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Alaska is the largest and most sparsely populated state in the United States. Known as "The Last Frontier", Alaska's stunning natural beauty and abundant wildlife make it a popular tourist destination. Alaska became the 49th U.S. state on January 3, 1959 after being purchased from Russia in 1867. While Juneau is the state capital, Anchorage is Alaska's most populous city.

History

Alaska has been inhabited for over 10,000 years by various Indigenous peoples including the Iñupiat, Yupik, Aleut, Eyak, Tlingit, Haida, and a number of Northern Athabaskan cultures. It wasn't until 1741 that Vitus Bering, a Danish explorer working for the Russian Navy, became the first European to land in Alaska. In 1784, Grigory Shelekhov founded Russia's first permanent settlement in Alaska on Kodiak Island. In 1867, U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward negotiated the Alaska Purchase, in which the United States acquired Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. Alaska operated as a district from 1884 until 1912, when it became an official U.S. territory. World War II brought major development to Alaska, including the Alaska Highway connecting it to the Lower 48 states. On January 3, 1959, Alaska was officially admitted as the 49th U.S. state after voters approved statehood. The discovery of oil in 1968 transformed Alaska's economy, leading to a population boom in the 1970s. In 1971, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act was passed, granting Indigenous Alaskans 44 million acres of land and $1 billion in compensation.

Geography and Climate

Alaska is bounded by Yukon and British Columbia, Canada to the east, the Gulf of Alaska and the Pacific Ocean to the south, the Bering Sea, Bering Strait, and Chukchi Sea to the west, and the Beaufort Sea and the Arctic Ocean to the north. At 663,268 square miles, Alaska is the largest state in the U.S., accounting for 20% of the total landmass of the country. There are 20 highest major peaks in the United States located in Alaska, including the highest peak in North America, Denali (formerly known as Mt. McKinley) at 20,310 feet. Other prominent mountains include Mt. Foraker, Mt. Bona, Mt. Blackburn, and Mt. Sanford. Alaska has more coastline than the rest of the United States combined at 34,000 miles. The Aleutian Islands consist of around 300 small volcanic islands stretching over 1,200 miles into the Pacific Ocean. The Inside Passage is a protected 1,000 mile waterway running along the Gulf of Alaska between the mainland and Vancouver Island. Alaska has a subarctic climate with long, cold winters and short, mild summers. The northern parts experience periods of 24 hours daylight in the summer and 24 hours darkness in the winter. The southern coastal regions have a temperate, oceanic climate with heavier precipitation and milder winters.

Economy

Alaska's economy relies heavily on its oil and gas industries, with about 80% of the state's budget revenues deriving from petroleum. The Prudhoe Bay Oil Field on Alaska's North Slope is one of the largest oil fields in North America. Alaska's other major industries include fishing, forestry, mining, agriculture, aerospace, and tourism. The seafood industry employs over 50,000 people and leads the United States in volume and value of seafood landed. Alaska accounts for more than 50% of U.S. commercial fishing production with key exports including salmon, cod, pollock, and crab. Tourism is Alaska's second largest private sector employer. Over 2 million tourists visit Alaska each year to experience its wildlife, glaciers, national parks, and cruises. In 2018, non-resident visitors to Alaska spent $2.2 billion. Some of Alaska's major companies and employers include: For more on Alaska's economy, visit the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Cities and Regions

Some of the major cities and regions in Alaska include:

Anchorage

Anchorage is Alaska's most populous city with 291,247 residents. Located in southcentral Alaska, it serves as the state's economic and transportation hub. Anchorage's economy relies heavily on the military, oil, tourism, transportation, and air cargo. Popular attractions include the Anchorage Museum, the Alaska Native Heritage Center, Flattop Mountain, Kincaid Park, and the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. The city is also home to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.

Fairbanks

Fairbanks is Alaska's second-largest city located in the central part of the state along the banks of the Chena River. It has a population of 32,747 and was founded in 1901 as a service center for miners during the Alaska Gold Rush. Today it is an important transportation, distribution, and tourism center for interior and northern Alaska. Top attractions include the University of Alaska Museum of the North, Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge, the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center, and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.

Juneau

Although one of Alaska's smaller cities with a population of 32,487, Juneau is the state capital and third-largest city. Juneau has no road access from the rest of Alaska and can only be reached by air or sea. It is located on the Gastineau Channel and has an economy based around government, mining, fishing, and tourism. Popular sites include the Mendenhall Glacier, the Alaska State Capitol building, the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, and the Mount Roberts Tramway.

Southeast Alaska

The Southeast region of Alaska, also known as the Alaska Panhandle, stretches along the Pacific Coast between British Columbia and the Gulf of Alaska. It is known for its dense forests, fjords, and glaciers flowing from the St. Elias Mountains. The Inside Passage waterway provides some of Alaska's most popular cruise itineraries. Major towns in Southeast Alaska include Sitka, Ketchikan, Skagway, Haines, Petersburg, Wrangell, Metlakatla, and Craig.

