GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE TERRITORY OF ALASKA. INTRODUCTION. This booklet has been prepared in order to make available in compact form the more important facts regarding the Territory of Alaska. Grateful acknowledgment is made to other departments of the Government which have cooperated by revising the sections relating to work under their jurisdiction or by furnishing the latest statistics. The Department of the Interior is unable to give information regarding business conditions other than that contained in this booklet, and it is impossible for the department to give prospective settlers advice regarding the portion of the Territory offering them the best opportunities. Persons who contemplate settling in Alaska should read this booklet carefuly in order to obtain knowledge of the general conditions in the Territory. It should be borne in mind that pioneer conditions still prevail in the greater portion of Alaska. As many erroneous statements have gained circulation regarding the Territory, prospective settlers should, when practicable, verify all statements by consulting the Government reports, which are generally available at the libraries in the larger cities, or by correspondence with officials mentioned in this booklet. The Government does not pay for the transportation of settlers to Alaska nor does it advance money for this purpose. Federal excise taxes, internal revenue taxes, and immigration laws are the same in Alaska as in other portions of the United States. There are no restrictions on immigration into Alaska from other parts of the United States. A list of United States Geological Survey publications on Alaska may be obtained by addressing the Director, United States Geological Survey, Washington, D. C. A price list of miscellaneous Government publications on Alaska may be obtained from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. The annual report of the Governor of Alaska, which contains a review of the progress of the Territory during the year, may be obtained free from the Secretary of the Interior as long as the supply lasts. The local administration of Territorial matters is under the direction of the Governor of Alaska, whose office is at Juneau. Correspondence should in all cases be addressed to the office or officer mentioned in this booklet. 66 HISTORICAL SKETCH. Alaska derives its name from an English corruption of the native word "Al-ay-ek-sa," probably meaning "The great land" or "Mainland." The region now known as Alaska was first visited by the Russian officers Bering and Chirikov in 1741. Russian traders and trappers soon entered the country, and through their activity other nations became interested in this region. Spanish expeditions in 1774 and 1775 visited the southeastern shore, and in 1778 the English explorer, Capt. James Cook, made extensive surveys of 1 |