Alaska is a state located in the Western United States on the northwest extremity of North America. A semi-exclave of the U.S., it borders the Canadian province of British Columbia and the Yukon territory to the east; it also shares a maritime border with the Russian Federation’s Chukotka Autonomous Okrug to the west, just across the Bering Strait.
To the north are the Chukchi and Beaufort seas of the Arctic Ocean, while the Pacific Ocean lies to the south and southwest.
Alaska is by far the largest U.S. state by area, comprising more total area than the next three largest states (Texas, California, and Montana) combined.
It represents the seventh largest subnational division in the world. It is the third-least populous and the most sparsely populated state, but by far the continent’s most populous territory located mostly north of the 60th parallel, with a population of 736,081 as of 2020.
Approximately half of Alaska’s residents live within the Anchorage metropolitan area. The state capital of Juneau is the second-largest city in the United States by area, comprising more territory than the states of Rhode Island and Delaware.
The former capital of Alaska, Sitka, is the largest U.S. city by area.
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List of Facts
It was derived from an Aleut-language idiom, “alaxsxaq”, meaning “the mainland”
It is also known as “Alyeska”, the “great land”, an Aleut word.
Alaska is by far the largest U.S. state by area, comprising more total area than the next three largest states
In 1789, a Spanish settlement and fort were built in Nootka Sound
It is the third-least populous and the most sparsely populated state
It borders the Canadian province of British Columbia and the Yukon territory
Sitka Spruce is the official state tree of Alaska
The official song of the state of Alaska is called ‘Alaska’s Flag’
The official state motto of Alaska is ‘North to the Future’
The wild forget-me-not is the official state flower.
The willow ptarmigan is the official state bird
The moose is Alaska’s state animal.
The jade is the official state gemstone.
The state’s most populous city is Anchorage, home to 291,247 people in 2020
The state capital of Juneau is the second-largest city in the United States by area
The former capital of Alaska, Sitka, is the largest U.S. city by area
It is also the only non-contiguous U.S. state on continental North America
It was admitted as the 49th state of the U.S. on January 3, 1959
The indigenous population of Alaska is proportionally the highest of any U.S. state, at over 15 percent
Russia sold Alaska to the U.S. in 1867 for US$7.2 million
Many of the more densely populated parts of the state are part of Alaska’s 16 boroughs
In 1989, the Exxon Valdez hit a reef in the Prince William Sound, spilling more than 11 million U.S. gallons of crude oil over 1,100 miles of coastline.
On March 27, 1964, the magnitude 9.2 Good Friday earthquake killed 133 people and destroyed several villages
Alaska has nearly 34,000 miles of tidal shoreline.
Alaska is 663,268 square miles in total area
Alaska is the only state in the US with land in the eastern hemisphere
Alaska has more than three million lakes
Alaska is not divided into counties, as most of the other U.S. states, but it is divided into boroughs
Glacier ice covers about 28,957 square miles of Alaska
The Bering Glacier is the largest glacier in North America, covering 2,008 square miles
mainland Russia and mainland Alaska is approximately 55 miles apart
The highest Alaska temperature is 100 °F in Fort Yukon on June 27, 1915
The lowest official Alaska temperature is −80 °F in Prospect Creek on January 23, 1971
Denali in Alaska is the highest mountain peak at 20,310 feet of the United States and North America
Alaska is home to the largest remaining population of gray wolves in the United States
Alaska has the most number of active volcanoes in the U.S.
Kodiak Island in Alaska is home to the largest subspecies of brown bear – the Kodiak bear
Lake Iliamna is the largest lake in Alaska
Alaska is home to 224 tribes and 20 indigenous languages.
Alaska is one of five US states that does not have a sales tax.
5% of Alaska is covered with glaciers.
Alaska has more than 5,000 earthquakes every year.
General estimates show that there is around one bear for every 21 people.
Alaska’s flag was designed by a 13-year-old boy named Benny Benson.
Seventeen of the 20 highest peaks in the United States can be found in Alaska
Alaska has more than 3,000 rivers
Captain James Cook (a British explorer) is credited with first exploring and describing the Anchorage area in 1778
dog sled racing is the state sport of Alaska
Over 50% of the world’s glaciers are found in Alaska. In particular, the state has more than 27,000 glaciers.
Big vegetables are common in Alaska because of the very long days in summer.
Alaskans can get a pilot certificate as young as 17 years old.
To this end, more than 30,000 people have attempted to climb and summit Denali
Alaska has 8 National Parks.
The Yukon River is the third-longest river in North America.
Alaska has eight species of whales. the Bowhead, Humpback, Grey, Beluga, Orca, Blue, Right, and Minke whales.
Alaska is also known for its big dragonflies.
Alaska is home to more than 30 species of dragonflies.
Alaska accounts for 25% of the oil produced in the United States
Gold is the official state mineral. It was named the state mineral in 1968.
