South Central Region

The majority of Alaska's population lives within its South Central Region. It extends from the western shore of Cook Inlet to the Canadian border and from the Alaska Range south. The region includes Anchorage, Alaska's largest city; the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, the Kenai Peninsula, Kenai Fjords National Park and Wrangell-St Elias NP and Preserve, and Prince William Sound. Much of the land near the Gulf of Alaska is contained within the Chugach National Forest.

This varied region is characterized by jagged coasts with steep fjords and calving glaciers, bays rich with sealife, lakes and streams where salmon and other species spawn, forests, farmlands, oil and natural gas fields.

The region offers an active visitors' season during both summer and winter because it provides an abundance of attractions and activities. Classical outdoor pursuits, such as fishing, camping, hiking, skiing, rafting and kayaking, are at home here. The little town of Talkeetna, north of Anchorage, specializes as the departure point for expeditions up Mount McKinley in Denali National Park, as well as flightseeing.