Alaska's system differs from that of other states

Alaska's largest private sector employers in 2000

At the age of 10 its economy rests on mine- missiles and park

Gap has narrowed 5 percent over 11 years and to 67 percent in 1999

Definitions have changed; comparisons have become complex- racial distributions have shifted

Timber has fallen and fish prices are slippery leaving fewer jobs and economic uncertainty

A small, but significant part of Alaska's economy dominated by seafood processing

IT industries and occupations are widespread and defy pigeonholing