# Alaska

> state of the United States of America

**Wikidata**: [Q797](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q797)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alaska

## Summary
Alaska is a state of the United States of America located in the northwestern extremity of North America. Admitted to the Union on January 3, 1959, as the 49th state, it is the largest U.S. state by area and is an exclave bordered by Canada to the east and the Arctic and Pacific oceans to the north and west. Known as "The Last Frontier," it is characterized by vast wilderness, diverse indigenous cultures, and significant natural resources.

## Key Facts
- **Inception:** Admitted as the 49th U.S. state on January 3, 1959.
- **Predecessors:** Territory of Alaska (1912–1959), District of Alaska (1884–1912), Department of Alaska (1867–1884).
- **Capital:** Juneau.
- **Largest City:** Anchorage.
- **Area:** 1,717,856 km² (largest U.S. state).
- **Population:** Approximately 733,391 (estimates vary by year).
- **Motto:** "North to the Future."
- **Nickname:** "The Last Frontier."
- **Highest Point:** Denali (Mount McKinley), 6,190 m.
- **Borders:** Canada (east), maritime borders with Russia (west).
- **Time Zones:** Hawaii–Aleutian Time Zone, Alaska Time Zone.
- **Official Languages:** English (de facto), plus numerous indigenous languages including Tlingit, Iñupiaq, Yupik, Aleut, and Dena'ina.
- **Statehood Date:** January 3, 1959.
- **Coordinates:** 64°N 150°W.
- **Major Industries:** Oil and gas (Prudhoe Bay), fishing, tourism, and resource extraction.
- **Key Infrastructure:** Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, Alaska Railroad, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.

## FAQs
**Where is Alaska located?**
Alaska is an exclave in the northwest extremity of North America, bordered by the Canadian territory of Yukon to the east and the Arctic Ocean to the north. It is separated from the contiguous United States by Canada.

**When did Alaska become a state?**
Alaska became the 49th state of the United States on January 3, 1959, succeeding the Territory of Alaska which existed from 1912 to 1959.

**What is the capital and largest city of Alaska?**
The capital of Alaska is Juneau, while the largest city is Anchorage. Other significant population centers include Fairbanks, Sitka, and Ketchikan.

**What is the highest peak in Alaska?**
The highest point in Alaska and North America is Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley), which stands at 6,190 meters (20,310 feet).

**What are the major geographic features?**
Alaska features numerous mountain ranges including the Alaska Range, Brooks Range, and Aleutian Range. It contains thousands of islands such as the Aleutian Islands and Kodiak Island, extensive river systems like the Yukon and Kuskokwim, and vast coastal areas along the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska.

## Why It Matters
Alaska is critical to the United States for its strategic geopolitical position bordering the Arctic and Russia, serving as a key location for national defense and Arctic operations. Economically, it is a powerhouse of natural resources, hosting the Prudhoe Bay Oil Field and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, which are vital to domestic energy supplies. The state's vast wilderness areas, such as Denali National Park and the Tongass National Forest, play a crucial role in global biodiversity conservation and climate change research. Culturally, Alaska is home to a rich diversity of Indigenous peoples and languages, preserving unique heritage that dates back thousands of years.

## Notable For
- Being the largest state in the United States by area.
- Being an exclave separated from the contiguous United States.
- Containing Denali, the highest peak in North America.
- Hosting the 1964 Alaska earthquake, the most powerful recorded in North American history.
- The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, a major engineering feat for oil transport.
- The Aleutian Islands Campaign during World War II.
- The Nome Gold Rush of approximately 1899–1909.
- Having the highest concentration of glaciers in North America.
- The University of Alaska system, including the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Southeast.
- The Alaska Railroad, a Class II railroad vital for state transport.

## Body

### Geography and Physical Features
Alaska's geography is defined by its vast size and diverse terrain, ranging from coastal rainforests to Arctic tundra.
- **Mountain Ranges:** The state is home to the Alaska Range, which includes Denali; the Brooks Range in the north; the Aleutian Range extending along the Alaska Peninsula; the Wrangell Mountains; the Chugach Mountains; and the Kenai Mountains. Notable peaks include Mount Foraker, Mount Blackburn, Mount Sanford, and Mount Hunter.
- **Volcanoes:** Located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, Alaska features numerous active volcanoes including Mount Shishaldin, Mount Veniaminof, Mount Spurr, Augustine Volcano, Novarupta, and Mount Redoubt.
- **Water Bodies:** Major bodies of water include the Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Beaufort Sea, Norton Sound, Cook Inlet, Prince William Sound, and Bristol Bay. The state shares the Bering Strait with Russia.
- **Islands:** Significant island groups include the Aleutian Islands, Kodiak Archipelago, Alexander Archipelago, and the Diomede Islands. Specific islands include Kodiak Island, Unalaska, Baranof Island, Revillagigedo Island, and St. Matthew Island.
- **Rivers:** Major river systems include the Yukon River, Kuskokwim River, Copper River, Tanana River, Colville River, Susitna River, and Nushagak River.
- **Glaciers:** Alaska contains thousands of glaciers, such as the Mendenhall Glacier, Hubbard Glacier, Bering Glacier, Malaspina Glacier, Columbia Glacier, and Portage Glacier.
- **Peninsulas:** Key landforms include the Alaska Peninsula, Seward Peninsula, Kenai Peninsula, and Chilkat Peninsula.

