Also called "southeast", this part of the state is Alaska's Inside Passage, so called because of the channel formed by the mainland and a string of islands running up the coast from British Columbia to
Skagway.
The mild, rainy climate promotes the growth of dense forests of spruce, cedar and hemlock on the many islands and mountains of the Coast Range. The Tongass National Forest covers most of the region which supports the logging and timber industries.
The Alaska Marine Highway connects the major ports of the region, including Prince of Wales Island, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Kake, Juneau (the state capital), Gustavus, Haines amd Skagway. The area is also famous for its abundant fisheries.
