The physiographic provinces of Alaska

The wealth of recently accumulated geographic information on Alaska has made desirable a new classification of the state into physiographic divisions. Most of Alaska is now covered by topographic maps of high quality at scales of 1:63,360 and 1:250,000, prepared by multiplex methods from aerial photography. A classification made now is not likely to err through lack of knowledge of the geography and topography of the state; any changes it requires will reflect matters of judgment and taste, rather than ignorance. The accompanying classification was prepared intermittently between 1949 and 1959; most of the work was done between 1956 and 1959. It is hoped that it will bring about a clearer understanding of the geography of Alaska and will stimulate research into the history of development of Alaskan landforms.