Alaska (AK) is the largest state in the USA and the only state with coastlines on both the Pacific and Arctic Oceans. Juneau can only be reached from other states by air or boat. Alaska is characterized by its harsh weather and national parks, and is home to the highest mountain in the USA, Denali, with a height of 20,308 ft. Oil production and fishing are important to Alaska’s economy. Interestingly, Alaska was purchased by the Americans from Russia in 1867.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name Alaska Abbreviation AK Capital Juneau Largest city Anchorage (Population: 286 075) Current time 6:52 Time zone AKST (UTC-9), the state observes daylight saving time AKDT (UTC-8) Population 733,374 (#48 most populous US state) Area 665,380 mi² (#1 largest US state) Admitted to the Union January 3, 1959 (#49 state to join) ⭐ Capital of Alaska
The capital of the state of Alaska is Juneau, which was named after French-Canadian gold miner Joseph Juneau. It became so on January 3, 1959, when Alaska entered the Union as the 49th state. Juneau had been the capital of Alaska Territory since 1906, when it moved there from Sitka.
🏙️ Largest City in Alaska
The largest city in Alaska is Anchorage, with a population of 286,075 as of 2023. The second largest city is Fairbanks with a population of 31,856, and the third largest is closely followed by the capital city of Juneau with a population of 31,555.
🕒 Time in Alaska
The current time in Anchorage, Alaska is 6:52. Almost all of Alaska observes Alaska Standard Time (AKST, UTC-9) and recognizes AKDT Daylight Saving Time (UTC-8) from March to November. Only the Aleutian Islands to the west recognize Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HAST, UTC-10).
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Alaska
As of 2023, Alaska had a population of 733,374, making it the 48th most populous state in the USA.
📍 Area of Alaska
The total area of Alaska is 665,380 mi², of which 586,409 mi² is land and 91,315 mi² is water. By land area, Alaska is the largest state in the USA.
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Fun Facts About Alaska
🧩 Alaska Neighboring States
Alaska’s only neighbor is Canada to the east, the rest of the territory has coastlines with the Chukchi Sea, the Beaufort Sea (or Arctic Ocean) and the Pacific Ocean. The length of Alaska’s coastline 46,600 mi is greater than the coastlines of the remaining 49 US states combined.
📅 Date of Alaska Statehood
Alaska entered the Union on January 3, 1959 as the 49th state, becoming the 49th state from the original Territory of Alaska.
📛 Nickname of the State of Alaska
Alaska is nicknamed “The Last Frontier”, referring to its wilderness and geographical distance from the rest of the United States.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in Alaska
The highest mountain in Alaska, and by extension the United States, is Denali (20,310 ft), which was officially named Mount McKinley until 2015. Denali is located in the Alaskan mountains.
🏞️ Rivers in Alaska
The longest river in Alaska is the Yukon River with a flow length of 1,982 mi. It is followed by the Kuskokwim River (702 mi), Tanana River (584 mi), Porcupine River (569 mi) and Innoko River (497 mi).
🎓 Universities in Alaska
The largest university in Alaska is the University of Alaska Anchorage, which was founded in 1954 in Anchorage and is attended by around 14,000 students. The second largest with over 9 thousand students is the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the third largest with approximately 4,500 students is the satellite campus of Wayland Baptist University in Anchorage.
✉️ Alaska ZIP Codes
Alaska has a dedicated 995xx-999xx range, see the article ZIP Codes in the USA for details. You can look up the ZIP code for a specific address on the United States Postal Service website.
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Weather in Alaska
The best time to visit Alaska is summer, when temperatures are comfortable and nature is in full bloom. Alaska is the coldest state in the USA, with some areas remaining covered in snow year-round. In the interior, large temperature fluctuations must be expected.
Springtime in Alaska is marked by declining snowfall, with average temperatures ranging from 32°F to 46°F. The snow melts slowly, which causes the roads to become muddy.
Summers in Alaska are short, with temperatures usually in the comfortable range of 54°F to 64°F. Rainfall is relatively light, with thunderstorms occurring, especially in the southern parts of the state. In northern Alaska, it is possible to experience a polar day when the sun does not set at all for several weeks.
Autumn in Alaska brings a shortening of daylight hours and a significant drop in temperatures in September and October. Average fall temperatures range from 28°F to 46°F. The weather tends to be variable, with snow showers in late October and early November.
Alaska winters are long and very cold, with temperatures usually between 23°F and 14°F, dropping to -22°F in some areas. Snowfalls are very heavy and nights are long.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Alaska
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Things to Do in Alaska
1️⃣ Denali National Park
Denali National Park is home to North America’s highest peak, formerly known as Mount McKinley. The park is popular for its diverse wildlife and rich fauna, with grizzly bears, wolves and moose to be found in the wild.
2️⃣ Anchorage
Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city and serves as the starting point for many tourist destinations. The city is home to the Museum of Alaska History and Culture, which educates visitors about the state’s history. There are several hiking tours or aurora viewing opportunities in the city’s surroundings.
3️⃣ Kenai Fjords National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park is located in southern Alaska and, as the name suggests, is known for its sea fjords and huge glaciers. Most tourists visit the park by cruise ship, where they can see seals, sea otters, and whales. A popular attraction in the park is the Exit Glacier, which is one of the few glaciers that can be reached on foot by land. Kayaks are usually used to get around the park.
