25 Fun Facts About Alaska
Ah, Alaska! The Last Frontier, as we like to call it up here. If you're planning a trip to this magnificent state, you're in for an experience like no other. Here are 25 fun facts about Alaska that'll surely pique your interest:
Largest State: You bet, Alaska is the largest state in the U.S., covering over 663,268 square miles. That's twice the size of Texas!
Mountains Galore: Seventeen of the 20 highest peaks in the United States are in Alaska, including Denali, the highest peak in North America.
Midnight Sun: In the summer, some parts of Alaska experience up to 24 hours of daylight, while in the winter, some places hardly see the sun at all.
More Coastline: Alaska has more coastline than all the other U.S. states combined, perfect for all sorts of water activities.
Wildlife Haven: You'll find all sorts of critters here—from bald eagles and puffins to moose, bears, and wolves. Great for wildlife photography!
Northern Lights: Ah, the Aurora Borealis. One of the most stunning natural phenomena you can witness, particularly in the colder months.
Dog Sledding: Dog mushing is the state sport of Alaska, and the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is one of our most celebrated events.
Trans-Alaska Pipeline: This 800-mile-long pipeline runs from the North Slope to Valdez and is an engineering marvel.
Russia Sold It: The U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million, or about two cents an acre!
Russian Influence: You'll find Russian heritage in places like Sitka and Kodiak, including Orthodox churches and Russian cuisine.
Unique Capital: Juneau is the only state capital in the U.S. not accessible by road.
Alaska State Fair: Held in Palmer, this event features giant vegetables like cabbages weighing over 100 pounds, thanks to the long summer daylight.
Island Getaways: Kodiak and the Aleutian Islands offer remote, pristine landscapes unlike any other in the U.S.
Farthest North: Point Barrow is the northernmost point in the U.S., where the sun doesn’t set for around 80 days during summer and doesn’t rise for about 65 days in winter.
Glaciers and Ice fields: We're home to around 100,000 glaciers, covering about 3% of the state
.
Arctic Circle: Crossing the Arctic Circle is an achievement many travelers aspire to, and you can do it here.
Natural Hot Springs: Places like Chena Hot Springs near Fairbanks offer a warm reprieve from the chilly weather.
Tidal Changes: Cook Inlet has some of the most significant tidal differences in the world, with some areas experiencing a 40-foot difference between high and low tide.
Yukon River: This mighty river is the third-longest in the U.S. and has a key role in the history and economy of Alaska.
Longest Day: Fairbanks has its Midnight Sun Game, a baseball match that starts around 10:30 p.m. and is played without artificial lights.
The Fur Rondy: This is Anchorage's annual winter festival, which includes dog sled races, snow sculptures, and a host of other activities.
Mining History: Alaska's gold, silver, and copper mines were once the backbone of the economy, and remnants can still be seen in places like Kennicott and Hatcher Pass.
Seaplane Base: Lake Hood in Anchorage is the world's busiest seaplane base, where you'll often see a constant buzz of take-offs and landings.
Whittier: Almost the entire population of this small town lives in a single building, which once was an Army barracks.
National Parks: Alaska has eight national parks, including the famous Denali, Wrangell-St. Elias, and Kenai Fjords.
Whether you’re a nature lover, a history buff, or an adventure junkie, Alaska has something for everyone. Hopefully this list will provide you with ideas as you plan your next trip to Alaska.