The map below is the
map of Alaska superimposed over the map of the lower 48 states of the US. As you can
see, Alaska makes the great state of Texas appear much smaller.
Relative size
of Alaska compared to continental US
Hey! Did
you know Alaska has no skunks or snakes???
The polar bear is
one of Alaska's population of animals unique to this state, of all the U.S.
Alaska's population of
606,000 makes it the third least populous state.
The state also boasts the lowest population density in the nation. There is 1.0 person per
square mile (1991) in Alaska, compared to 71.2 people per square mile for the entire U.S.
Alaska's state capital is Juneau,
a southeastern city of 30,000 people.
The state's largest city is Anchorage,
a south-central city with a little over 225,000 people.
The second largest city is Fairbanks,
located in the interior of the state, with just over 32,000 people.
Alaska is a
geographical marvel:
At 586,400 square miles, Alaska is the U.S.'s largest state, over twice the size of
Texas.
North to South, Alaska is 1,400 miles long.
East to West, it is 2,700 miles wide.
The state's coastline extends over 47,000 miles.
The 3.5 million acres of the Alaska State Park System constitutes the largest park system
in the US.
The Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the United States. It covers
almost the whole of Southeast Alaska.
Seventeen of the 20 highest peaks in the U.S. are located in Alaska.
Called Denali by the natives and later
named Mt. McKinley, located in Alaska's interior, is the highest point in North America,
at 20,320 feet above sea level.
Alaska's Flag:
The state flag was
designed by 13-year-old Bennie Benson from Chignik, Alaska, in 1926. The blue field is for
the sky and the Forget-Me-Not, the state flower. The North Star is for the future of the
state of Alaska, the most northerly of the Union. The dipper is for the Great Bear -
symbolizing strength.
Alaska's
State Flower, the forget-me-not:
Alaska's
State Song:
The state song is "Alaska's Flag",
written by Marie Drake, and set to music by Elinor Dusenbury:
Eight stars of
gold on a field of blue,
Alaska's Flag, may it mean to you
The blue of the sea, the evening sky,
The mountain lakes and the flower's nearby,
The gold of the early sourdough dreams,
The precious gold of the hills and streams,
The brilliant stars in the northern sky,
The Bear, the Dipper, and shining high,
The great North star with its steady light.
O'er land and sea a beacon bright,
Alaska's Flag to Alaskans dear,
The simple flag of a last frontier.
Alaska's
State Sport:
The state sport is dog mushing. Adopted by
the Alaska Legislature in 1972, dogsledding once was the primary form of transportation in
most of Alaska. Today dog sled racing is a popular winter sport.
You'll notice there are actually three ways to say this sport... dog
mushing, dogsledding, and dog sled racing. They are all correct.
Alaska's State
Bird:
The state bird is the Willow
Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus alascensis Swarth). Adopted by the Territorial Legislature in
1955, the Willow Ptarmigan is a small arctic grouse that lives on open tundra in boggy
areas.
Alaska's State
Mineral:
The state mineral is gold.
This mineral plays a large part in Alaska's history, from its discovery in Juneau in 1880
to the great gold rush at Nome in the first part of this century.
Gold was named the state mineral in 1968. You can find out more about
gold in Alaska on the Gold Prospecting page of this website.
Exploring the state of Alaska by Regions is
part of the state system of websites...
The region that Fairbanks is located
in, is the INTERIOR region, and this site will provide a lot of information, including
information to help you plan a visit to the area: Alaska Map
This
photo was taken in the heart of Fairbanks, on the Chena River. February brings the Yukon Quest dogsled
race. A very popular race of about 1,000 miles from Whitehorse, Yukon Territories,
Canada, to the city of Fairbanks. This photo was taken of a recent
race.
I hope you have
enjoyed learning more about Alaska! I will be adding to this from time to time, so
check back now and then.
Hey! Did
you know Alaska has no skunks or snakes??? 
