By Lubna Abdel-Aziz It was the brainchild of Peter the Great. A great visionary, the Russian Czar (1672-1725) knew no bounds or boundaries. He worked hard to raise his country to the rank of a great world power. Before his death he developed a strong desire to know whether the two continents on which Russia lies, Asia and Europe, were connected. He commissioned the Danish sea captain Vitus Bering, to explore the North Pacific region. Although his expedition traveled 10,000 km across Russia and Asia and sailed to St. Lawrence Island, now part of Alaska, through what they called the Bering Strait, they were unable to see the North American mainland. The fog was too dark and too thick. Czar Peter died -- but his quest lived on. Captain Bering led a second expedition in 1841. He was joined by the Russian explorer Alexksei Chirikov. Dreams of the good life danced before their eyes when they sighted Mount Saint Elias in Southeastern Alaska. They landed on Kayak Island and on their return, the crew amassed an abundance of sea otter pelts to take back to Russia. Judged to be the finest in the world, it was not long before fur traders began to sail towards the Aleutian Islands along the Southern border of Alaska. They were soon followed by the Europeans. Spain, England and France reached Alaskan waters looking for a sea route between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Finally this was achieved by the renowned British captain James Cook, who sailed along the Alaska coast as far north as the Bering Strait. The first white settlement was established on Kodiak Island, Alaska. They were not the first Islanders there. There were others long before the white settlers. For more than 9000 years the territory was inhabited by Eskimos, Aleutians and Indians. The name Alaska comes from a word used by the people of the Aleutian Islands. The word meant "Great Land" or "Mainland." It sounded like A-la-a-ska to early Russian settlers. The early inhabitants enjoyed a culture and advanced skills as revealed by the discovery of many artifacts of the Unalaskans, now housed in the Holy Ascension Russian Orthodox Cathedral. Within a decade, trade flourished. The first permanent European settlement was established and the Russian American Company was formed in 1784. By the 1850s the fur trade had lost its lustre. After the Crimean War (1833-1856) Russia became eager to sell Alaska. The United States Congress finally approved the purchase recommended by Secretary of State, William H. Seward (1867). The amount of the sale was $7.2 million, which is about 2cents per acre. The agreement was widely referred to as "Seward's Folly." Few US citizens could fathom what possible use this land could have for their country. "Alaska was much too remote to inspire much interest." Little did they know that "Seward's Folly" would be his one touch of genius. This masterful coup became a great addition to the wealth and prosperity of a great nation, and all thanks to the vision of a great Russian. It took Alaska half a century to achieve Statehood (1959), but throughout the years it has overwhelmed the mainland with its massive territorial wealth. Yet until now, it has remained in the background as the insignificant 49th State, despite its immense size. With an area of over 1.7 million square kilometres, it is twice as large as the largest state inland, Texas, and larger than all but 18 Sovereign countries. Alaska is also larger than Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and the United Kingdom combined. Called the "Last Frontier," it retains an almost virginal purity, pristine and gentle, yet scarcely recognized. But alas, within the last few weeks, Alaska has boldly and loudly exposed her endowments, raising them to the surface of the world's consciousness. This was achieved when the tiny, dainty, but spunky Governor of the State, Sarah Palin made history. Tapped by the Republican nominee for President of the United States as his running mate, he was jeered by some and cheered by many. In a move that is nothing less than brilliant, John McCain selected this former teacher, mayor, moose hunter, wife, mother of five the last a Down Syndrome baby, Governor of the State of Alaska as his running mate. All Republicans, all Democrats, all Americans, in fact all the world, wish to know more about the phenomenon that is Sarah Palin. Already she has made history by being the first Republican female Vice Presidential nominee. Not only does everyone want to know more about her, but more about her home state Alaska. Alaska's natural beauty is without equal. It has more than 3 million lakes, and half of the fish caught in the Western US comes from the Bering Sea and Bristol Bay. During WWII three of the outer Aleutian Islands Att, Agattu, and Kiske, only 740 km away from Russia were invaded by Japanese troops and were occupied for one year. Their recovery became a national pride. The Klondike Gold Rush of 1897 was the first event to garner the exposure of this little known state. This caused a surge in population, Alaska still remains the least densely populated state with an estimated population of 610,053 (2006), 1.1 person per square mile. Its per capita GSP is 5th in the nation at $43,748 per anum. Its main product is the oil and gas industry which dominates the Alaskan economy. More than 80% of the State's revenues is derived from petroleum. Its next major export is seafood, primarily salmon, cod, Pollock and crab. Alaska keeps on giving. If the Republicans win the White House, chances are Alaska oil drilling will be a sure thing. Oil in the ANWAR (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge) is said to more than adequately able to provide much of the US oil consumption, which remains the largest worldwide. With the media now swarming over the state, tourism is getting a shot in the arm. Filmmakers who often shot films set in Alaska elsewhere, are sure to head for Alaska now for a more authentic reproduction. Those who have visited Alaska have found it breathlessly beautiful. Big, spacious, lush, lavish, plentiful and plenteous, Alaska is overwhelming and resplendent in its natural vistas. Had Czar Peter the Great foreseen that Alaska, the result of his exploration of a link between his two continents would offer the US its finest State, would he have still pursued it? Peter the Great was a visionary, a dreamer, but also an achiever. The whole world will never be deprived of dreamers and seekers whose ideas are necessary to mankind. Certainly we need dreamers, but even more we need dreamers who achieve. Sarah Palin -- Alaskan -- wife, mother, hunter, mayor, Governor, principled and steadfast, may be the future Vice President or even President of the US. She is one of those dreamers who achieve! The quick Dream, The passion -- winged Ministers of thought -- Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822)
