I was born and raised in Alaska. People are often surprised to learn about what my life there was really like.

"As someone from Alaska, I've heard a lot of misconceptions about what life there is really like. Many people I meet think Alaska is all wilderness and nature, but our cities are surprisingly urban. People are also shocked by how often I would fly - and how common it is to own a small plane. When I tell people that I was born and raised in Alaska,"

"I've been asked whether there really were 24 hours of darkness all winter, or if we used sled dogs to get around. When I was younger, other kids would ask if we lived in igloos. Misinformation aside, there are aspects of growing up in the Last Frontier that are unique in comparison to the rest of the US - many"

Alaska prompts widespread misconceptions about everyday life. Many people assume the state is solely wilderness, yet cities in Alaska are surprisingly urban. Frequent flying and common small-plane ownership characterize travel for many residents. People commonly ask whether 24-hour winter darkness occurs, whether sled dogs are used for transportation, or whether families lived in igloos. Reactions to Alaskan origins often include wide-eyed surprise and comments about extreme cold. Misconceptions coexist with distinct cultural and environmental experiences unique to growing up in the Last Frontier, and those differences become apparent to residents after living elsewhere in the United States.

Read at Business Insider