00:00Why does Alaska have this panhandle?
00:02Why isn't it part of Canada?
00:04And why does it have such a weird shape, especially compared to the perfectly straight borders
00:08along the 49th parallel, or the direct line between Alaska and the Yukon Territory?
00:14It all began in the late 18th century, when the Russians were the first to land in this
00:17southeastern region and claimed the territory of Alaska as their own.
00:21At that time, Britain, which controlled Canada, was moving deeper into the continent, and
00:26this led to territorial disputes.
00:28To avoid conflict, in 1825, an agreement was signed establishing the eastern border along
00:33the 141st meridian, and Russia kept a narrow strip of coastline in the southeastern part
00:38of Alaska.
00:39It was supposed to follow the peaks of the coastal mountains, if any were within 55 kilometers
00:43of the sea, which is how such a strange shape appeared.
00:46When the U.S. bought Alaska and a gold rush began in the region, Canada's interest grew,
00:51and it tried to challenge the borders.
00:53This led to an international tribunal, and as a result, the territory stayed with the
00:57U.S., and the current border was officially established.
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