Interesting Facts about Alaska - Fun Facts about Alaska

Alaska is a US state situated in the continent of North America. Though having very little population, it is one of the wealthiest nations in North America, having the third highest per capita income. Alaska is the largest US state by area. Situated in the northwest area, it is surrounded by Yukon Territory, British Columbia and Canada in the east, the Gulf of Alaska and the Pacific Ocean in the south, the Bering Sea, Bering Strait, and Chukchi Sea in the west and the Beaufort Sea and the Arctic Ocean in the north. The state of Alaska has larger coastline than any of the US states combined. Look out for some interesting and fun facts about Alaska, listed below.

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Fun & Interesting Facts about Alaska

The official language of Alaska is English. While most of the people speak in English, the other recognized languages are Native North American, Spanish, Yupik, Tagalog and Inupiaq.
Alaska's name is based on the Eskimo word Alakshak, meaning great lands or peninsula.
Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867, for under 2 cents an acre
Alaska is larger than the combined area of Texas, California and Montana. It is even larger than 23 smallest U.S. states and districts, combined together.
The capital of Alaska is Juneau, the only capital city in the United States that is accessible by boat or plane only. The state's largest city is Anchorage, while the second largest is Fairbanks.
There are some areas in Alaska that have 24 hours daylight and some that have 24 hours night.
Alaska has been nicknamed ‘America's Last Frontier’ and ‘Land of the Midnight Sun’.
Alaska's most important revenue source is the oil and natural gas industry. It accounts for 25% of the oil produced in the United States.
The official state flower of Alaska is the wild Forget-me-not.
The official state bird of Alaska is the willow ptarmigan.
The official state tree of Alaska is the Sitka spruce.
Dog mushing is the official state sport of Alaska.
Nearly one-third of Alaska lies within the Arctic Circle.
Alaska’s coastline extends over 6,600 miles.
Alaska boasts of the lowest population density in the USA.
Kodiak, Prince of Wales and Chichagof are the largest island in Alaska.
Yukon is the largest river in Alaska.
The interior of Alaska has over 50,000 glaciers, 3,000 rivers and three million lakes.
17 of the 20 highest peaks in the United States are located in Alaska.
At 20,320 feet above sea level, Mt. McKinley, located in Alaska's interior, is the highest point in North America.
The Alaskan malamute sled dog is strong and heavily coated. It was developed as a breed by a group of Eskimos named the Malemiuts.
Alaska has the lowest individual tax burden in the United States and is one among the only five states with no state sales tax and one of seven states that do not levy an individual income tax.
Alaska's most populous city is Anchorage. The richest location in Alaska, by per capita income, is Halibut Cove.
Alaska has been identified as the least religious state in U.S.
Alaska also has a problem with "brain drain" as many of its young people, including most of the highest academic achievers; leave the state upon graduating high school.

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