Alaska

Alaska is a large U.S. state located in the northwestern part of North America. It is one of the two non-contiguous U.S. states, along with Hawaii. Alaska is the largest U.S. state by area, bigger than the next three largest states—Texas, California, and Montana—combined. Despite its size, it is also one of the least populated states, with many areas being very open and sparsely settled.

Indigenous people have lived in Alaska for thousands of years, and many believe it was the entry point for the first people to settle in the Americas via the Bering land bridge. In the 18th century, the Russian Empire colonized the area, calling it Russian America. Later, in 1867, Russia sold it to the United States for US$7.2 million. Alaska became a official U.S. state on January 3, 1959.

Today, Alaska’s economy is supported by natural resources such as commercial fishing, natural gas, and oil. The state also benefits from tourism and military bases. With its vast wilderness, Alaska includes many national forests, national parks, and wildlife refuges. The state has a special character, with a high proportion of Native American people and unique laws, such as being one of the first places to legalize recreational marijuana.

Etymology

The name Alaska comes from an idea in the Aleut language, which means "the mainland." It was first used during the time when Russia ruled the area. The name originally talked about the Alaska Peninsula, which sticks out into the sea.

History

Main articles: Prehistory of Alaska and History of Alaska

Many Indigenous groups lived in Alaska for thousands of years before Europeans arrived. Studies of language and DNA show how people first crossed into North America via the Bering land bridge. Important archaeological finds, like the remains of a baby at the Upward Sun River site in the Tanana Valley, give clues about early life there.

Later, the Tlingit people created a society with special ways of passing down property in parts of what is now Southeast Alaska, British Columbia, and the Yukon. Other groups, like the Haida and Tsimshian, also made their homes in the region.

Russian explorers began arriving in the 1700s, and by 1784 they had created the first permanent European settlement. In 1867, the United States bought Alaska from Russia in a deal called the Alaska Purchase. At first, Alaska was governed by military leaders, and later it became a territory.

In 1912, Alaska became an organized territory, and its capital moved from Sitka to Juneau. During World War II, parts of the Aleutian Islands were occupied by Japan.

Alaska became a state on January 3, 1959. One of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded struck Alaska on March 27, 1964. This Good Friday earthquake caused widespread damage and was felt across the northern hemisphere.

The discovery of oil at Prudhoe Bay in 1968 brought great wealth to Alaska. The money from oil helped fund the state and led to the building of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. Tourism also grew, bringing visitors to enjoy Alaska’s natural beauty. Today, debates continue about balancing development with protecting Alaska’s wild spaces.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Alaska

Alaska is located at the northwest corner of North America, very near to Asia. It is the northernmost and westernmost state in the United States, and also has the most easterly longitude because the Aleutian Islands extend into the Eastern Hemisphere. Alaska is the only non-contiguous U.S. state on continental North America; about 500 miles (800 km) of Canadian territory consisting of British Columbia separates Alaska from Washington. The capital city, Juneau, is situated on the mainland but is not connected by road to the rest of the North American highway system. The largest lake in Alaska is Lake Illiamna.

Alaska is bordered by Canada's Yukon and British Columbia to the east, the Gulf of Alaska and the Pacific Ocean to the south and southwest, the Bering Sea, Bering Strait, and Chukchi Sea to the west, and the Arctic Ocean to the north. Alaska has a longer coastline than all the other U.S. states combined. At 663,268 square miles (1,717,856 km²) in total area, Alaska is by far the largest state in the United States. It is more than twice the size of the second-largest U.S. state and larger than the next three largest states combined.

Alaska has more than 409,000 natural lakes and covers large areas of marshland and wetland. Glacier ice covers a significant portion of the state, including the Bering Glacier, the largest glacier in North America. The state also features many active volcanoes, especially in the Aleutian Islands and coastal regions. One of the world's largest tides occurs in Turnagain Arm, just south of Anchorage.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Alaska

The United States Census Bureau reported that Alaska's population was 733,391 in 2020, marking a 3.3% increase since 2010. Alaska is the least densely populated state in the U.S., with just 1.2 inhabitants per square mile. Despite its vast size, it is the largest U.S. state by area.

In terms of race and ethnicity, most Alaskans are white, with significant populations of American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, and Hispanic or Latin American people. Many residents also speak languages other than English at home, including Spanish and various Indigenous languages. Alaska recognizes twenty official Indigenous languages, reflecting its rich cultural heritage.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Alaska

See also: Alaska locations by per capita income and List of Alaska companies

Alaska's economy is strongly influenced by its natural resources, especially oil and gas. The oil industry provides most of the state's income. Other important sectors include fishing, especially for salmon, cod, pollock, and crab, as well as government jobs and military bases.

The state also has many small businesses and benefits from federal money that helps keep taxes low. Alaska has plenty of energy resources, such as oil, coal, and natural gas, and it has great potential for hydroelectric, wind, and geothermal power. The Alaska Permanent Fund, created from oil money, saves some of this wealth and shares part of its profits with people who live in Alaska. Because Alaska is far from other states, everyday items often cost more there than elsewhere in the U.S.

Culture

See also: List of artists and writers from Alaska

Alaska has many fun yearly events, such as the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from Anchorage to Nome and the World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks. Festivals like the Blueberry Festival and Alaska Hummingbird Festival in Ketchikan celebrate the state's natural beauty. The Stikine River even hosts the largest gathering of American bald eagles in the world.

