USA - Kluane / Wrangell-St Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek

Kluane / Wrangell-St Elias / Glacier Bay /
Tatshenshini-Alsek (1979, 1992, 1994)
United States of America

These parks comprise an impressive complex of glaciers and high peaks on both sides of the border between Canada (Yukon Territory and British Columbia) and the United States (Alaska). The spectacular natural landscapes are home to many grizzly bears, caribou and Dall's sheep. The site contains the largest non-polar icefield in the world. This site is a transboundary property, shared with Canada.

This issue, featuring the Mount St. Elias, from the Soviet Union is interesting, since it was issued in commemoration of the 200th death anniversary of the Danish navigator and explorer Vitus Bering, who discovered the sea way from Kamchatka in eastern Siberia to Alaska, and who first landed on the St. Elias Mountains on Glacier Bay. You can read more about Vitus Bering on the page about Kamchatka (on this site).

USSR 1943. Mount St. Elias, Alaska. The stamp exists in two face values, the other one being in bright green colour.

USSR 1943. Mount St. Elias, Alaska.

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, located in southeastern Alaska, was established in 1925, and redesignated as a national park in 1980. The park, located in the Saint Elias Mountains on Glacier Bay, is noted for its great tidewater glaciers and lofty peaks, the highest of which is Mount Fairweather (4,663 m/15,299 ft).

Among the park’s glaciers, which rise to 60 m (200 ft) above the water’s edge, is Muir Glacier. The park is important for scientific research on the formation and movement of glaciers and on the conditions existing after glacial retreat.

The landscape ranges from rocky ice-swept terrain to lush forests of spruce and hemlock. Wildlife includes the black and brown bear, mountain goat, seal, sea lion, King Salmon, whale, puffin, eagle, and cormorant.

USA 2006. Bering Glacier, named after the Danish navigator Vitus Bering. The stamp is digitally cut from the sheet "Wonders of America - Land of Superlatives". It is #4 in the sheet. Click here to see the full sheet. The link will open in a new window. The stamp is located in the top row, no. 4 from left.

USA 1981. Mountain Habitats: Grizzly.

USA 1980. American Eagle.

USA 1956. Wildlife Conservation. King Salmon.

USA 1981. Mountain Habitats: Grizzly.
USA 1980. American Eagle.
USA 1956. Wildlife Conservation: King Salmon.

Sources and links:

Other World Heritage Sites in USA (on this site). Inactive links are not described on stamps. Please refer to the UNESCO-listing, section United States for further information about such sites.

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