Alaska History

Alaska Facts

Alaska Facts

Alaska was the 49th state in the USA; it became a state on January 3, 1959.

State Abbreviation - AK
State Capital - Juneau
Largest City - Anchorage
Area - 656,425 square miles [Alaska is the biggest state in the USA]
Population - 626,932 (as of 2000) [Alaska is the 48th most populous state in the USA]
Name for Residents - Alaskans
Major Industry - oil (petroleum)
Major Rivers - Yukon River, Kuskokwim River, Colville River, Copper River
Major Lakes - Iliamna Lake, Aleknagik Lake, Becharof Lake, Clark Lake, Minchumina Lake
Highest Point - Mt. McKinley - 20,320 feet (6,194 m) above sea level - this is the highest point in the USA.
Bordering US States - none
Bordering Country - Canada
Bordering Body of Water - Arctic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Beaufort Sea, Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska
Origin of the Name Alaska - The word Alaska is from the Aleut Indian word "alaxsxaq" or "agunalaksh" that mean the mainland or shore.
State Nickname - The Last Frontier
State Motto - "North To The Future"
State Song - Alaska's Flag
Dinosaur Fossils Found in Alaska - Albertosaurus, Ankylosaur (unknown genus), Edmontosaurus, Pachycephalosaurus, Pachyrhinosaurus, Saurornitholestes, Thescelosaurus, Troödon