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How much do you know about Alaska? Be a top Wiki contributor: Help us track down the state stats to create the ultimate guide to Alaska.

Population: 670,053
State Capital: Juneau
Statehood: Jan. 3, 1959
Entered the Union: 49th state
Area per person: 1 square mile
State Size: 591,004 square miles (Alaska's land mass is larger than California, Montana and Texas combined.)
Seattle: Dutch Harbor is 2300 miles from Seattle, WA

Get More on the Wild Frontier:


alaska dutch harbor map

Origin and Meaning of State Name: Derived from the Aleut word "aláxsxaq" ...

History and Culture:

Climate:
The the Inside Passage climate benefits from the temperature-moderating influence of the Gulf of Alaska. The summers aren't too warm (60s and 70s), and the winters aren't as cold, as they are inland or in the rest of Alaska. The broad Anchorage-area climate, including the Kenai Peninsula and Prince William Sound, often sees summer temperatures in the mid-70s. Winter temperatures may fall into the -20s and -30s for a short spell. The Interior climate, including Fairbanks and Denali National Park, may have summer temperatures in the 80s or 90s. Winter temperatures may fall to -40 or -50. Northern Alaska's arctic climate is a place of enduring cold in the winter and somewhat higher temperatures in the summer. Western Alaska's climate is influenced by the Bering Sea and the Pacific Ocean, but the inland sections are warm in the summer and cold in the winter.

State Flag:

state flag of alaska

"Eight Stars of Gold on a Field of Blue"
Brief History: Designed by 7th-grade student Benny Benson in 1926.
Adopted: 1927		 State Bird:

Alaska Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus alascensis Swarth)

The Alaska Willow Ptarmigan
(Lagopus lagopus alascensis Swarth)
Adopted: 1955

 State Flower:

forget-me-not

Forget-Me-Not
(Myosotis alpestris)
Adopted:1917
State Song:

Eight stars of gold on a field of blue
Alaska's Flag may it mean to you
The blue of the sea, the evening sky
The mountain lakes and the flow'rs near-by
The gold of the early sourdoughs dreams
The precious gold of the hills and streams
The brilliant stars in the northern sky
The "Bear," the "Dipper," and shining high
The great North Star with its steady light
O'er land and sea a beacon bright
Alaska's Flag to Alaskans dear
The simple flag of a Last Frontier

 State Motto:

"North to the Future"

"...is a reminder that beyond the horizon of urban clutter there is a Great Land beneath our flag that can provide a new tomorrow for this century's 'huddled masses yearning to be free'."
-- Richard Peter,
a newsman and creator of the state motto		 State Nickname(s):

The Last Frontier
State Seal:

alaska state seal
Designed: 1910

 State Tree:

All About Alaska - Deadliest Catch Wiki
Sitka Spruce		 State Fish:

All About Alaska - Deadliest Catch Wiki
King Salmon
State Land Mammal:

moose

Moose		 State Marine Mammal:

All About Alaska - Deadliest Catch Wiki

Bowhead Whale		 State Insect:

All About Alaska - Deadliest Catch Wiki

Four Spot Skimmer Dragonfly
State Sport:

dog mushing, sled race

Dog Mushing		 State Gem:

All About Alaska - Deadliest Catch Wiki

Jade


All About Alaska - Deadliest Catch Wiki		 State Mineral:

Gold

Gold

Major Cities: Juneau (capital), Anchorage, Fairbanks

About Juneau

Population: 30,987
Average summer temperature (July): 65 F (18 C)
Average winter temperature (January): 20 F (-7 C)
Average snowfall: 101 in. (257cm)
Maximum daylight hours (June):18 hours, 18 minutes
Minimum daylight hours (December): 6 hours, 21 minutes
About Anchorage

Population: 260,000
Average summer temperature (July): 60 F
Average winter temperature (January): 15 F
Average snowfall: 70 inches
Maximum daylight hours (June): 19 hours, 21 minutes
Minimum daylight hours (December): 5 hours, 28 minutes
About Fairbanks

Population: 31,324
Average summer temperature (July): 62.5 F (17 C)
Average winter temperature (January):
Average snowfall: 67.4 in
(171 cm)
Maximum daylight hours (June):21 hours, 49 minutes
Minimum daylight hours (December): 3 hours, 42 minutes


Fun Facts:
    • The state's coastline extends over 6,600 miles.
    • Agattu, Attu, and Kiska are the only parts of North America occupied by Japanese troops during WW2
    • Most of the boats on this show Tender for salmon in the summer months in the Naknek and Dillingham region of Bristol Bay.



    National Parks:


    Other Points of Interest:



      Major Industries:
      • Fishing, processing seafood products
      • Mining--oil, gold, zinc, silver, coal, etc...
      • Forestry and agriculture
      • Tourism



      More Resources on the Web: