Wrangell–Saint Elias National Park and Preserve

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Wrangell–Saint Elias National Park and Preserve, at the convergence of the Chugach, Wrangell, and St. Elias mts., SW Alaska. The park (8,323,618 acres/3,369,856 hectares) contains Mt. Saint Elias (18,008 ft/5,489 m) and the nation's greatest collection of glaciers and mountain peaks above 16,000 ft (4,879 m). Together with the adjoining preserve (4,852,753 acres/1,964,677 hectares), it comprises the largest unit of the National Park System. Ruins of the Kennicott copper mines are in the park, as well as an abundance of wildlife, including Dall sheep, migrating caribou, and wolves. Proclaimed a national monument in 1978, Wrangell–St. Elias was established as a national park and preserve in 1980. See National Parks and Monuments, table.

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.