ALASKA FACTS

Prudhoe Bay, on the northern Alaskan coast, is North America's largest oil field.

The Trans-Alaska Pipeline moves up to 88,000 barrels of oil per hour on its 800 mile journey to Valdez.

The fishing and seafood industry is the state's largest private industry employer.

Most of America's salmon, crab, halibut, and herring come from Alaska.

The term Alaska native refers to Alaska's original inhabitants including Aleut, Eskimo and Indian groups.

The wild forget-me-not is the official state flower. The Territorial Legislature adopted it in 1917.

The willow ptarmigan is the official state bird. The Territorial Legislature adopted it in 1955.

The Sitka spruce is the official state tree. The Territorial Legislature adopted it in 1962.

Dog mushing is the official state sport. The Alaska Legislature adopted it in 1972.

An unnamed draftsman created the state seal in 1910. It consists of a rising sun shining on forests, lake, fishing and shipping boats, and agricultural and mining activities.

COUNTRY FACTS

                         Belgian Congo was not even a colony of Belgium. For many years, it remained the personal property of king Leopold II of begium. It was under his patronage that Stanley the explorer had reached the place.

King Leopold II

                   Alaska was purchased from Russia by the U.S.A. in 1867 for just 1,450,000 pounds.

Alaska Today

  
            The Earl of Sterling rented the whole of Canada from king James I of Scotland for one penny a year!

Earl Of Stirling

BIRTHDAYS, THE WORLD OVER

                         Children, the world over, love to celebrate their birthdays. It is a day when one is usually pampered. Birthdays are celebrated in numerous ways. The most common type of celebration is to cut a cake and hold a feast afterwards. The cutting of the cake is usually accompanied by the most well-known song, 'Happy Birthday To You!' This song was written by two girls in Kentucky, USA, in 1893.
                        In India, the elders of the family gather to bless the birthday boy or girl with an aarti. An aarti is a ritual during which a tray containing lighted lamps is moved in front of a person. Rice grains symbolising prosperity are also sprinkled on the person.
                        Balloons were first introduced in the USA at birthday parties. Over the years, this practice became common in most parts of the world. A variety of sweets, cakes and pasteries is also a must.
                         In China, birthday boys and girls are usually fed noodles because long noodles signify a long life. Older Chinese celebrate birthday's once in ten years. Several Asian and African people do not celebrate birthdays at all.
                         Like India, Germany too observes children's day. It is called 'Kinderfest'. Children are given gifts and chocolates on that day.
                        In England a big drum would be filled with gifts and toys and everyone invited to the birthday would dip their hands in it and take away whatever they managed to pick up. In Korea, the future of a child is determined by the item he chooses from a number of items kept on a table.
                         The Japanese usually gift a kite to a child who has reached the age of 13. New Year's day in Bhutan is observed as the birthday of all Bhutanese citizens.

A Birthday Cake