Alaska is land worthy of many superlatives. Here we provide you with an interesting collection of some Alaska fun facts that may help satisfy your curiosity and whet your appetite.
Alaska Basics
Name Origin: The name of Alaska comes from the Aleut word Alyeska, meaning The Great Land.
Nick Names: The Last Frontier, Land of the Midnight Sun, The Great Land
Motto: North to the Future
Flower: Forget-me-not
Capital: Juneau is the only capital in the United States accessible only by boat or plane, except Honolulu, Hawaii.
Statehood: The US purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $7,200,00 (about 2 cents an acre) and made it the union’s 49th state on January 3, 1959.
Population: The population of Alaska is only 740,000 and compared to the population of bears in Alaska, there is 1 bear for every 7 people.
State Symbols and emblems:
- State Bird: Alaska Willow Ptarmigan
- State Tree: Sitka Spruce
- State Marine Mammal: Bowhead Whale
- State Fish: King Salmon, also known as the Chinook Salmon
- State Sport: Dog Mushing
- State Gem: Jade
- State Mineral: Gold
- State Insect: Four spot skimmer dragonfly
Fun Facts About Alaska’s History
Purchase from Russia: In 1867, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, a deal known as “Seward’s Folly” after Secretary of State William H. Seward.
Gold Rush: The Klondike Gold Rush, which began in 1896, brought an influx of settlers and prospectors to Alaska, significantly impacting its development.
World War II: Alaska was a crucial military outpost during World War II. The Aleutian Islands Campaign marked the only battles fought on American soil during the war.
Native Peoples: Alaska is home to diverse Indigenous cultures, including the Inupiat, Yupik, Aleut, Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples, each with rich histories and traditions.
Oil Discovery: The discovery of oil at Prudhoe Bay in 1968 led to the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, which significantly boosted the state’s economy.
Nome Serum Run: In 1925, a diphtheria outbreak in Nome led to the famous serum run, where dog sled teams transported life-saving medicine across the harsh Alaskan terrain.
Unique & Intersting Facts About Alaska
Land Area Size: Alaska is the largest state in the union, covering 570,373 square miles, approximately one fifth of the entire United States. Alaska is so large that the state of Rhode Island could fit into Alaska 425 times.
Greatest concentration of glaciers in North America: There are more active glaciers and ice fields in Alaska than in the rest of the inhabited world. The largest glacier is Malaspina at 805 square miles.
Tallest mountain in North America: Denali stands at 20,310 feet. Alaska is also home to 16 of the 20 highest mountains in the U.S.
Light vs. Dark: The Arctic Circle is an imaginary circle around the globe where on December 21 the sun never rises for twenty-four hours and on June 21 for twenty-four hours it never sets.
Gardening: Giant vegetables are common in Alaska due to the extremely long days in summer which account for a record cabbage weighing in at 138 pounds.
Northern Lights: Alaska is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights, especially in Fairbanks, where the phenomenon is visible about 243 days a year.
Volcanoes: Alaska has more than 130 volcanoes and volcanic fields that have been active within the last two million years. The state experiences an average of one earthquake per hour.
National Parks: Alaska boasts 17 of the 20 highest peaks in the United States, many of which are located within its national parks. Denali National Park and Preserve is home to Denali, North America’s highest peak.
Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race: This famous annual race commemorates the 1925 serum run to Nome and covers over 1,000 miles from Anchorage to Nome, testing the endurance of both mushers and their dog teams.
These interesting facts about Alaska highlight the state’s unique and fascinating characteristics, from its vast wilderness and vibrant wildlife to its rich cultural history and awe-inspiring natural phenomena. Whether you’re captivated by the spectacle of the Northern Lights, intrigued by its historical milestones, or drawn to the adventurous spirit embodied by the Iditarod, Alaska offers endless wonders to explore.