have greatly faciH- tated the work of the surveyors.