Alaska

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Alaska, the largest state in the United States, holds a rich history and unique characteristics that set it apart from other regions. From its early indigenous inhabitants to its acquisition by the U.S., Alaska’s story is one of resilience, natural beauty, and cultural diversity.

The history of Alaska dates back to the Upper Paleolithic period when foraging groups crossed the Bering land bridge into what is now western Alaska. At the time of European contact, the area was populated by various Alaska Native groups, including the Athabaskans, Unangan (Aleuts), Inuit, Yupiit (Yupik), Tlingit, and Haida. These indigenous peoples have long-standing connections to the land and have contributed significantly to Alaska’s cultural tapestry.

In 1867, the U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million in what was initially dubbed “Seward’s Folly.” This vast expanse of uncharted wilderness became a U.S. territory in 1912 and achieved statehood on January 3, 1959. The acquisition of Alaska opened up new opportunities for economic development, particularly with the discovery of gold in the late 19th century and oil in the 20th century.

Alaska’s natural landscape is as diverse as it is breathtaking. From towering mountains like Denali to expansive rivers like the Yukon, Alaska boasts some of North America’s most impressive natural wonders. Its wildlife is equally remarkable, with grizzly bears, moose, caribou, and marine life like otters and whales thriving in its open spaces.

The state’s unique geography includes a chain of volcanic islands stretching into the Bering Sea and a Panhandle extending between the Pacific Ocean and the Canadian Rockies. Glaciers cover vast areas of Alaska, with notable complexes like Malaspina rivaling the size of entire states.

Alaska’s cultural scene is vibrant and diverse. Athabaskan writer Velma Wallis has contributed significantly to Alaskan literature, while cities like Anchorage and Juneau host fine arts institutions and classical music ensembles. Museums like the Museum of the North in Fairbanks showcase Alaska’s rich heritage through extensive collections of artifacts and specimens.

Despite its challenges due to remoteness, Alaska continues to thrive economically through industries like commercial fishing, oil extraction, tourism, and military bases. The state’s economy has evolved over time, adapting to changing circumstances while preserving its natural beauty and cultural heritage.

In conclusion, Alaska stands as a testament to human resilience in a rugged environment. Its history reflects a blend of indigenous traditions, pioneering spirit, and natural wonders that make it a truly unique part of the United States. From its early days as a Russian territory to its present status as a state known for its vast wilderness and diverse wildlife, Alaska remains an iconic destination that captures the essence of America’s frontier spirit.

  • Alaska – Wikipedia: This page provides a comprehensive overview of Alaska, including its history, geography, and culture. It also covers topics such as the Alaska Heritage Resources Survey, which is an inventory of historic and prehistoric sites in the state.
  • Outline of Alaska – Wikipedia: The “Outline of Alaska” page offers a detailed summary of the state, including its geographical features, history, and state symbols. It provides an overview of Alaska’s status as the most extensive, northernmost, and least densely populated state in the U.S.
  • Alaska – Simple English Wikipedia: This page offers a simplified overview of Alaska, highlighting its status as the largest state in the U.S. It also covers the state’s population, density, official languages, and economic significance, particularly in the seafood and oil industries.
  • Geography of Alaska: The “Geography of Alaska” page focuses specifically on the state’s geographical characteristics and its unique position on the North American continent. It provides details about Alaska’s border with Canada and its climate, including being one of the coldest places in North America.
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
Alaska (geographical name)
state (territory 1912–59) of the United States North America ✽ Juneau 591,004 (1,530,700 ), 626,932 - NW area square miles square kilometers pop
Alaska (Wikipedia)

Alaska (/əˈlæskə/ ə-LAS-kə) is a non-contiguous U.S. state on the northwest extremity of North America. It borders the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Yukon to the east; it shares a western maritime border in the Bering Strait with Russia's Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. The Chukchi and Beaufort Seas of the Arctic Ocean lie to the north and the Pacific Ocean lies to the south. Technically a semi-exclave of the U.S., Alaska is the largest exclave in the world.