Kenai Peninsula

The Kenai Peninsula juts off the southcentral coast of Alaska near Anchorage. This region is known for its mountains, glaciers, fishing, and wildlife-viewing opportunities. The saltwater city of Seward serves as the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. Other communities on the Kenai Peninsula include Soldotna, Homer, Anchor Point, and Cooper Landing along the Sterling Highway.

Matanuska-Susitna Valley

The Matanuska-Susitna Valley stretches along Knik Arm just north of Anchorage. Commonly known as the Mat-Su Valley, it contains the towns of Palmer, Wasilla, Big Lake, and Talkeetna. The local economy depends largely on agriculture and recreation tourism. The Mat-Su Valley offers access to spectacular scenery, hiking, fishing, and attractions like the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race headquarters.

National Parks

Alaska contains some of the most pristine wilderness and beautiful scenery protected within 8 national parks:

Wildlife

Alaska contains a diversity of wildlife across its varied landscapes and climates. Iconic Alaskan animals include: Many migratory birds breed in Alaska during the summer months. Over a million caribou migrate each year, while gray, humpback, and killer whales migrate seasonally along the coasts. Alaska contains about 40 million acres of wetlands that provide breeding habitat for millions of birds and other wildlife.

Transportation

Due to its massive size and remote location, transportation in Alaska can be challenging. There are few roads connecting communities, which are spread out over long distances. Travel between cities often requires flying or taking a ferry. Within cities, public transportation is limited but improving. The Alaska Marine Highway provides ferry services connecting towns along Alaska's coastline from Bellingham, Washington through the Aleutian Islands. The Alaska Railroad extends from Seward to Fairbanks. The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is Alaska's primary passenger airport. Fairbanks International Airport serves as the main hub for many northern and interior villages. Ketchikan, Juneau, and Sitka also have regional airports with jet service from Anchorage. Alaska's limited highway system includes the Glenn Highway from Anchorage to Glennallen, the Richardson Highway from Valdez to Fairbanks, the Seward Highway along the Kenai Peninsula, and the Sterling Highway from Anchorage to Homer. The Alaska Highway connects Alaska to Canada and the Lower 48 states. For more on transportation options, visit the Alaska Marine Highway System, Alaska Railroad, Alaska Department of Transportation, and Anchorage transportation websites.

Major Landmarks

Here are some of the top landmarks and attractions to visit in Alaska:

Denali

Denali, formerly known as Mt. McKinley, is the highest mountain peak in North America at 20,310 feet. Located in Denali National Park, it attracts climbers, hikers, and sightseers from around the world. The surrounding national park protects over 6 million acres of wilderness and wildlife habitat. Address: Denali National Park & Preserve, Denali Park, AK 99755 GPS Coordinates: 63°06'00.0"N 151°00'00.0"W

Mendenhall Glacier

The Mendenhall Glacier is a 12-mile long glacier located outside Juneau that flows from the Juneau Icefield into Mendenhall Lake. Visitors can view the glacier from various overlooks, hike on it, watch for spawning salmon, and see icebergs floating in the lake. Address: Glacier Spur Rd, Juneau, AK 99801 GPS Coordinates: 58°26'48.0"N 134°31'15.0"W

Flattop Mountain

Flattop Mountain is one of the most popular hikes in Anchorage, offering stunning views over the city, Cook Inlet, and the Alaska Range. The 3-mile roundtrip hike climbs 1300 feet to the mountain's rocky summit. Address: Chugach State Park, Anchorage, AK 99516 GPS Coordinates: 61°10'21.5"N 149°51'02.4"W Here is an embedded Google Map showing the locations of these three landmarks in Alaska:

Local Resources

Here are some useful resources if you live in or plan to visit Alaska: Alaska is divided into 27 census areas. It does not have any counties. The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development provides data and statistics for the different regions. Some of the main school districts in Alaska include: Alaska is a U.S. state located in the northwest extremity of North America. It borders the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the south and southwest, and has land borders with Canada's Yukon and British Columbia to the east. With an area of 663,300 square miles, it is the largest state in the United States and has the 4th longest coastline in the country at 6,640 miles. Alaska attained statehood on January 3, 1959, becoming the 49th state to join the union. Its capital and largest city is Juneau.

History

Alaska was inhabited by indigenous peoples for thousands of years before Europeans arrived. The Alaska Natives comprise numerous culturally distinct indigenous groups, including the Aleut, Alutiiq, Yupik, and Inuit peoples. The first European settlement was established by Russia in 1784 after explorer Gavriil Pribylov discovered the Aleutian Islands. Russia sold Alaska to the United States in 1867 for $7.2 million, or about 2 cents per acre, in a deal known as Seward's Folly. Alaska was sparsely populated until the late 1800s when a major gold rush brought thousands of miners and settlers. In 1959, Alaska became the 49th state admitted to the union after a referendum passed statewide.

