Alaska is larger than you could ever imagine. But did you know it’s actually a desert? Yes, you heard that right! Despite the cold climate, some parts of Alaska qualify as a desert. It doesn’t need to be hot to fit that description!
Interesting right? Stick around to discover the 15 most interesting and fun facts about Alaska, the “White Continent.” You’ll be amazed at what else you’ll learn!
15 Fun Facts About Alaska
Alaska is the Largest U.S. State by Area
Alaska is the biggest U.S. state by area, with 665,384 square miles. That is more than two times the size of Texas. It is also larger than California and Montana combined. Its coastline is long, making up half of all U.S. coastlines at 6,640 miles.
However, the population of Alaska is about 731,545 people, which is a very low density of just 1.10 people per square mile. Its coastline is long, comprising half of all U.S. coastlines at 6,640 miles.
Home to the Tallest Mountain in North America
Denali, also called Mount McKinley, is the tallest mountain in North America at 20,310 feet. It is situated in the Alaska Range, within Denali National Park. The mountain has two peaks, but the south peak is the highest. One of the most interesting facts about Alaska is that Denali’s base rises around 18,000 feet from the land below, making it one of the largest mountains by vertical rise.
Photo by John Feng on Unsplash
Alaska Has the Longest Daylight Hours
During the summer, from late April to late August, Alaska has the longest daylight hours in the U.S., known as the Midnight Sun, where the sun stays up for 24 continuous hours. This occurs because of the Earth’s axial tilt.
In places like Barrow (now known as Utqiaġvik), the sun shines without stopping for around 84 days. Fairbanks gets about 70 days of full sunlight, enabling people to enjoy outdoor fun at any hour of the day.
Fun Fact About Alaska: The 2002 movie Insomnia, starring Al Pacino and Robin Williams, was filmed in Alaska during the Midnight Sun. The endless daylight heightens the psychological tension and mirrors the main character’s sleep deprivation.
U.S.'s Longest Coastline
The coastline of Alaska, the longest in the U.S., stretches for 6,640 miles. This results in about 33,904 miles of shoreline including the many inlets, bays, and islands.
In fact, this length is greater than that of all other U.S. states combined. Alaska boasts over 2,600 named islands, making its coastline long and unique with various inlets and bays.
No Sales Tax in Alaska
Alaska does not charge a statewide sales tax, making it one of only four states in the United States that do not impose this tax. The state generates much of its budget from oil revenues.
However, local governments in Alaska can levy sales taxes, with rates ranging from 0% to 7.5% depending on the municipality. Some towns do not tax certain items, such as groceries and prescription drugs.
U.S. State With the Most National Parks
Alaska has eight national parks, the most of any state in the United States. These include Denali, Glacier Bay, Kenai Fjords, Wrangell-St. Elias, Katmai, Kobuk Valley, Gates of the Arctic, and Lake Clark.
They span about 56 million acres and feature a wide variety of habitats. Together, these parks account for approximately 60% of the total national parkland in the U.S.
Photo by Eric Hooper on Unsplash
Aurora Borealis Visible Year-Round
One of the fun facts about Alaska is that the Aurora Borealis, or northern lights, can be seen year-round. The best time to witness them is from late August to mid-April when the nights are long and dark.
Fairbanks is a prime vantage point for this spectacular phenomenon, offering clear skies and plenty of auroral activity The lights are most active between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.
Alaska Has More Than 100,000 Glaciers
Alaska is home to over 100,000 glaciers, though only about 616 have been officially named. These glaciers vary greatly in size and form, from microglacier patches to vast continuous ice fields.
Glacial land covers about 5% of the state or roughly 75,000 square kilometers. Due to the dynamic nature of glaciers, as they advance or retreat, they can break into smaller glaciers, creating even more variations in their size and structure.
Photo by Peter Hansen on Unsplash
Alaska’s Population is Smaller Than Most Cities
Despite its enormous land area, Alaska ranks very low in terms of population density. The whole population is only about 740,000 people, which is less than that of most large American cities. Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska, is home to only 289,000 residents. Just to give you an idea, cities such as Los Angeles and Chicago have populations in the millions.
In fact, Alaska ranks 48th in terms of total population among U.S. states.
Another Fun Fact About Alaska: The Arctic Circle in Alaska is home to Indigenous peoples such as the Iñupiat and Gwich’in, Utqiaġvik. These communities hunt and fish for food, consuming things such as caribou and bowhead whales. Many communities are only accessible by plane or snowmobile, which gives an idea of just how remote life is in this region.
Alaska Has 3,000 Rivers
With over 12,000 rivers, Alaska is uniquely defined by its vast network of waterways. The longest among these rivers is the Yukon River, which stretches approximately 1,980 miles.
Other important Alaskan rivers include the Kuskokwim and Colville Rivers, crucial sources of water, food, and transportation for many communities, especially in areas where road access is limited or non-existent.
Another Fun Fact About Alaska: Alaska has over 3 million lakes, including approximately 3,197 named lakes, along with a vast number that remain unnamed. These lakes vary in size and are found throughout the state of Alaska.
Photo by Zetong Li on Unsplash
Home to America’s Largest Icefield
The Juneau Icefield is the largest icefield in the U.S., covering about 3,900 square kilometers. It sits just north of Juneau, feeding over 40 glaciers, such as the Mendenhall and Taku Glaciers. Also part of the Coast Range, the icefield spills over into British Columbia.
This area has become a center for both research and tourism, with helicopter tours allowing people to observe its vast expanse of ice.
Home to the Most Bears in the U.S.
Alaska hosts about 98% of the entire U.S. brown bear population, with around 30,000 brown bears living within the state, alongside at least 100,000 black bears. The reason for this is that bears thrive in many habitats across Alaska, with some areas offering abundant food. Additionally, large, vast areas of wilderness provide space and stability for local bear populations.
Photo by Pietro Donà on Unsplash
Alaska Has 6 Active Volcanoes
Six of Alaska’s active volcanoes show evidence of activity, among them are Mt. Shishaldin, Pavlof Volcano, and Great Sitkin Volcano. Another fun fact about Alaska is that the state has over 130 volcanoes, many of which are along the Aleutian Arc. Eruptions may affect both local communities and nature itself.
The Alaska Volcano Observatory watches these volcanoes for changes and issues warnings when necessary.
Home to the First Permanent Russian Colony
In 1784, Grigory Shelikhov established the first Russian permanent settlement at Three Saints Bay on Kodiak Island, Alaska. This outpost was part of Russia’s plan to control the fur trade in North America and marked the beginning of Russian settlement in Alaska, which continued beyond 1867.
More recently, the Russian-American Company took control of the colony and expanded trade with the Native inhabitants of the region.
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