4️⃣ Fairbanks
Fairbanks is known as the gateway to Alaska’s Arctic, and especially in the winter months, the city offers ideal conditions for aurora viewing. Nearby Fairbanks is Chena Hot Springs, a popular place to relax and unwind.
5️⃣ Glacier Bay National Park
Glacier Bay National Park is known for its large glaciers, some of which are rushing into the sea as they melt. The park’s animal kingdom is home to bears, bald eagles and whales, which are best seen from the deck of a cruise ship. There are several marked hiking trails of varying difficulty in the park.
6️⃣ Skagway
Skagway used to be an important transportation and supply hub during the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 19th century. Today, it is a small town where many memories of its former glory still survive. You can visit a historic park that commemorates the gold rush era or take a trip on the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railway through the mountains.
7️⃣ Katmai National Park
Katmai National Park is famous for the Ten Thousand Smokes valley, which took on a new face after the eruption of the Novarupta volcano in 1912. It was the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century. The park is home to a large number of grizzly bears, which can be seen hunting for salmon in the river. Katmai is one of the most inaccessible national parks, accessible only by air or boat.
8️⃣ Sitka
Sitka used to be the capital of Alaska when the state still belonged to Russia. The city has a very rich history associated with Russian colonialism, and tourists can visit the Orthodox church. Sitka is only accessible by boat or plane, but offers beautiful views of the ocean and surrounding mountains. Outdoor enthusiasts will also enjoy the view of eagles, whales and bears.
9️⃣ Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is the largest national park in the USA in terms of area, and 20,625 mi² is home to some of the largest glaciers in the world and several still active volcanoes. An interesting historical site within the park is the well-preserved town of Kennecott, where copper was once mined. This little-visited park is a good place to visit for those who want to enjoy hiking or camping without the crowds.
🔟 Other National Parks in Alaska
Alaska is synonymous with wild and untamed nature, protected in many areas by national park status. Along with the above, you can also visit the Gates of the Arctic, which is the northernmost of all the national parks, lying entirely above the Arctic Circle.
Kobuk Valley National Park is famous for its herds of North American reindeer, also called caribou. Lake Clark National Park is located around the lake of the same name, with glaciers forming the tops of its mountains.
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Largest Cities in Alaska
The table below shows the ten largest cities in Alaska in 2023, the source of the data is the United States Census Bureau, a federal agency whose main task is the census.
City County Population 1 Anchorage Anchorage 286,075 Map of Anchorage 2 Fairbanks Fairbanks North Star 31,856 Map of Fairbanks 3 Juneau Juneau 31,555 Map of Juneau 4 Wasilla Matanuska-Susitna 9,945 Map of Wasilla 5 Sitka Sitka 8,282 Map of Sitka 6 Ketchikan Ketchikan Gateway 8,079 Map of Ketchikan 7 Kenai Kenai Peninsula 7,746 Map of Kenai 8 Palmer Matanuska-Susitna 6,378 Map of Palmer 9 Bethel – 6,292 Map of Bethel 10 Homer Kenai Peninsula 6,040 Map of Homer -
Sports Teams in Alaska
🏒 Ice Hockey (NHL)
Alaska is not represented in the NHL.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
Alaska is not represented in the NFL.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
There is no team in Alaska that plays in the NBA.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
There is no team from Alaska in the MLB baseball league.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
No team from Alaska plays in the MLS.
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Alaska State Symbols
Alaska has a number of different official symbols, only a few of which are listed in the text.
State Flag of Alaska
Alaska’s state flag was adopted on May 2, 1927, designed by then 14-year-old Benny Benson of Seward. The flag is dark blue with eight gold stars representing the constellations of the Big Dipper and Polaris.
Great Seal of Alaska
The design of the Alaska seal depicts rays over mountains, symbolizing the sun and various natural features. The smelters on the left refer to the mining industry, the train symbolizes the Alaska Railroad, and the ships symbolize transportation by sea. The trees symbolize forests, and the farmer with his horse and wheat refers to agriculture. Alaska adopted its current seal in 1910, before statehood.
State Motto
Alaska’s official motto is “North to the Future”, which was adopted in 1967 on the centennial of the purchase of Alaska from the Russians. The motto is a reminder that Alaska is separate from the lower 48 states and can signify a new haven for those who long for freedom.
State Flower
Since 1917, Alaska’s state flower has been the alpine forget-me-not (Myosotis alpestris), which grows in mountain meadows.
State Tree
The Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), which is abundant in southeast Alaska, was declared the state tree in 1962. The tree’s name was derived from the town of Sitka.
State Bird
The symbol of Alaska since 1955 is the willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus), which nests in local birches.
State Fish
In 1962, Alaska declared the Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), which is commonly found in local rivers, the state fish.
State Land Mammal
The official symbol since 1998 is the moose, of which there are about 175,000 in Alaska.
State Mineral
Since 1968, gold, which began to be mined in Alaska in the second half of the 19th century, has been the official state mineral. The first gold rush in the area began in August 1896 when a deposit was discovered near Canada’s Yukon River.
State Sport
In 1972, dog mushing was declared the official state sport. In the past, it was a common mode of transportation in remote parts of Alaska.
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