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Photo by: Valesa V. Linnean |
Moose and other wildlife are a common sight in Anchorage and surrounding areas |
Alaska State Mammal: Moose
Alaska Area: 586,412 sq. mi. - two and a half times larger than Texas
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Alaska is the largest state in the U.S., with an area of 586,412 sq. miles and 6,640 miles of coastline |
Alaska State Population: 626,932
Alaska State Fish: King Salmon
Alaska State Bird: Ptarmigan
Alaska State Fossil: Woolly Mammoth
Alaska State Insect: Dragonfly
Alaska State Flower: Forget-me-not
Alaska State Tree: Sitka Spruce
Alaska State Mineral: Gold
Alaska State Gem: Jade
Alaska State Sport: Dog Mushing
Alaska State Capital:
Juneau (the 3rd largest city in Alaska with a population of about 31,262) the only state capital in the US with no road access. Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska, with approximately
277,500 people (almost half the population of Alaska).
Alaska became a territory of the US in 1912, and became the
49th state on January 3rd, 1959.
Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million by then Secretary of State William H. Seward.
Mount McKinley, the tallest mountain in the world, is in Alaska. At 20,320 feet, it is the highest & tallest mouhtain in North America.
The 2 largest National Forests are located in Alaska, along with the largest glaciers. The Maslaspina Glacier at 850 sq miles is the largest. There are more active glaciers and ice fields in Alaska than all the remaining states combined - 100,000 glaciers in all.