Alaska
Alax̂sxax̂ (Aleut)
Alaaskaq (Inupiaq)
Alaskaq (Central Yupik)
Anáaski (Tlingit)
Alas'kaaq (Alutiiq)
Аляска (Russian)
State of Alaska
Nickname
The Last Frontier
Motto
North to the Future
Anthem: Alaska's Flag
Map of the United States with Alaska highlighted
Map of the United States with Alaska highlighted
CountryUnited States
Before statehoodTerritory of Alaska
Admitted to the UnionJanuary 3, 1959; 65 years ago (1959-01-03) (49th)
CapitalJuneau
Largest cityAnchorage
Largest metro and urban areasAnchorage
Government
 • GovernorMike Dunleavy (R)
 • Lieutenant GovernorNancy Dahlstrom (R)
LegislatureAlaska Legislature
 • Upper houseSenate
 • Lower houseHouse of Representatives
JudiciaryAlaska Supreme Court
U.S. senators
U.S. House delegationMary Peltola (D) (list)
Area
 • Total665,384 sq mi (1,723,337 km2)
 • Land571,951 sq mi (1,481,346 km2)
 • Water91,316 sq mi (236,507 km2)  13.77%
 • Rank1st
Dimensions
 • Length1,420 mi (2,285 km)
 • Width2,261 mi (3,639 km)
Elevation
1,900 ft (580 m)
Highest elevation20,310 ft (6,190.5 m)
Lowest elevation
0 ft (0 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total733,391
 • Rank48th
 • Density1.10/sq mi (0.42/km2)
  • Rank50th
 • Median household income
$77,800
 • Income rank
12th
DemonymAlaskan
Language
 • Official languagesAhtna, Alutiiq, Dena'ina, Deg Xinag, English, Eyak, Gwich'in, Haida, Hän, Holikachuk, Inupiaq, Koyukon, Lower Tanana, St. Lawrence Island Yupik, Tanacross, Tlingit, Tsimshian, Unangax̂, Upper Kuskokwim, Upper Tanana, Yup'ik
 • Spoken language
Time zones
east of 169°30'UTC−09:00 (Alaska)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−08:00 (ADT)
west of 169°30'UTC−10:00 (Hawaii-Aleutian)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−09:00 (HADT)
USPS abbreviation
AK
ISO 3166 codeUS-AK
Latitude51°20'N to 71°50'N
Longitude130°W to 172°E
Websitealaska.gov
State symbols of Alaska
List of state symbols
Living insignia
BirdWillow ptarmigan
Dog breedAlaskan Malamute
FishKing salmon
FlowerForget-me-not
InsectFour-spot skimmer dragonfly
Mammal
TreeSitka Spruce
Inanimate insignia
FossilWoolly Mammoth
GemstoneJade
MineralGold
SportDog mushing
State route marker
Route marker
State quarter
Alaska quarter dollar coin
Released in 2008
Lists of United States state symbols
Map
Interactive map showing border of Alaska (click to zoom)

Alaska is the largest U.S. state by area, comprising more total area than the next three largest states of Texas, California and Montana combined, and is the seventh-largest subnational division in the world. It is the third-least populous and most sparsely populated U.S. state, but is, with a population of 736,081 as of 2020, the continent's most populous territory located mostly north of the 60th parallel, with more than quadruple the combined populations of Northern Canada and Greenland. 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. The state's most populous city is Anchorage. Approximately half of Alaska's residents live within the Anchorage metropolitan area.

Indigenous people have lived in Alaska for thousands of years, and it is widely believed that the region served as the entry point for the initial settlement of North America by way of the Bering land bridge. The Russian Empire was the first to actively colonize the area beginning in the 18th century, eventually establishing Russian America, which spanned most of the current state, and promoted and maintained a native Alaskan Creole population. The expense and logistical difficulty of maintaining this distant possession prompted its sale to the U.S. in 1867 for US$7.2 million (equivalent to $151 million in 2022). The area went through several administrative changes before becoming organized as a territory on May 11, 1912. It was admitted as the 49th state of the U.S. on January 3, 1959.

Abundant natural resources have enabled Alaska—with one of the smallest state economies—to have one of the highest per capita incomes, with commercial fishing, and the extraction of natural gas and oil, dominating Alaska's economy. U.S. Armed Forces bases and tourism also contribute to the economy; more than half the state is federally-owned land containing national forests, national parks, and wildlife refuges. It is among the most irreligious states, one of the first to legalize recreational marijuana, and is known for its libertarian-leaning political culture, generally supporting the Republican Party in national elections. The Indigenous population of Alaska is proportionally the second highest of any U.S. state, at over 15 percent, after only Hawaii.

Alaska (Wiktionary)

English

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