The Alaska Native Heritage Center teaches people about the traditions of Alaska's 11 cultural groups. The Alaska Native Arts Foundation helps share Native art with the world. Music in Alaska blends traditional Native sounds with styles brought by immigrants, featuring artists like singer Jewel and flautist Mary Youngblood. The state proud song is "Alaska's Flag", adopted in 1955.

Music

Main article: Music of Alaska

Alaska's music comes from many places, including the traditions of Alaska Natives and the folk styles of immigrants from Russia and Europe. Famous musicians from Alaska include Jewel, Mary Youngblood, and Libby Roderick. The state has many music festivals, like the Alaska Folk Festival and the Sitka Summer Music Festival. The Anchorage Symphony Orchestra is the most well-known orchestra, with others like the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra and Juneau Symphony.

Film and television

See also: List of films set in Alaska

Some movies, such as Never Cry Wolf and White Fang, were filmed in Alaska. Many reality TV shows also take place in the state, with ten being set there as of 2011.

Sports

See also: Alaska Sports Hall of Fame

Alaska has many places where people can play and watch sports. In Anchorage, you can visit venues like Alyeska Resort, Chugach State Park, Mulcahy Stadium, Sullivan Arena, and the Alaska Airlines Center. Anchorage is home to teams such as the Anchorage Wolverines, Anchorage Bucs, Anchorage Glacier Pilots, Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves men's ice hockey, Rage City Rollergirls, Arctic Rush, Cook Inlet SC, and Pioneer United FC. Popular events include the Great Alaska Shootout, an NCAA basketball tournament, the Sadler's Ultra Challenge wheelchair race, the Tour of Anchorage ski race, and the World Eskimo Indian Olympics.

Fairbanks also has sports venues and teams, such as the Carlson Center, Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks, Alaska Nanooks men's ice hockey, Fairbanks Ice Dogs, Fairbanks Rollergirls, and Fairbanks SC. Events there include the Sadler's Ultra Challenge, Sonot Kkaazoot, and the World Eskimo Indian Olympics. Other parts of Alaska host teams like MatSu United FC, Denali Destroyer Dolls, Kenai River Brown Bears, Mat-Su Miners, and Peninsula Oilers. Events include the Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic, Arctic Winter Games, Mount Marathon Race, and the World Extreme Skiing Championship.

Alaska is also famous for dog mushing races, including the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Iron Dog, Junior Iditarod, Kuskokwim 300, Tustumena 200, and Yukon Quest.

Public health and safety

The Alaska State Troopers are Alaska's statewide police force, established in 1941. Before this, law enforcement was managed by various federal agencies. Today, the Troopers enforce traffic and criminal laws and also oversee hunting and fishing regulations. They use a range of vehicles to patrol Alaska's varied terrain.

Many rural areas in Alaska are "dry," meaning they prohibit the importation of alcoholic beverages. Some health challenges exist in the state, including varying levels of health insurance coverage and the presence of hospitals in major cities like Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau. For more information, see the List of hospitals in Alaska.

Education

The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development oversees many school districts across the state, including a special boarding school called Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka. Alaska is home to more than a dozen colleges and universities in Alaska, such as the University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and University of Alaska Southeast.

Alaska faces challenges in keeping young people in the state after they finish high school. To help, the University of Alaska offers special scholarships to top students through the Alaska Scholars Program. Some smaller rural schools have closed due to having too few students.

Transportation

Main article: Transportation in Alaska

Alaska has fewer roads than most parts of the U.S. The main road connects central areas and leads to the Alaska Highway, which goes through Canada. The capital, Juneau, cannot be reached by road and requires ferry or flight travel. The western part of Alaska also lacks roads connecting its communities.

The state has about 1,082 miles of interstate highways, though many are not built to standard interstate quality. One special feature is the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, which is both a road and rail tunnel linking Whittier to the Seward Highway. For areas without roads, such as coastal regions in southwest Alaska, travel is often by air taxi, scheduled flights, or ferry services.

The Alaska Railroad, built around 1915, connects Seward through Anchorage to Interior Alaska. It remains important for moving freight and offering summer passenger tours. Another historic railroad, the White Pass and Yukon Route, runs from Skagway into Canada and is popular with tourists.

Many Alaskan communities can only be reached by sea, air, river, or dogsled. The state has a well-developed ferry system, including the Alaska Marine Highway, which serves coastal towns. Cruise ships also bring many visitors to places like Ketchikan in the summer.

Air travel is essential in Alaska, especially for villages without road, sea, or river access. Anchorage has a major international airport, and many smaller airlines and bush pilots provide flights to remote areas. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is a famous annual event remembering a historic dogsled journey that delivered medicine to Nome.

Communication

Alaska’s internet and data services are mainly provided by two big companies: GCI and Alaska Communications. GCI runs a network called the Alaska United Fiber Optic system. In early 2011, Alaska Communications said it had special fast connections linking Alaska to the rest of the United States and within Alaska itself. There were also plans for a very expensive project to link Alaska with Asia, helped by money from the government.

Law and government

Main article: Government of Alaska

Like all U.S. states, Alaska is governed as a republic, with three branches of government: an executive branch led by the governor; a legislative branch made up of the Alaska House of Representatives and Alaska Senate; and a judicial branch that includes the Alaska Supreme Court and lower courts.

Alaska's state legislature has 40 members in the House of Representatives and 20 senators. Governors serve four-year terms, and senators also serve four years while House members serve two years. The state's court system includes the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, Superior Courts, and district courts.