40 Facts About Alaska – the US Bought It From the Russians

by Petr Novák, ? The accuracy of the information provided in this article was last verified on this date. If you spot any errors, please let us know in the comments. Thank you. :-) Updated 01/08/2024 Alaska, Trivia About the US states

Alaska is a unique American state. It is set apart from the rest, yet it is not an island. It was owned by the Russians until the mid-19th century, when the Americans bought it after a decision by the then Secretary of State. Some mainland USA residents resented this…

40 Interesting Facts About the State of Alaska

1. The USA purchased Alaska from the Russians on October 18, 1867, paying $7,200,000 for the territory at then-current prices.
2. Alaska became the 49th state of the United States on January 3, 1959.
3. About 25% of all oil produced in the USA comes from Alaska.
4. The most important economic commodity in Alaska is oil and gas production.
5. Alaska and Kodiak Island were first inhabited by Russian whalers and fur traders in the 17th century.
6. Alaska was first discovered by the outside world in 1741 by the Danish navigator Vitus Jonass Bering during his voyage from Siberia.
7. Since 1962, the state tree of Alaska has been the Sitka spruce.
8. The official motto of the state of Alaska is “North to the Future.”
9. Rhode Island, with its land area, would fit into Alaska 425 times in total.
10. The state metal of Alaska has been gold since 1968.
11. The geographic center of the state lies 60 mi northwest of the state’s highest mountain, Mount McKinley.
12. The Alaska state flag was designed in 1926 by Bennie Benson of Cognac when he was 13 years old.
13. The largest private employers in Alaska are fishing and seafood companies.
14. Prudhoe Bay on Alaska’s north coast is the largest oil field in North America.
15. Alaska’s population density is the lowest of any state in the USA.
16. Alaska became an official possession of the United States on October 18, 1867. Some Americans nicknamed the transaction “Seward’s Folly.”
17. Almost one-third of Alaska’s territory lies within the Arctic Circle.
18. The Alaska Legislature is composed of 20 senators elected to four-year terms and 40 members of the House of Representatives elected to two-year terms.
19. Every four years, the people of Alaska elect their governor and lieutenant governor.
20. 17 of the 20 highest mountains in the USA are in Alaska.
21. The gold rush in Alaska was started in 1880 by Joe Juneau. The entire town is named after him.
22. The Alaska Constitution was adopted in 1956 and went into effect three years later. In 1959, Alaska became the 49th state of the United States.
23. In 1943, the Japanese invaded the Aleutian Islands, starting the Battle of the Aleutian Islands. It was the first war on American soil since the Civil War.
24. The largest city in Alaska is Anchorage, followed by Fairbanks and Juneau.
25. The state’s English name, Alaska, comes from the Eskimo word Alakshak, which refers to a large plain or peninsula. The name thus refers to the state’s original inhabitants – the Aleuts, Eskimos, and Native American tribes.
26. In 1986, the Mount Augustine volcano near Anchorage erupted.
27. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline transports 88,000 barrels of crude oil every hour, running all the way to the refinery in Valdez, Alaska.
28. Alaska’s coastline stretches for 6,600 mi.
29. The largest national forest in the United States is the Tongass National Forest in Alaska.
30. The state seal of Alaska was created in 1910 by an unknown artist. It features the rising sun illuminating forests, a lake, fishing and cargo ships, farmland, and mines.
31. The Alaska Highway was originally intended to be a supply route during World War II.
32. In 1915, the highest temperature in the state was recorded at Fort Yukon at 100°F. The lowest temperature on record (-80°F) was measured in 1971 at Prospect Creek Camp.
33. Alaska is nicknamed “America’s Last Frontier.”
34. The Alaska Range is the largest mountain range in the state. It stretches from the Alaska Peninsula to the Yukon Territory.
35. The only places occupied by Japanese soldiers during World War II are the islands of Agattu, Attu, and Kiska.
36. The discovery of gold in the Yukon started a gold rush in 1898. The precious metal was then also discovered near Nome and Fairbanks.
37. Alaska is the largest state in the USA. If we overlaid a map of the continental 48 states on it, it would extend from the west coast to the east coast.
38. At 20,322 ft, the highest mountain in North America is Mount McKinley.
39. The Alaskan Malamute, a breed designed for sled dog racing, is a strong, thick-coated dog. The breed was developed by a group of Eskimos.
40. Alaska is the largest state in the United States. The second-largest state, Texas, would fit into Alaska almost 2.5 times. It measures approximately 1,398 mi from north to south and about 2,703 mi from east to west.

Do you know any other interesting facts about Alaska? Let us know in the discussion below this article. :-)