Matanuska-Susitna Borough

Geography

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough is located in Southcentral Alaska in the Northwestern United States.

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough, also known as the Mat-Su Borough, the Mat-Su Valley, or the Valley by local residents, received its name because it contains the Matanuska and Susitna Rivers. Both of these rivers, as well as the Knik River empty into Cook Inlet, which is located at the southern border of the Mat-Su Borough.

The Valley's perimeter consists of the Alaska Range, the Talkeetna Mountains, and the Chugach Mountains. Along these Mountain ranges, you can find an abundance of both working and abandoned gold mines and mountain passes. The Matanuska-Susitna Valley was carved into the earth by glaciers, leaving trails of small and large lakes, rivers, and streams.

Population

For the past 16 years, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough has remained the fastest-growing region in the state of Alaska. With over 77,170 residents as of July, 2006, the Mat-Su Borough's population has been growing at an average rate of 4.2% per year.

Community

Known for producing some of the world's largest vegetables during a 100-day growing season, the Mat-Su Valley is one of the few major agricultural areas in the state of Alaska. The Valley, more specifically Palmer, Alaska,  is also host to the annual Alaska State Fair. The Alaska State fair holds annual contests for the largest vegetables in several broad categories. These annual contests have been responsible for producing several regional, national, and even world records, with radish, lettuce, spinach, and cabbage usually being at the top of the list.

The Mat-Su Borough is also home to Mat-Su College, part of the University of Alaska network, and the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, a newspaper outlet local to the residents. The Talkeetna Bluegrass Festival also reaches Valley residents annually as the only camping-oriented music festival.

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough is also home to the start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, also commonly known as the Iditarod. While the ceremonial start for the race is held in the city of Anchorage, Alaska, the restart for the race is now held in Willow, Alaska. This race is one of the most popular sporting events in the state of Alaska.