Geography

Alaska is bounded by the Beaufort Sea and the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the south and southwest, the Bering Strait to the west, and British Columbia and Yukon to the east. With an area of 663,300 square miles, Alaska is the largest state in the U.S., over twice the size of Texas. It is also the westernmost and northernmost state in the country. Alaska has more ocean coastline than all of the other 49 states combined. Much of Alaska has an subarctic climate with average temperatures ranging from -30°F in the winter to 65°F in the summer. However, the climate varies significantly from region to region. The Alaska Interior and parts of the north can see extreme temperatures from -70°F in winter to 90°F in summer. South coastal regions have a more moderate oceanic climate. Alaska is home to an abundance of wildlife and scenic natural beauty, including large protected national parks and preserves. The state has more than 40 million acres of protected wilderness, including Denali National Park, home of Mt. McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America.

Demographics

As of 2023, Alaska has an estimated population of 737,438. Alaska has the second lowest population density in the U.S. after Wyoming. About 15% of Alaska residents are Alaska Natives of indigenous descent. The largest city is Anchorage, with a population of 291,247. Other major cities include Fairbanks and Juneau, the state capital. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the racial makeup of Alaska is approximately: Hispanic and Latino Americans make up 7.2% of the population. The largest ancestry groups in Alaska include German (16.7%), Irish (10.8%), English (9.7%) and Norwegian (6.3%).

Economy

Alaska has an abundance of natural resources that drive its economy, including oil and gas, fishing, mining, forestry, agriculture, and tourism. The Alaska Department of Commerce reports that the major industries in Alaska are: The largest employers in Alaska are the state government, Providence Health & Services, the Federal Government, the University of Alaska, and the military. Unemployment has risen during the COVID-19 pandemic but remains below the national average.

Government and Politics

As a state, Alaska has a republican form of government modeled after the federal government with executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The governor is the head of state. The bicameral state legislature is composed of the Senate and House of Representatives. The Alaska Court System heads the judiciary. Politically, Alaska leans Republican in national elections and has voted Republican in all but three presidential races. At the state level, politics was long dominated by the Republican party, but has trended more Democratic in recent years. The current Governor Mike Dunleavy (R) was elected in 2018. Alaska allows ballot initiatives which have been used to enact policies such as legalization of marijuana. The state has pioneered election reforms such as instant runoff voting. Prominent political issues include resource development, Native Alaskan rights, government spending, and climate change.

Education

The Alaska public education system serves over 130,000 K-12 students across 504 schools in 54 districts. The state department of education oversees education policy. The largest school district is the Anchorage School District, serving nearly 47,000 students. Higher education is overseen by the University of Alaska system, with campuses in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau-Sitka. Other major colleges include Alaska Pacific University and Iḷisaġvik College, which serves the North Slope region. The state also has over 30 private and technical colleges.

Culture and Attractions

Alaska has a unique culture shaped by its indigenous heritage and diverse landscape. Alaska Native cultures are still thriving, with crafts, dances, and subsistence traditions being passed down generations. The state is also known for its rugged, pioneer spirit. Major attractions include: Cultural events like the Alaska State Fair, Native festivals, and Folk Fest celebrate the state's heritage. Residents and visitors enjoy the state's natural amenities from hiking to fishing, wildlife viewing, northern lights tours and more.

Major Cities

Some of the major cities and places to visit in Alaska include:

Transportation

Many Alaska communities are remote and difficult to access by road. Air travel is a vital connection for transportation around the state. The largest airport is Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), which handles most of the state's passenger traffic and international flights. Alaska Airlines is the major airline serving destinations within Alaska. Other major airlines provide service from Anchorage to major U.S. hubs. The Alaska Marine Highway provides ferry service that connects cities along the coast of Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington. The Alaska Railroad operates passenger and freight trains between Seward, Anchorage, Denali National Park and Fairbanks. Many major cities have public bus systems. However, traveling between most Alaska towns requires driving or flying privately. The main highway is the Alaska Highway, which connects Alaska to the lower 48 states via Canada. Cruise ships provide popular passenger tours, docking in coastal cities like Juneau, Ketchikan, and Seward. Ferries connect to more remote towns like Haines and Skagway.

Sports

Popular sports in Alaska include: The state is also home to several minor league and college sports teams. The University of Alaska Anchorage competes in NCAA Division II sports. Many Alaskans enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, hunting, kayaking, and camping throughout the state's remote wilderness areas.

Famous People from Alaska

Some notable people who were born in or lived in Alaska include:

Stay Connected

Keep up with news and events in Alaska's cities on social media: Anchorage Municipality Facebook Fairbanks North Star Borough Facebook City and Borough of Juneau Facebook Follow Alaska's official tourism account Travel Alaska on Facebook for travel inspiration.  

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