The name Alaska is based on the Aleut word "alaxsxaq," which literally translates to "object toward which the ocean of the sea is directed," or, more simply, "the mainland."

Location extreme northwest "corner" of North America

Total Area (rank) 656,425 sq mi (1st)
Greatest Distance E-W 2,200 mi
Greatest Distance N-S 1,200 mi
Geographic Center 60 miles northwest of Mount McKinley
Coastline 6,640
Highest Point Mount McKinley; 20,320 ft
Lowest Point Pacific coast; sea level
Mineral Resources petroleum, natural gas, zinc, gold, silver, tin, lead, sand and gravel

2014 Population (rank) 735,132 (47th)
Largest Cities Anchorage (291,826), Fairbanks (31,535), Juneau (31,275), College (12,964), Sitka (8,881), Ketchikan (8,050), Wasilla (7,831), Kenai (7,100), Kodiak (6,130), Bethel (6,080)

Capital Juneau
U.S. Congressional Representation 2 Senators, 1 Representative
Local Administration 25 counties

Principal Industries petroleum, tourism, fishing, mining, forestry, transportation, aerospace
Principal Manufactures fish products, lumber and pulp, furs
Agricultural Products nursery stock, vegetables; seafood, dairy products, livestock

First Explored By Vitus Bering, in 1741
First Permanent Settlement on Kodiak Island, by Russian fur traders, in 1784
Territorial Status Achieved 1912
Admitted to Union (rank) January 3, 1959 (49th)

SEE ALSO
Fairbanks

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SKC Films Library >> American History >> United States: Local History and Description >> Pacific States >> Alaska

This page was last updated on January 24, 2017.