Alaska encompasses a vast area full of infinite variety. Anchorage, Alaska's only metropolis is home to 260,000 people, two-fifths of the state's population. The city achieved its large size by hosting the Alaska Railroad, the WW II military development and more recently the 1,300 Km Trans-Alaska Pipeline, completed in 1977. 6,194-meter Mount McKinley, locally known as Mt. Denali, is the highest in North America. Denali National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are the most popular among 15 national parks in Alaska.