Alaska State Almanac: Facts and Figures
Quick Facts, Figures, and Overview of the State of Alaska
Alaska is one of the Pacific states in the northernmost state of the US, occupying the Northwest extremity
of North America with Canada to the east, Arctic Ocean to the north and Pacific Ocean to the west and north. The tremendous land mass of
Alaska - equal to one-fifth of the continental US only a few miles from the Russian Far East. The state includes
two major island groups, the Aleutian Islands, which extend in an arc West from the Southwest corner of the mainland, and the Alexander Archipelago,
adjacent to the Southeast coast of the mainland. In 1867 the United States purchased Alaska from Russia for just
over $7,000,000. It was one of the greatest land deals every recorded. Alaska's name is derived from the Aleut
word "Alyeska," meaning "great land" or "that which the sea breaks against."
By 2007, the oil and gas industry dominates the Alaskan economy, with more than 80% of the state's revenues derived from petroleum extraction. Alaska's
main export product (excluding oil and natural gas) is seafood, primarily salmon, cod, Pollock and crab. Alaska quickly began its incredible
economic contribution to the US economy.
Alaska Almanac: Facts and Figures on Alaska |
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|---|---|---|
| Official Name | Alaska | |
| Capital | Juneau | |
| Nicknames | "The Last Frontier" or "Land of the Midnight Sun"... and more | |
| Motto | North to the Future (Official) | |
| Location Region |
58.38858 N, 134.13342 W Alaska Pacific States |
|
| Constitution Ratified | April 24, 1956 | |
| Statehood | January 03, 1959 49th State |
|
| Population | 626,932 1.10 sq. mi. 48th |
|
| Largest City (by population) |
10 largest cities (2010): Anchorage, 291,826; Fairbanks, 31,535; Juneau, 31,275 Sitka, 8,881; Wasilla, 7,831; Kenai, 7,100; Ketchikan, 8,050; Palmer, 5,937; Kodiak, 6,130; Bethel, 6,080 | |
| Bordering States | North: Arctic Ocean East: Yukon Territory and British Columbia Southeast, South, and Southwest: Pacific Ocean West: Bering Sea, Bering Strait, and Arctic Ocean Coastline: 5580 mi. |
|
| 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 | |
| Alaska Boroughs | 27 Boroughs and 11 Geographical Census Areas in Alaska | |
| Largest Borough (by population) |
Anchorage Borough 291,826 (2010) 1,698 sq. mi. |
|
| Largest Borough (by area) |
Yukon-Koyukuk Borough 145,900 sq. mi. |
|
| State parks | 100 Plus - 3.5 million acres | |
| Electoral Votes | 3 | |
| US Congress | 2 Senators; 1 Representative | |
| Time Zone | Alaska Standard Time | |
| On September 15, 1983, Secretary Elizabeth Dole signed a plan to reduce the number of time zones in Alaska from four
to two; two weeks later, the plan became effective. Since that date, 90 percent of Alaska residents set their clocks to Alaska Standard Time (same
as Yukon), only one hour behind the West Coast. The far reaches of the Aleutian Islands and St. Lawrence Island are in the next zone, Hawaii-Aleutian
Standard Time. Alaska does participate in the Daylight Savings program from April to October along with most other states in the US. Before this change, Alaska's time zones were Pacific time (southeastern Alaska), Yukon time (Yakutat), Alaska time (from just east of Cold Bay and west of Yakutat northward, including Nome), and Bering time (the north coast of Alaska and the Aleutian chain). |
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| Zip Codes | NANPA | |
| State Quick Facts | Census Bureau Quick Facts | |
Alaska Climate and Weather |
|
|---|---|
| Temperatures in Alaska during the summer range from 600F-800F. Nighttime and early mornings are cooler, from the 40's - 50's. Late August and September departures could encounter cooler temperatures and slightly fewer hours of sunlight, as fall arrives early at these latitudes | |
| Highest Temperature | 100 degrees June 27, 1915 - Fort Yukon |
| Lowest Temperature | -80 degrees January 23, 1971 - Prospect Creek Camp |
| Avg. Temp: High - Low |
71.8 degrees -21.6 degrees |
Alaska Points of Interest |
|
| The natural, rugged beauty of Alaska is its foremost appeal. Some of the most popular destinations in this massive state include Glacier Bay National Park and the entire Inside Passage, Mt. McKinley and Denali National Park, Kenai Peninsula, Kodiak Island and the Pribilof Islands. | |
Alaska Highest, Lowest, and Mean Elevations (Feet) |
|
| Mean Elevation: 1,900 feet | |
| Highest Point: Mt. McKinley: 20,320 feet
|
|
| Lowest Point: | Pacific Ocean Sea level |
Alaska Land Area (Square Miles) |
|
| Geographic Center | The geographic center of Alaska is located approximately 60 miles northwest (NW) of Mt. McKinley Latitude: 63°50'N Longitude: 152°W |
| Total Area | 663,267.26 sq. miles 1st |
| Land Area | 571,951.26 sq. miles 66.24% |
| Water Area | 91,316.00 sq. miles 13.76% |
| Forested Land Area | 34.9% |
| Dimensions (Length - Width) |
1,480 miles - 810 miles |
Mount McKinley is the highest
peak in North America. It is a huge snowy mass, flanked by five giant glaciers and countless icefalls. It dominates the horizon from as far south
as Cook Inlet, 200 miles away, and as far north as Fairbanks, 150 miles away. Its steep unbroken south slope rises 17,000 feet in twelve miles. Five
major ridges extend from the summit, and many spurs and buttresses extend from these.
