Southeast Alaska is sometimes called the panhandle because it stretches away from the rest of Alaska just as a handle does from a pot or pan. It is separated by great glaciers north of Yakutat from direct overland travel to the rest of Alaska. Southeast Alaska is comprised of a 600 mile long narrow strip of mainland coastline that is an average of 120 miles wide on the east and hundreds of islands in the Alexander Archipelago on the west. Six of these islands are over 1,000 square miles each in area. These are Prince of Wales, Chichagof, Admiralty, Baranof, Revillagigedo, and Kupreanof islands. Despite these conditions, the waters of Southeast Alaska are sources of abundant food. Its environment has made Southeast Alaska good habitat for creatures of the land and sea, including humans.
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