### Administrative Divisions and Settlements
Alaska is organized into boroughs and census areas, with distinct urban and rural communities.
- **Boroughs:** Organized boroughs include the Fairbanks North Star Borough, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, North Slope Borough, Anchorage Municipality, Juneau Borough, Sitka Borough, Ketchikan Gateway Borough, and Kodiak Island Borough.
- **Census Areas:** The Unorganized Borough is divided into census areas such as the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Nome Census Area, Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, and Valdez–Cordova Census Area.
- **Major Cities:** Anchorage is the most populous city. Juneau serves as the state capital. Other significant cities include Fairbanks, Sitka, Ketchikan, Wasilla, Kenai, Kodiak, Palmer, Bethel, and Utqiaġvik (formerly Barrow).
- **Towns and Communities:** Smaller communities include Seward, Skagway, Wrangell, Haines, Valdez, Cordova, Homer, Nome, and Dillingham.

### Infrastructure and Economy
The state's economy relies heavily on resource extraction and transportation infrastructure.
- **Oil and Gas:** The Prudhoe Bay Oil Field is a major source of crude oil, connected to the port of Valdez via the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System.
- **Transportation:** The Alaska Railroad provides freight and passenger service. Key highways include the Alaska Highway, Richardson Highway, Seward Highway, George Parks Highway, Sterling Highway, and Denali Highway.
- **Aviation:** Due to the vast terrain, aviation is critical. Major airports include Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Fairbanks International Airport, and Juneau International Airport. There are numerous smaller airports and seaplane bases such as Ketchikan International Airport, Sitka Airport, and Nome Airport.
- **Tunnels:** The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel connects the Kenai Peninsula to Whittier.

### Conservation and Environment
Alaska contains vast protected areas, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests.
- **National Parks:** Notable parks include Denali National Park and Preserve, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Katmai National Park and Preserve, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Kobuk Valley National Park.
- **Wildlife Refuges:** The state hosts numerous refuges such as the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, and Togiak National Wildlife Refuge.
- **Forests:** The Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the United States.
- **Monuments:** National monuments include Misty Fiords National Monument, Admiralty Island National Monument, and Cape Krusenstern National Monument.

### History and Governance
Alaska's history spans from Indigenous habitation to Russian colonization and American statehood.
- **Timeline:** Russia sold Alaska to the United States in 1867 (Alaska Purchase). It was organized as the Department of Alaska (1867), District of Alaska (1884), Territory of Alaska (1912), and finally achieved statehood in 1959.
- **Historical Events:** Significant events include the Nome Gold Rush (1899–1909), the 1964 Alaska earthquake (magnitude 9.2), the 2002 Denali earthquake, and the Aleutian Islands Campaign during WWII.
- **Governance:** The state government is headquartered in Juneau at the Alaska State Capitol. Law enforcement is provided by the Alaska State Troopers. Political movements include the Alaskan Independence Party.

### Culture and Demographics
The state has a rich cultural heritage influenced by its Indigenous populations and diverse settlers.
- **Indigenous Languages:** Officially recognized languages include English and numerous Indigenous languages such as Tlingit, Haida, Iñupiaq, Yupik, Aleut, Dena'ina, Deg Xinag, Holikachuk, Koyukon, Upper Kuskokwim, Gwich’in, Tanacross, Hän, Ahtna, Eyak, and Tsimshian.
- **Education:** Higher education is served by the University of Alaska system, including the University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Alaska Southeast, and Iḷisaġvik College.
- **Indigenous Groups:** Major Indigenous groups include the Tlingit, Haida, Iñupiaq people, and Yupik people.
- **Symbols:** The state flag features the Big Dipper and the North Star. The state motto is "North to the Future."

## References

1. [Source](http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/20140423/alaskas-official-indigenous-languages-and-emotions-revitalization)
2. [Source](https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2014/04/21/305688602/alaska-oks-bill-making-native-languages-official)
3. [Source](http://www.legis.state.ak.us/PDF/28/Bills/HB0216B.PDF)
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11. [2010 United States Census](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0100000US%241600000&y=2010&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29)
12. [2020 United States Census](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?t=Populations%20and%20People&g=0100000US,%241600000&y=2020)
13. [2016–2020 American Community Survey](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?d=ACS%205-Year%20Estimates%20Detailed%20Tables)
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21. [Sec 11.41.436. Sexual Abuse of a Minor in the Second Degree - The Alaska Legal Ressource Center. The Alaska Legal Resource Center](http://www.touchngo.com/lglcntr/akstats/Statutes/Title11/Chapter41/Section436.htm)
22. [Source](https://www.tripadvisor.com.br/Tourism-g28923-Alaska-Vacations.html)
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27. [Source](https://www.minimum-wage.org/wage-by-state)
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33. museum-digital
34. [Source](https://entities.oclc.org/worldcat/entity/E39QbtfRq9rTfb3H89Vvrr9x9c.html)
35. Best Alaska Posts - Reddit. Reddit
36. [Internet Domains Wikibase](https://domains.wikibase.cloud/entity/Q1960)