The difficulty of finding a balance between conservation and development in an enormous land has been ongoing since the beginning of the 20th century. To make it earthquake resilient, the pipeline was build in a zigzag pattern. Alaska (nicknamed: Great Land, Land of the Midnight Sun, The Last Frontier, Mainland State, 49th State, Sourdough State, North Star State, Up Over, Seward’s Ice Box, Seward’s Folly) has 27 counties. [23], 30. The forget-me-not is the state flower of Alaska. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Wondering how many people live in Alaska? Humpbacks usually travel in a group of 2-15 individuals. For the record, it weighed 97.5 pounds on the scale. 27. Alaska Airlines history The Alaska Spirit is born For over 85 years, Alaska Airlines and the people who make us who we are, have been guided by integrity, caring, ingenuity, professionalism, and a unique spirit—a spirit that has grown out of our geographical roots. Native Eskimo and Aleut tribes inhabited the Alaska area before it was discovered by Vitus Bering, a Dane exploring for the Russians, in 1741.Vitus Bering was the first to map the west coast of Alaska. History Alaska Railroad History. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. In the North Pacific, humpback whales spend their summer months feeding off the coast of California to Alaska. 16. Iditarod trail Sled Dog Race recalls a 1925 medical mission in which a relay of 20 dog teams carried medicine 674 miles in 127 hours to halt a deadly diphtheria epidemic in Nome. [1], 3. 32. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership. Did you know that Juneau is the only state capital that cannot be reached by road? The tremendous land mass of Alaska—equal to one-fifth of the continental U.S.—was unexplored in 1867 when Secretary of State William Seward arranged for its purchase from the Russians for $7,200,000. [2], 29. Wolves have never been threatened or endangered in Alaska.[32,33]. Europeans arrived in the area in the 18th century. Off the extreme western end of the state’s Seward Peninsula, Little Diomede Island, part of Alaska, lies in the Bering Strait only 2.5 miles (4 km) from Russian-owned Big Diomede Island. On June 21, the longest day of the year, there are 18 … The headquarters later moved to St. Petersburg in Russia. [5], 20. At some time between 10,000 and 40,000 years ago, the ancestors of all of America's aboriginal peoples trekked over a land bridge that connected northeastern Siberia with northwestern America. The Alaska Marine Highway gained federal recognition in 2002, when it was named a National Scenic Byway for its scenic, cultural, and archaeological qualities. The first human beings arrived in Alaska about 13,000 BC. The humpbacks migrate when it is time to breed. Thus, technically, Alaska is in both hemispheres. Alaska is home to the largest fishing industry in the United States. In Southcentral Alaska, the quake ripped through the ground and unleashed catastrophic damage to many towns and cities. However, Wyoming has the lowest population of all the 50 states. Did you know that the United States purchased Alaska from the Russian Empire on March 30, 1867, for just $7.2 million dollars? The boundary leaves a patch of international waters, known as the “Doughnut Hole,” in the Bering Sea. 15. The following is a list of ten facts about Alaska. A large male can stand over 10′ tall when on his hind legs, and 5′ when on all four legs. Alaska was home to many native groups including the Aleut, Tlingit and Eskimos. Alaska and Russia are very close by. This feature helps the bird save itself from predators. The history of Alaska dates back to the Upper Paleolithic period (around 14,000 BC), when foraging groups crossed the Bering land bridge into what is now western Alaska. What was needed was a way to transport these valuable goods from interior Alaska to the tidewater. These early hunter-gatherers dispersed, eventually becoming three distinct groups: Aleut, Eskimo, and Indian.Ages passed before overseas voyagers rediscovered Alaska. [1], 2. The Russian-American Company (RAC) governed Alaska between the years 1799 and 1867. A fun fact: it is the only state in the U.S. the letters in the name of which can be typed on the same row of the keyboard – at least on the keyboard of a desktop or a laptop. The Yukon River is the longest river in Yukon and Alaska. Alaska is one of the five states that do not have a sales tax. Smithsonian Channel - Denali, mountain, Alaska, United States, Official Tourism Site of Alaska, United States, CRW Flags - Flag of Alaska, United States, Official Site of the State of Alaska, United States, Alaska - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Alaska - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). [12], 24. The British arrived in 1778 when Captain Cook sai… In addition, most of the continental shelf of the United States lies along Alaska’s coast. Author of numerous articles on Alaskan geography. Please select which sections you would like to print: Corrections? The name Alaska is derived from the Aleut alaxsxa or alaxsxix̂, both meaning “mainland” or “great land.” Indeed, Alaska has an immense area and a great variety of physical characteristics. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters. Denali (Mt. By 1910, 40,000 non-Natives had found their way north. The first Iditarod race to Nome started on March 3, 1973. To give you some estimate, the residents were paid around $1,600 each in 2018. Denali (Mount McKinley) in Alaska is the highest mountain peak (20,310 feet) of the United States and North America. Both Russia and the United States have shown a tacit tolerance of unintentional airspace violations, which are common in bad weather. [13], 34. There are more than 70 potentially active volcanoes in Alaska. Alaska History Timeline Important Dates, Events, and Milestones in Alaska History. Alaska: History. Alaska is the only state in the US with land in the eastern hemisphere. State Nick Name: "The Last Frontier" - the name Alaska is derived from the Aleut word "Aleyska," meaning "great land." By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Did you know that AK ranks first in acres of forested land? Alaska is home to an estimated 7,000 to 11,000 wolves. As with the Klondike gold rush earlier in Alaska’s history, oil shaped the economy of Alaska shortly after statehood. That same year, $0.25 billion in exports was with our free trade agreement (FTA) partners. Alaska, the largest, yet least densely populated US state, was the 49th state admitted to the United States in 1959 after being bought from Russia in 1867. [8], 22. Russia gained a monopoly on the American fur trade and created the Russian-American Company. Apart from playing a vital role for maintaining a healthy ecosystem, these wolves are an important resource for Alaska’s tourism sector. [1,14], 4. And for comparison, that of Hawaii is 72.95 degrees Fahrenheit. Get facts and photos about the 49th state. Alaska Facts. That central location has made Alaska militarily significant since the Japanese invasion of the Aleutians in 1942 during World War II. Tundra—the vast treeless Arctic plains—makes up about half of the state’s surface area. The population near the coast of Alaska migrates to Hawaii and the population in California migrates to Mexico and Costa Rica. Humpbacks are also known for their ability to sing. The Alaska willow ptarmigan is the state bird of Alaska. Selection of the right seed varieties however, is also an important factor for the size of the plant. It is an annual race which is run in early March from Anchorage to Nome. People followed the herds of animal they hunted. The payment to its … More Facts About Alaska. They discovered there was great wealth in Alaska in the form of animal furs. [18], 33. Fast Facts. Alaska joined the U.S. on January 3, 1959. The Alaska earthquake of 1964 was one of the most-powerful earthquakes recorded in the United States. 17. It was also known as the Great Race of Mercy and The Serum Run. Emeritus Professor of Geography, Fairbanks. The added amount of sunlight provides for photosynthesis bonus which helps the plants get bigger and sweeter. Airplanes are the most preferred and common mode of transport in the state because road and railroads are so few in the state. [9], 23. Size Adult bulls average 350-400 pounds (159-182 kg). Alaska Export Facts. Did you know that the humpback whales travel 3,100 miles (with little to no rest) during their annual migration? 11. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Moose can grow to 1,600 pounds with antlers spanning up to 6 feet wide. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System carries oil from North Slope to the port of Valdez, Alaska. U.S. Unfortunately, they also brought diseases to which the native people had no immunity. Denali (Mount McKinley), Denali National Park, Alaska. In fact, mainland Russia and mainland Alaska is approximately 55 miles apart. The abbreviation for Alaska is AK. RAC was a state-sponsored commercial company. Indeed because the state has a great variety of characteristics and immense area. The world population is about 5 million. Did you know that wild Alaskan salmon is a powerhouse of nutrition?[20]. Omissions? Nearly one-third of the state lies within the Arctic Circle, and about four-fifths of Alaska is underlain by permafrost (permanently frozen sediment and rock). Until October 18, 1867, the RAC flag flew over Alaska. Its settlement and exploitation have been hindered by its distance from the rest of the country and by geographic and climatic impediments to travel and communications; Alaska continues to be the country’s last frontier. Historians believe that the people first arrived from northern Asia, coming across the Bering Land Bridge during the last Ice Age. Now go impress your friends with this new found fact. It is also the only non-contiguous U.S. state on continental North America. They produce complex sounds that are similar to a musical piece. [30,31], 8. In 1906 Alaska’s first representative to Congress, a nonvoting delegate, was elected, and in 1912 Congress established the Territory of Alaska, with an elected legislature. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. Its feathered feet also help this sedentary bird walk on the frozen ground.[38]. They weigh up to 1,500 pounds.[10,17]. It became the 49th state on January 3, 1959. It is also the third longest river in North America. 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