III. 



Geography and Topography. 



Alaska may be conveniently divided, says Special Agent Ivan 

 Petroff, in his report on the Population, Industries, and Resources 

 of Alaska, 1884, into six geographical sections: 



1, The southeastern, containing 29,980 square miles, and com- 

 prising the coast from Mount St. Elias in the north, to Portland 

 Canal, in latitude 54° 40' in the south, together with the islands of 

 the Alexander Archipelago between Cross Sound and Cape Fox. 

 This region differs from the bulk of Alaska, resembling British 

 Columbia and the adjoining islands. It is densely wooded and 

 exceedingly mountainous in its formation, the coast is deeply 

 indented with bays and fiords, and for two-thirds of its length is 

 sheltered by the islands of the archipelago. Coal has been dis- 

 covered on many of the islands and on the mainland, but no 

 practical use has thus far been made of the discoveries. Discov- 

 eries of gold-bearing quartz were made on Baranof Island, but 

 the ledges are not worked. Gold was also discovered on the 

 peninsula between Taku and Chilkat inlets and on Douglas 

 Island. The natives are chiefly engaged in the fur trade and 

 fisheries. There are numerous glaciers, and the mountains range 

 from 2,000 feet in height to 18,100 (Mount St. Elias). The chief 

 river is the Stikine (see "River system"). 



2. The Kadiak division, containing 14,610 square miles, com- 

 prises the south coast of the Aliaska Peninsula down to Zakharof 

 Bay, with the adjacent islands, the Kadiak group. Cook Inlet, the 

 Kenai Peninsula, and Prince William Sound. This country is 



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